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 Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:18 am
[Release and Relief]Gwynna Chirilo Not long after Lorelei has come and gone, Gwynna stood in her place at the door of Blessed Change. Still a bit rattled from her dream, she knocked. "Oqaia? It's.. It's Gwynna. I'd.. like to talk to you about something." Oqaia "Of course Gwynna," she said, putting down the parchment she'd been reading. "Please, come in and take a seat." She smiled at the mysterious gypsy- knowing so little about her. "What's on your mind?" Gwynna Chirilo "Well," she said, not really knowing how to begin. Gwynna sat, needlessly arranging her skirts and scarves to give herself a moment to think. "I.. had a dream. About my past, sort of. And.. why I came here. No one knows me, knows how I used to live..." She shook her head and took a deep breath. "I think, because of the dream.. I should tell someone." And apparently that someone is you, was the unspoken thought. Oqaia "Well," Oqaia began, hardly knowing what exactly to say, "you can always tell me anything. A dream, your past- whatever makes you comfortable." Something about the way she'd emphasized 'how I used to live' suggested Oqaia to say something more. "And know... that I'd never judge you for anything that may have transpired in the past. I could never do that. I've known too little of the world to make judgements," she said softly, smiling at the gyspy. Gwynna Chirilo "Thank you," Gwynna said quietly. She looked down at her hands, at the lovely ring Valelldia had given her. "I was.. a dancer and musician. A woman of ill-repute. Some would call me a whore, a prostitute." The epithets dripped from her mouth as if covered in a foul mud. "I fell in love, or at least, he was besotted with me. He got me pregnant and wanted to marry me." Gwynna paused for a moment. "His parents were.. less than pleased. I don't know what they hated more, how I earned my living, or that I was gypsy. I was forced to leave town. And I.." She took a deep breath. "I lost the baby. She was born and died three days later." Gwynna had never told this to anyone, had never spoken those words aloud. Oqaia She was silent as Gwynna spoke, but by the end, her fingers were paused delicately at her lips, and her yellow eyes were filled with tears. Living life as a prostitute- flung to the arms of those who didn't love her, and who used her... and then, the first sign of true love in her life- an infant so pure and beautiful... it was wrenched away from her as cruelly as anything else in her life. It made Oq's heart weep, and those tears spilled over into her lap. "Oh Gwynna... I'm so, so sorry. To finally find love of such purity and beauty- a true blessing of the meij- it was taken away. I can't imagine such hurt." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna's face was white, her hands freezing cold. "That was about a year ago, I think. I went a bit crazy for a while." She played with a bit of fringe on her skirt, trying very hard not to cry. "But that's what I dreamed, in bits and pieces. I also.. saw a baby in the fire. At the wagon-ordering ceremony. I wished for healing." Gwynna's mouth twisted strangely, something between a grimace and a smile. Oqaia Oqaia nodded. She'd wondered what the strange visions during the wagon ordering ceremony had meant for this sad, mysterious gypsy. Now that she had a glimmer into her world, her feelings were pale- sad and grey. But at hearing that Gwynna had wished for healing... it made her heart soar. "I think that the meij has brought you to the right place for healing," she said softly. "You're a part of us, now. We won't let you fall into darkness." Gwynna Chirilo "Thank you," Gwynna whispered. "It's been good for me to be with you all, to deal with my demons instead of hiding in the woods." She glanced up at Oqaia, a little bit of her former cheer and livelyness in her eyes and around the corners of her lips. "Who knows, perhaps some day the meij will bless me with another child to love and care for." Oqaia The meij is a powerful thing. It spirals and weaves through the world, its invisible strands touching everything, sampling life and emotions with a thirst of a newborn babe. It is the oldest thing in the world, some say... but in some ways, it is forever a perpetual child, yearning to understand what it's like to feel... to be loved. It can only touch our lives, only basically feel these strong sensations- and sometimes, it yearns so much that it must push itself into this world. An object fell from an upper shelf of Blessed Change. It had been so far back that it could not have possibly rolled off on its own- especially not while the wagon was at a standstill. But as the wooden flute hit the floor and rolled to Gwynna's feet... unharmed... Oqaia's eyes lit up in realization. "I think... that's your answer, Gwynna." Oqaia beamed with happiness. She then explained how the meij always touches our life... and that sometimes, some part of it, some entity within the meij desires so much to be loved that it chooses a parent. "You're its mother, Gwynna. It may not seem that way now, but this has chosen you." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna's eyes widened and she leaned forward to pick up the flute, barely cognizant of what she was doing. Her fingers stroked the soft bamboo, memorizing the smooth grain and reassuringly solid shape. "'Chosen me,'" she echoed, an odd smile threatening to break across her face. "Thank you," Gwynna whispered to the universe at large. She lifted the flute to her lips and blew, fingers dancing over the holes, playing a few bars of a haunting and hopeful melody. She smiled. Oqaia Oq closed her eyes to the sound. "Oh, it's beautiful," she breathed. "I can't wait to see what form it takes." She said a silent prayer to the sky- not knowing exactly who or what she was thanking- but for once, she saw the meij not as some entirely foreign entity that rolled through their world... but as something precious and dear... something that would give a woman a second chance at a child, a life... and it lit something up inside her. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna flushed lightly, having almost forgotten she had an audience. "She," Gwynna corrected gently. "Definitely female, I can feel it." She giggled, for once seeming to regain her old vitality. "She's perfect, so full of grace..." Inspiration struck. "And that will be her name. Nusa, grace." She nodded as if relieved to have gotten that little formality out of the way. Oqaia "I'm just... so glad," Oqaia said, and through the simplicity of the words, such complex, unexplicable emotions came pouring through them. She truly was... astounded, and grateful that she had been given this gift of a second chance, a new life with a new baby. Maybe even a daughter, as she was so sure it was. Oqaia just shook her head- she couldn't finish her sentence. ...This world was still so unfamiliar to her, but she was coming into her own a little more every day. ...And the magic, and the suprises were enough to keep her enchanted. Finally, she reigned in the sea of emotions, and gave the pair a smile. "If you have any questions about Fortunettes, just ask me or any of us- we're you're family, and we want to help you in any way we can." Gwynna Chirilo Still holding the flute in one hand, Gwynna leaned forward and hugged Oqaia. "Thank you. Very much." Words could not really express her relief/gratitude/happiness, but the simple gesture seemed to help. "I've needed a new family, and although I was warmly welcomed here several months ago, this.. well, this really seals the deal, as it were." The red-headed Gypsy grinned. "I'll let you get back to your business, but I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. And I'll probably have questions later, once I've had a chance to gather my thoughts." Gwynna rose from her seat, smoothed her skirts out, and tucked the flute into her waistband, held by one of her several scarves.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:31 pm
[The Spotted Sage]Pandara Pan had been so reclusive lately. Some sort of flu had strucken her ill and she had isolated herself from the others in an effort to keep it contained. She had no clue whether the Fortunettes could catch colds but being safe was better than being sorry.
But with some echinacea and eating tons of oranges along with some chicken noodle soup Pan was finally starting to recover. This was her first healthy day.
She was busy cleaning her wagon, straightening the mess she had made of her herbs when Pan walked out to feed her mules and take care of other chores. She had hoped to find some gypsy to socialise with today as she was going completely stir crazy. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna had decided to bypass the current trading opportunity, being significantly low on couplets, and was taking a bit of a walk around the campsite. Her long hair was pulled back from her face by its usual scarf, and the enchanted flute the meij had brought to her was tucked in her waistband. It was just warm enough to go barefoot, so the gypsy was enjoying the feel of soft, new grass under her feet. The snuffling of contented mules caught her attention and she spotted an unfamiliar woman puttering around outside a wagon. Angling towards her, Gwynna smiled and gave a little wave. "Good afternoon!" she called out cheerily. Pandara Pan was grooming Roth and Sheedra's very unattractive mule coats when she heard a voice.
She turned to see the barefooted gypsy, "Afternoon." Pan waved at the woman, "I don't believe we've met before. I'm Pandara but you can call me Pan." Pan had also been barefoot, but she was always that way. Hooves didn't fit into shoes very well. Her horns were not covered this time as she had learned to trust the caravan she traveled with. Gwynna Chirilo "Gwynna," she nodded by way of introduction. "Have you been with the caravan long?" Gwynna noted the horns protruding from Pan's head without blinking. She'd been around long enough not to be phased by much. If a flute could roll off a level shelf, be declared an enchanted item, soon to be a Fortunette child.. what were a pair of horns? The slim woman leaned against the wagon, digging her toes into the soft ground. One hand reached out for the mules to sniff. Pandara Pan nodded, "Nice to meet you Gwynna. I've not been here too terribly long. I've kind of been avoiding contact with others for a short while though. Caught a bit of the flu and wanted to keep that away from the babies."
Pan was starting to like these people and how they wouldn't gawk at her features. She felt like this was someplace she belonged.
Sheedra sniffed the hand and snorted as she found it did not contain a treat. She turned her head indignately. Pan noticed the rude behavior, "Shee, you a**, at least try to be sociable!" She gave a smile towards Gwynna, "So what about yourself, have you been with them... or rather I geuss it's us now isn't it... long?" Gwynna Chirilo "Nice to meet you too. Ahh, sorry you've not been feeling well, but you seem to be better?" Gwynna's voice rose slightly at the query. She rolled her eyes at the mule and gave her a tentative scritch, hoping she wasn't about to get chomped. "I suppose it's been a few months. I tend to lose track of time." She shrugged, one hand straying to her waistband. Pandara Pan nodded, "Yes I'm feeling much better today, first day I felt confident enough to step outside and get a bit of fresh air when people are about." She was obviously overly paranoid about infecting people with her flu.
Pan eyed the mule carefully hopeing as well that she wouldn't chomp Gwynna. But Shee was way too lazy to even bother, she just stepped away from her hand a bit and munched on some grass.
"Do you have a child like the others?" Pan asked. If Gwynna did she would definately wish to meet her. Gwynna Chirilo "That's good to hear." Gwynna smiled and flicked her fingers at the mule, who was clearly not interested in being patted. Suddenly reminded of the flute at her waist, she grinned again. "Not.. exactly. I mean, she isn't a child yet." She pulled out the flute, holding it carefully yet firmly. Pandara Now Pan had seen all sorts of magical things, she had come face to face with a dragon, she had seen alchemist turn lead into gold but she had NEVER seen a object turn into a living breathing... person.
That was why she looked at Gwynna as if she belonged to a nuthouse, "Oh.. huh yeah my. What a lovely flute.... but do you seriously think that she will turn into a child." Pan hasn't been cleared on how the fortunettes worked yet, seeing val only in passing. She laughed nervously. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna blinked. Didn't she know? "Well... yes," she said simply. "I saw a child grow right in front of me at the Wagon Ordering Ceremony. It seems these children, these Fortunettes, begin life as enchanted items. And this flute--" she paused a moment, "is one of them." Her eyes shone with the firm belief of this, no matter how odd it sounded. Pandara Pan thought back to the wagon ordering ceremony and while she did see Anezka grow, she wasn't an object. "Well, I suppose anything is possible." She reached out, "May I?" maybe if she touched it, she could feel if it had magic in it. But the woman did appear to be telling the truth, Pan just wondered if she was a little crazy. Gwynna Chirilo "Yes, you may, just.." Of course the woman would be careful! she berated herself mentally. Gwynna handed the flute over, fingers lingering only a moment to show her brief hesitation and sense of possession. Of course, Gwynna probably was just a little bit crazy; living on her own for over a year, after so much suffering, would make anyone just a bit touched; but about this, at least, she was quite correct. Pandara Pan reached her hands out to hold the flute, taking it carefully in her hands just like Gwynna had asked. "Thanks." She felt a little buzz, like it was warm in her hands and it tickled a tiny bit. She was right, it was indeed magical and even felt like had life within it.
"well, I suppose your right." Pan put the flute up to her lips without hesitation and played a uppity little tune. Gwynna Chirilo The flute trilled, as if happy to be played. Gwynna giggled. "You play?" she asked? It was always nice to find a fellow musician. At least Pandara seemed less skeptical, if not completely convinced. Gwynna herself had found it a bit difficult to accept, even growing up within the Gypsy tradition. But once the little flute had fallen into her hands, she could hardly do anything other than believe. The flute thrummed with magic, and not just the energy that a well-played, well-loved instrument takes on. Pandara Pan put down the flute, returning it to Gwynna, "Yes a little not much and I can only do simple things. Kind of something I was bourn knowing, playing wind instruments." Odd thing that it was, but it had been engrained into every satyrs genetic memory. "Do you play as well?" She would love to hear a true musician right now play an instrument and Pan was excited with the hope that Gwynna could play her a song. Gwynna Chirilo "Oh yes. My specialty is voice and violin, but I can play a flute competently." With that, Gwynna put the flute to her lips and played the same haunting melody she'd performed for Oqaia. The trees seemed to listen in and a gentle breeze ruffled Gwynna's long wavy hair. A moment later, the gypsy smiled into the silence, the flute tucked carefully back into her waistband. Pandara "Wow... that was amazing. If flute isn't your specialty I would love to hear you play the violin and sing." Gwynna seemed rather nice, and seemed to have a magical type of talent. Pan was definately impressed.
"Well, it was nice meeting with you, but I have lots of chores to finish up. I can't wait to see your... little one grow up." It was still an odd thing for Pan to comprehend but in this world, anything was possible. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna smiled, pleased and embarrassed by the praise. "I think it's more the... abilities of the flute, but I try." She pushed her hair out of her eyes and nodded. She should probably get back to her wagon as well. "It was lovely to meet you as well, Pan. I'm sure we'll visit again!" The 'we' seemed to include the flute, and Gwynna's slim hand drifted vaguely to her side. With a saucy grin and momentary dance-step, Gwynna practically skipped away, full of good spirits on a lovely day.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:31 pm
[Favour: Kelp & Clams]Valelldia +This is the last few days we'll be on the river. Collect some water kelp and freshriver clams for us. (40 couplets- must be detailed, slightly longish.) It was another lovely early-spring morning, and rumor had it the caravan would be moving along in the next few days. As such, Gwynna made her way to the riverbank with a large woven basket perched on her hip. The sun warmed her hair and body, dispelling the chill of winter. The girl kilted up her skirts and made sure her long hair was pulled back properly before stepping into the water. The river was cool and clear, the waters moving swiftly from the melting snow in the far-off mountains. Gwynna hissed as the water rose up just short of her knees and wiggled her toes in the mud until her legs were sufficiently numbed. A moment later, a few toes stubbed against exactly what she had been looking for. A clam! Making sure her skirts were kilted up enough, Gwynna reached into the water to pick up the shellfish; her fingers bumped into another, and another. No longer worrying about her skirts, Gwynna scooped up several more at once and dumped them into the basket at her hip. Realizing that shuffling her feet in the mud was an excellent way to dig up clams and save her back some of the effort, the gypsy proceeded to scoot along riverbed. Little fishes nibbled at her toes, making her giggle quietly. She leaned over to collect a half-dozen clams, causing the fish to swim away franticly. She grinned and gathered a few handfuls of green, slimy kelp as well. The riverbed was was full of the stuff, and it only took the traversing of a few dozen yards for Gwynna to fill the basket to the top. She put the basket up on the grass and stretched, her back popping impressively. She rinsed the worst of the mud from her legs and sat on the grass to inspect her haul. The clams ranged from the size of her thumbnail to the size of her palm, and the kelp was in a variety of colors: deep green, brown, red, and almost blue. Gwynna sorted them all out, making a pile of kelp and a pile of clams, and washed it all in the water, which was finally clearing from the spurts of mud she had kicked up. With everything clean, Gwynna lined the basket with the kelp. The clams went in next, the largest ones on the bottom. The load evenly balanced, Gwynna made her way back to the caravan. She stretched out on the sun-warmed wooden steps of her wagon and separated out about a quarter of her haul into a smaller basket that could easily be kept cool. The rest went back into the large one. Gwynna covered both baskets with clean scarves, stowing the smaller one in the coolest corner of The Singing Bird. She poked through her belongings, finally finding a scrap of parchment, a pen, and ink. Outside, Bard grunted, lazily flicking a few flies away from his back. Gwynna scratched between his shoulderblades fondly, then heaved the large covered basket onto her hip. She padded across the campsite and placed the basket in the shade between the wagons of Valelldia and Oqaia. The note pinned to the scarf reads: Valelldia and Oqaia-
Here are some freshriver clams and water kelp, to be distributed amongst the others of our little group. Consider this a favour of my thanks and goodwill to you both.
With love,
Gwynna
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:00 pm
[Willingly Bound, Lovingly Freed]Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna had received a note from Valelldia, pinned to the door of her caravan, requesting a visit. She didn't really know why (and guilty thoughts tugged at her mind: had she done something wrong?), but the girl made her way to Val's wagon. On a whim she tucked the bamboo flute she had taken to carrying with her into its customary place in her waistband. Shifting slightly from one foot to the other, Gwynna knocked on the door. Oqaia Valelldia threw open the door, a beaming smile on the gypsy's face. "Gwynna! I'm so glad you could make it. Please, come in." The gypsy stood back, allowing the woman room to make her way into WhistleStick. "I know it was short notice, but I've been reading the meij, and it gave me the most wonderful news. Your daughter- your Fortunette. ...She is desiring to come forth into her animal form. Oh, please sit down- no need to stand. ...Did you bring Nusa?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna startled a bit as the door was flung open, but she was certainly reassured by Val's expression... and even more by her words. "Oh really?" she chirped, all vestiges of nervousness gone. "I have her right here." Gwynna pointed at the scarves around her waist as she took a seat. "No worries about the short notice; I've just been enjoying the spring weather." Oqaia "Oh, it has been wonderful, hasn't it? I've always been so enchanted with spring. It's one of my four favorite seasons." The gypsy crinkled her deep yellow eyes to let Gwynna know she was kidding. Then she took a seat at her fortune table, her skirts gathered about her and her bangles jingling against one another as she pulled a handful of old, yellowed Tarot cards out of a velvet bag that was hidden in one of the many drawers beneath the table. "I know you've never been through a growth before- but Oqaia tells me that you're open to this life, and to the world of magic. So I'll explain what I'm going to do. I'm going to cast a tarot spread- three simple cards, in the cross position. I'm petitioning the meij to find Nusa's spirit. It is nearby, and very willing to cross over into its new form of life. It requires but one assurance- as all Fortunettes do- that this is where it belongs. We'll discover what that is." Valelldia placed the first card on the table, vertical to the two women. It was the card of Faith. "That is your signifier. It means that Nusa is willing to come, the base of her heart is waiting and loving." She placed the next card above it. It was the card of Seven Swords. "This covers her. This is what binds her still to the world of the inanimate, her spirit to the flow of the meij. It is a card of sorrow, a card of fear. She is afraid that the sorrow that still exists in you will never cease- and that she can never be enough for you." The third and last card, Valelldia placed in a horizontal position above the cards. The face of the moon was revealed. "This crosses her. It is what will inevitably free her from her fear. It is the moon- and in this position, it symbolizes letting go of the night. You have only to tell Nusa... that you love her, and that in this world, she will always be your daughter and you will love her no matter what- and no matter what has transpired in your past." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna wiggled her nose at Val's little joke. Settling down to the business at hand, she replied, "Actually, I saw the little rabbit-girl, I can't think of her name, well I saw her grow at the Wagon Ordering ceremony. But no, I haven't been a part of a growing. Not like this." She clasped her hands in her lap, watching the cards and listening carefully to remember every word. Her back stiffened slightly at the reference to her deep sorrow. Did Valelldia know? Gwynna had only spoken to Oqaia about her past... but the cards were certainly true. The third card came as a relief. Gwynna was more than ready to embrace Nusa as her true daughter, a child of the heart if not of her body. She bit her lip and nodded slowly at Valelldia, acknowledging the message from the Tarot. Oqaia Valelldia looked up from the boon table, her fingers idly tracing the carved rune symbols that strategically dotted its surface. Her tanned finger was trapped in the rune whose symbol spelled out 'forver' in old Dwarfen... and she smiled at the woman. "I know it may sound intimidating... but it's a relatively easy quest. It must mean that your daughter is very anxious to meet you. ...All you need do... is say or do something that will show it that you love it." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna nodded again, slowly, thinking. She drew the flute out from its holding place and let it rest lightly in her slim, nut-brown hands. "My daughter, my Nusa," she whispered, her throat thick with hope and sadness all at once. "I've waited so long for you. You truly are my daughter, in your own right, and.." Gwynna paused and swallowed. "You are not a mere replacement for the one who was lost." Green eyes fiercely holding back tears, Gwynna looked up at Valelldia. Oqaia A Fortunette... is a chlid of fortune- of circumstance... but also of fate. They are nebulous, almost uncomprehensible things. They are spirits within the meij, beings that are so advanced and yet so simple... that they long to know what the world is like. They push themselves forward into the existance of items and animals- infants and children... to see the world from every possible angle. They are magical, they are wonderful... and they are divine. Nusa transformed in the light of her mother's love, simply, beautifully- and without pain. She was not a replacement for what Gwynna had lost- but rather, a reminder that the world was not an ugly place. It was a place of joy and of tears and laughter- it was somewhere that two beings that seemed so different- could want and need each other, and survive under the umbrella of each other's love.  Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna gasped as the flute tranformed in her hands, leaving a small red and white creature in its place. Nusa. Her daughter. The tears that had threatened to spill down her cheeks finally came, not from sadness but from complete and utter joy. " Nusa," she whispered, hugging her close. "Thank you," Gwynna mouthed, ruffling the soft fur and taking in every inch of the little red panda. Nusa chirred happily and nuzzled her mother's cheeks before curling up with her tail around her nose. Gwynna stood carefully, so as not to disturb Nusa, and prepared to take her leave. "I.. I think I'll get us both home," she murmured, her awe and love quite apparent in her voice. Valelldia "May grace and happiness go with you. Congratulations. She's beautiful." Valelldia beamed, and reached forward to place a loving hand on the woman's shoulder before blowing out the candles that sat on her boon table. Gwynna Chirilo With that simple benediction, Gwynna turned on one foot and nearly skipped out of the wagon and back to her own, which seemed even more like 'home' now that she had a daughter to share it with.
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Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:35 pm
The young rabbit girl sat on the floor of the wagon, painting some goose eggs. Once they were dry and she was content with their appearance, she placed them in white cloth bags that her mother made. Opening the door, she snuck out into the night and secretly delivered each egg. drawn and colored by kojiro <3
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 6:55 pm
[Wagon-Ordering, Again]Click
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Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:37 pm
[Meij]
"She is a very gentle, exotic animal who came into her mother's arms very willingly. Thus far, her future seems bright. However- the meij... seems restless."
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:06 pm
[Mystical Happenings][Thread is here.] There has been some wonder in the caravan. Strange things have been happening to the children- Banyas predict things- and there seem to be long-standing mystical plots that involve the children and their futures. Parents get together around the fire one night to discuss/wonder about this.Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna had been in her own wagon, quietly playing a little game with Nusa, when the sound of several voices and the crackling of a fire reached her ears. Nusa sat up on her hind feet, intrigued. "Well, shall we go out and investigate then?" Gwynna asked her little daughter with a laugh. A slight chirrr from Nusa answered her question. The red panda climbed Gwynna's arm carefully and settled on her shoulder, little clawed paws winding into the woman's wavy hair. Gwynna winced and shifted Nusa's weight. Finally situated, the pair exited the wagon and made their way over to the fire, just in time to see Veshengo hurry off. Gwynna raised a brow and sat on a log, lifting Nusa down into her lap. "So," she asked the group at large, "How's the evening going?" Menelie "Aye, the evening's a bonny one," comments Caroline idly. "Just discussin' the fortunes of our bairns. Seems the birds have been talkative lately," she says. Nodding to herself she adds. "Aye, the Meij has something in store for our bittie caravan." Gwynna Chirilo "Oh really?" Gwynna questioned, idly scratching Nusa behind the ears. "Have they anything good to say?" She shifted towards Caroline, awaiting an explanation. Suddenly remembering her manners, she said, "I'm Gwynna, and the little one here is Nusa." Gwynna smiled and the little creature crawled across her lap to sniff at Caroline. Menelie "Welcome," she says, scritching Nusa behind the ears. "Aye, the Banyas always have something good to say. It's best to heed their advice, ye ken? They know things--they're in touch with the Meij." Gwynna Chirilo It took a moment to understand Caroline's speech, but soon enough Gwynna caught the rhythm. She nodded; growing up in a gypsy caravan, she was familiar with the banyas, although she didn't have one for herself. "Yes, of course," Gwynna agreed. "I take it there's been.. news, then, of sorts?" The woman glanced around the fireside at the other caravan-members gathered there. Nusa held Caroline's hand carefully between her paws, sniffing at her skirts and skin. Talking was just noise; having her ears scritched was much more interesting. Menelie "Aye, news there's been. Seems the Meij 'as quite a bit in store for us poor wee gypsies. Our figurin' so far's been that Kale's at the centre of things, ye ken?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna chewed thoughtfully on the inside of her cheek. "I don't believe I know Kale... But I suppose we'll all be affected somehow." Nusa shuffled back over to her mother, demanding affection. Gwynna obliged happily, ruffling the soft red fur and stroking Nusa's fuzzy little ears. The red panda chirred, curling up and wrapping her tail around her body. The gypsy smiled and turned back to Caroline. "Anything else I should know?" she asked, absently stroking the soft bundle of Nusa on her lap. Menelie "The only other thing I can think of is 'woodland choice.' That's been comin' up in quite a parcel of Banya fortunes. We're comin' up fast on Twiggle Forest. We'll have to wait and see if it's annathing, or whether we're just being paranoid." Gwynna Chirilo "Woodland Choice," Gwynna murmured, turning the phrase over in her mind. Her Nusa was clearly a woodland animal; fond of climbing trees and she had emerged from a flute made of a strange wood Gwynna didn't recognize. She also had no Banya bird to spew fortunes; perhaps she would invest in one. Nusa yawned loudly, displaying white teeth and a little pink tongue. Gwynna giggled. "I think that's our sign to depart for the evening." She rose swiftly, expertly transferring Nusa upwards, holding her close to her chest. "I thank you for your information." With a swish of her skirts, the gypsy and her daughter went back to their wagon; Nusa to nap and Gwynna to mull over the fragments of prophecy.
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:09 pm
[New Friends, and Old Ones][Thread is here.] Oqaia The heat of the valleys that had been pressing in like a fog... had eluded the gypsies this past month or so, while they had been in the mountains, up in the cool air. They had taken for granted their blessed cool weather- and realized that they had as soon as they were greeted with a warm wall of air as soon as they reached sea level once more. The caravan had pressed on through the relentless heat- and across the ferrypass to ford The Pythos. Now, however, with the cool air that rolled off the great river and crawled to the south, their journey was much more pleasant. Valelldia was sitting on her wagonseat, ha'ing her oxen and leading her caravan around the city of Enallas. She had the cool breeze and the beautiful day on her mind- today, the meij was thick, and ready to bring something new to these gypsies. The Banyas has sensed it, too- new things were coming, and experiences that could only be created by that mystical source of all life. Valelldia would not be soon disappointed in her sense of the meij. From Enallas, came a flurry of movement, coming down the road. Valelldia calmed her oxen and they slowed as she watched the figures solidify. They were coming nearer- and the dust that they kicked up all around them could only signify one thing- A wagontrain. Gypsies. Oqaia "Ho there!" Valelldia called, rattling the bells on the side of her wagon to let the procession know that they would be mooring their wagons. As she came down from her seat and settled her oxen, the other caravan drew nearer- and by the time Valelldia had called to her large family that their brothers and sisters were upon them, the newcomers were near enough to see. They rumbled in their wagons- all bedecked in their bells and wooden decor- typical wagon finery for a band of gypsies. In minutes, the two lines were connected- nose to nose, arcing out into one large V, connected by the two head wagons. Their oxen were close enough to lick each other's noses. The head of the opposite caravan was a tiny, frail woman, of an age anywhere from 30 to 40- so is the delicate, timeless nature of the gypsies. She lifted herself down from her wagon seat with a staccato grace- looking not unlike a silvery sheath that fell to the ground as her silver skirts and scarves swirled about her. "Greetings, fellow sister! May you ride in freedom, and live in grace. I am Esperita, and this... is my family." Valelldia took the woman's hands and squeezed them with a gentle greeting. "Greetings to you as well, sister. I am Valelldia, and this is my family. We're so happy to see you." Esperita laughed a trill, high laugh. "Have you been so long without other gypsy families? ...We've been travelling here, south of the Pythos for months now." "Yes, we've been travelling- for years now, without the company of other gypsies. North of the Pythos, though. Even north of the Great Sheulan." "Well, that would explain it," the tiny woman said. "And where are you headed next?" "Twiggle Forest. It's the quickest route through to the Port." As Valelldia spoke, her sister came up from Blessed Change to stand behind Val. Oqaia had not seen any gypsies other than these, the men and women she now considered her family- so she felt a little shy, now, with this encounter. "Ah," Esperita replied. "Well, we're headed east of here, unfortunately. It would have been nice to travel with you- but several of our children have destinies that have suggested we go east. That's why we stopped at Enallas- to buy Banyas and other fortune tellers for our use. " Esperita saw Oqaia and some of the others, and smiled. "Will you and your caravan have time to stop with us a while, though? Celebrate our first meeting?" Valelldia smiled. "Yes, that would be wonderful. I think we could stop here, in the shade of Enallas. Oh, I'm sorry. This is my sister, Oqaia. Let us let the others meet each other." Gwynna Chirilo The cloud of dust on the road produced warring emotions of excitement and nervousness for Gwynna. She hadn't been in the company of so many people since she had left the city in shame and fear and hadn't seen so many gypsies together since the time spent with her own family. But Valelldia's caravan was her family now, and if the brilliant Gypsy woman trusted these fellow travellers then perhaps it was all to the good. She settled Bard with his nosebag of feed and scrambled down to the ground. Nusa 'wah'ed from inside the wagon, having been wakened from her typical daytime slumber. Gwynna fetched her strange little daughter, who took her usual perch on Gwynna's shoulder, tail wrapped around her neck and claws latched into her hair. "Come, my darling," Gwynna said softly, shaking the dust of the road from her skirts. "Shall we go for a bit of a visit?' Oqaia Cerces laughed, high and loud. "Oh no! I dont have any children yet! My Mama says I'm still too cheeky to take care of anything but my birds." She took the deep red bird from her shoulder and let it perch on her arm as she held it forward for Irina to see. "I just got him in Enallas. I take care of them, and trade them. He's number 9, right now. Do you like him? I have a few I could be willing to trade- they're not part of my regular aviary. But this one I think I'll keep. He's a special critter." Quote: This is a Trading Opportunity ::Reliability of the Trader:: High ::Item Vouch:: Trusting Word only ^_^ ::Currency:: Gold couplets, Haggling, Item trade ::Item Appearances:: + Snow Crested Banya --- 70 couplets + Snow Head Banya --- 60 couplets + Lilas Banya --- 60 couplets Sizzla Irina gave the banya a pet on the back, her fingers gliding over its crimson feathers. "Wow, he is magnificent!" she said. "What a beautiful color. I hope he brings you good fortune," she said with a smile.
Suddenly, Kal was interested in what the 'grown-up' were doing, and she propped herself up on two feet, sniffing the air as if she was trying to find out the scent of the creature her mother was petting. Irina hadn't even thought of Kal's diet. Perhaps they'd have to keep the bird caged--at least until the little badger was old enough to know not to eat it.
"I've actually been looking for a banya," Irina said, gazing at the girl's wagon and the birds within. "The Lilas is beautiful." She paused, considering which one to get. "They all are actually." She pulled her coin purse up off of her belt and opened it, shuffling around the couplets to see how much she had. "Which do you think is the best for fortunetelling?" she asked the girl, curious to see what her answer would be. "I have a feeling I'm going to need a reliable banya." Menelie Caroline laughs. She'd out on the Filor perfume before she'd left the wagon, and a good thing, too! She blushes modestly and bats her eyelashes. "Aye, well, I cannae be helpin' the heat, no?" She pats Rojiza on the head, preparing to address Trabor's other question. "Valelldia...has said nothing about wee Ro, though her sister Oqaia has discerened three possible paths for her. The Meij tends to be quite cryptic with my little bairn."Rojiza spots a flash of red at the corner of her eye. Uninterested in the adult talk, her eyes fix on the beautiful Banya birds. We already have one, she thinks, But Taog doesn't like Mama much. Maybe she'll let me borrow her purse and I can go get her another. She tugs on Caroline's skirt and points excitedly at the girl with her Banyas. Caroline gives her seventy couplets and bids her to go look, but if they're any more expensive than that she's to come right back. Rojiza, ecstatic, runs off. She had promised to get Rojiza something the next time another trader came up. Once she's closer to the girl with the birds, her eyes are attracted immediately to the creamy blue one. Its feathers, when they aren't blue, are just the same colour as her mother's skin. Hesitantly she reaches out to stroke it. Oqaia "Oh, you like the little snow head? He's a sweet Peach, isn't he?" Edit Altaira offered a smile for the gypsy who'd given them the tip; maybe she'd come back and say hello properly in a minute. "Thanks" Coming up along side Irina, she admired the birds as well. A little nod served as a polite little hello. Her bobcat son was pleased at the sight of the Banya and their keeper, and purred when she put Sindri down. Like Kal, he was paying attention to the avian creatures. "Aren't lilas dependable?" And that one is coloured like Kal's mushroom, she felt like adding, but her sort burst of - probably rude- social attitude had failed her. "...such a nice collection of banya..." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna and Nusa had barely left the shadow of their wagon when Nusa started trilling her peculiar cry and sniffing in the direction of the banyas. The beautiful colors also caught Gwynna's eye, so she made her way over to Cerces, just in time to hear Irina's last comment. "Oh, they are lovely birds," Gwynna said, readjusting her hold on Nusa so the little creature could see them too. With her free hand she felt for her coin-purse, tied to her belt amongst the multitude of scarves she wore around her waist. Oqaia "Thank you!" Cerces chirruped. "All three of these are for sale." Sizzla "Aaah, I would need a dependable banya," Irina said to Altaira, eyeing the Lilas. She had taken note of it's coloration, and she thought that perhaps it was an omen of sorts. She should just take the Lilas, and be done with it, she knew. It was meant for her--she could feel it.
"Would you take 55 couplets for the Lilas?" she asked Cerces, hoping the girl would haggle with her a bit. She didn't have all that much money, so if she could save a few couplets here and there, she would definitely try.
Kal sniffed at the newcomers as they arrived, and Irina gave Gwynna and Nusa a smile. "Hello. She does have beautiful birds, doesn't she?" Oqaia "Fifty-five? Well, if no one is willing to offer the 60, yes." Edit "And if it isn't too much trouble, once you're done trading..." Altaira had her eyes on the pretty Snow Head. She watched the haggle with interest, loving trading with a flare she usually reserved for those under her wing; Dan, Pearl and now dear Sindri. And maybe now a Banya if she had some luck. Menelie Rojiza nods with a small smile. She wonders how she's going to manage this without being able to speak. She holds up a couplet with a question in her eyes--How much? Oqaia "Er, for the little snow head? 60." She pointed to the three birds and gave their prices. "60... 60... and 70." Oqaia "Best for Fortunetelling? Well, they're all quite good- the Snow Head is a bit more ranging in the sort they tell... the Lilas isn't very cryptic, but at least it's consistent. This one is actually a Snow Crested and Fire mix- thus the crimsony, almost purplish coloring in some light. So it would give some interesting fortunes, I'd warrant." Cerces seemed pleased in the attention given to her new purchases, and she nodded. Her blonde curls bobbed about her face. "Mm, yes. Dependable, but not very cryptic. Simple critters, but sweethearts." Sizzla Irina listened carefully as Cerces described the birds, and she waited to see if anyone else would be willing to pay more. Should she forget about haggling and give her the sixty couplets? The banya was awfully nice, she thought looking down at Kal, who was seemingly staring at the green and purple bird.
"Oh, I'll go ahead and just give you the entire sixty," she said, pulling the couplets from her coin purse. "I'm sure you can use the money as much as I can." She handed the money over, giving the girl a smile. "Plus, I think Kal's become attached." Edit Altaira's heart skipped a beat, a little disappointed. But Rojiza had chosen the Peachy bird as well and offered first. Such was the way of trading and she'd not try to outbid a fellow gypsy of her wagontrain. The third bird...could be trouble but it was a cross and intrigued her. A mix. Hmm. It was rather pretty and any fortunes to be had would help. Even if it was bad tempered she was sure she'd grow fond of it too. "Could I perhaps buy the third Banya, the mix, please. The full 70." Manners forgotton, she asked before anyone else could enquire about it's purchase. Menelie Delighted, Rojiza nods to the woman and extracts sixty couplets out of her seventy. Feeling generous, she adds an extra one with a friendly smile. They really are lovely birds. She strokes her new friend's crest again, feeling its soft feathers against her finger. She wonders whether it's a boy or a girl, but can't figure out an appropriate gesture.
Struck by inspiration, she kneels down and doodles in the sand--a little girl with a dress and a stick-figure boy. She draws a question mark below and points again to the Banya. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna smiled at the other women, but before she could make an offer for any of the birds, it seemed they were all spoken for. Or.. signed for, in the case of the squirrellish child. She hung back a little, a tad disappointed. Ah well, there would be other opportunities. Oqaia Kidra, who had just watched Silver take Stefan to Valelldia, waved a single goodbye to the deer she'd taken care of for so many months. And then, she saw a longhaired, fiery redheaded gypsy standing near where Cerces had just disposed of her flock. "Greetings, friend," the gypsy said- a more genial greeting than the one she'd given Silver. "You're standing all alone, over here. Are you quite alright? ...Oh, where are my manners? I am Kidra." Gwynna Chirilo "Greetings, sister," Gwynna replied, holding up one hand to press palms with Kidra. "Oh yes, I'm fine. I just missed out on those beautiful banyas. Nusa here brought them to my attention." As if the mere mention of her name could wake her from her light doze on her mother's shoulder, Nusa lifted her head and chirruped at Kidra. She sniffed at Kidra; this new person had all sorts of interesting smells. Gwynna smiled proudly at her little daughter. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kidra. I am Gwynna and this little one is Nusa." Oqaia "Oh, such a sweet little one. Such an unusual animal, too." Kidra smiled up at Nusa's mother. "She'll likely be quite a unique child. I'm sure you can't wait to see her smiling face. ...That always does it, you know- that sweet baby face. Grabs at your heart and won't let go." Kidra was feeling a little sad that Stefan had returned home... but at least she knew that he was in the right place. Even though she had become fond of the Persian Roe Deer, there was little place for him with her. She was not meant to be his mother- and the meij knew it. He would never be blessed with his next form until he found his true mother or father. "But aren't you headed into the Twiggle? There are many Banyas there, deep in. You could catch a Wild." Gwynna Chirilo "She is a sweet one," Gwynna agreed readily, her love and pride evident in her voice. "Hardly any trouble at all. And I do look forward to her growing, but I don't think either of us are in much a rush." She stroked Nusa's soft fur and white fuzzy ears. Nusa chirred quietly at the mention of the forest. She liked forests and part of her magical essence seemed to know that Twiggle would be an Interesting Place. Gwynna thought about that suggestion for a moment, biting her lip softly. "We are headed into Twiggle, but I don't know if I would really want a Wild Banya. It.. it doesn't seem right, somehow." Oqaia "Well, most of them are Wilds, actually. Only a few breeds- the Fire, and the Lilas, and a few other mottled ones, are bred in towns and by breeders. The rest are all from the Wild. And only Fortune Banyas really crave the wild- they're the most likely to fly away, I believe. But the others truly enjoy having someone to read for. There are a few cases of a Banya being Wild for so long, that they catch every meij fortune that blows by on the wind- not having a specific person to catch fortunes for, so they capture them all... and go insane. ...Which can be an interesting bird to have, but still- a little overwhelming." Gwynna Chirilo "Oh really?" Gwynna said, considering the gypsy's words. Her own family's Banya had been a very calm Lilas, purchased from a passing trader. Gwynna had liked the bird, but had always sort of taken it for granted: It was always there, and relatively straight-forward. She had always sort of had the impression that the Meij wasn't particularly interested in her. And when she lost the daughter of her body it seemed the Meij had either forsaken her or was unbearably cruel. Nusa pulled herself into a sitting position, using her mother's ear and hair as a support. The brief pain pulled Gwynna out of her rather unpleasant ruminations. "That would be overwhelming," she finally managed to respond. "So, ah, how long have you been with this caravan? Do you have a Fortunette child of your own to care for?" Oqaia "Oh, I've been with this caravan since birth- I'm one of the few who didn't come to the gypsy lifestyle from another life." But as to the question of a child, Kidra seemed... downcast, somewhat. "No, I'm afraid I've never been blessed with a Fortunette. I was the caretaker to a child for a while, but... it wasn't meant to be. He's not with me, anymore." Her eyes alit on the now seemingly distant speck of Stefan, where Valelldia and Silver welcomed him home. "Even if it wasn't meant to be... it still hurts, to have a child taken away." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna nodded. "I'm new to Valelldia's caravan, but certainly not to the gypsy lifestyle." She thought for a moment and laughed. "Although I supposed I'm not really new anymore; I've been with the caravan for nearly a year now." Kidra's final remark provoked a sudden about-face in Gwynna's expression and stance. She seemed to curl in on herself, only staying upright so as not to disturb Nusa. "Yes," Gwynna said quietly. "Losing a child is.." Words failed her. How could she possibly describe the despair, anger, loneliness, and crushing sadness? "It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy," Gwynna finished, green eyes bright. Oqaia Kidra heard the sorrow, and how deeply embedded it was in Gwynna's words. She put a comforting hand out, resting it on the gypsy's arm. "I'm sorry, semita. For anyone, losing a child is such a tear to the soul- but for a gypsy... it can destroy us." Her eyes alit upon Stefan, and she thought... how far away he seemed. "They are our future, and our past. What can exist without the two?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna smiled at the Gypsy's hand resting on her arm and followed her gaze to Stefan. She had missed the return of the deer, preoccupied with the Banyas and Kidra. "True; without the past or future, the present is ill-defined.' Before Gwynna could continue, Nusa pulled herself up into a sitting position, tugging mercilessly on her mother's hair. "Ow!" Nusa chittered a complaint into her ear. "Well! In this present, it seems that my delightful daughter wants a snack, so I think we'd best get her sorted out," Gwynna said, laughing. She clasped both of Kidra's hands in hers. "It was lovely meeting you, and perhaps the Meij will bless you with a child of your own someday." Oqaia "It was wonderful meeting you as well, Gwynna. And your little one." She gave the young woman's hands a squeeze, then winked at the little red panda. "The meij seems a little restless for her. Perhaps it will bless me, as well. Good travels." And with that, Kidra returned to her wagon, wondering if she'd ever see any from this wagontrain again. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna turned her head to peer at the animal-child on her shoulder who simply churred and gave her a quick lick on the nose. Gwynna giggled and rolled her eyes. Oh, the meij was a mysterious force for them all! With a final wave, Gwynna turned back to The Singing Bird to get her restless daughter something to eat.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:27 pm
[Meij]
"Bright future- such a restless, churning meij. What do the winds have in store for the bairn?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:18 pm
[Vision]Oqaia They were still in the woods- long after Valelldia said they should be free of them. Surely, the fae were playing tricks on their humble caravan. But- to Oqaia- no matter. There were more pressing things to realize. ...Like the dream that had come to her- only the night before, painting a very vivid yet puzzling picture, all the same. She knew only to go to Gwynna- and try to explain. It was mid-morning, and the caravan was still moored, giving the gypsies a chance to eat from the firepot and talk a while before the train began to move once more. In this assemblage, Oqaia found Gwynna. "Hello. ...Do you mind if we, speak for a while?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna looked up at Oqaia, a puzzled expression on her face. "I don't mind at all. Shall we go to my wagon?" The gypsy stood and shook out her skirts. A moment later found the two women at the entrance to The Singing Bird. Gwynna motioned for Oqaia to enter and have a seat. Nusa had been sleeping, curled up in Gwynna's bed amongst the blankets with her tail wrapped around her nose. The gypsy ran a dark hand down the little creature's spine; Nusa cheeped sleepily but did not wake. "Is something the matter?" Gwynna asked, sitting lightly next to Nusa. Oqaia "Nothing is... the matter, so much as I had a dream that involved you- well, Nusa, really- and I wanted to ask you some questions. ...Have you ever been to the east? Near the swamps, or beyond?" Gwynna Chirilo "A dream?" Gwynna repeatedly, curiosity peaked. She shook her head. "I've not been much farther east than Mulden." Oqaia "Oh." Oq said- not so much surprised as disappointed. There had been a hope in her mind that her dream could have been explained away. But she was not surprised that the meij would not let her free so easily. "Well- I had a dream, like I said. And... I think it was you. I know it was Nusa, as well. She I could see. But you were... fuzzy. Maybe... different? Anyway- we were in the east. I could see swampland, but it could have been on the edges. And there was a great joy and sorrow in the air- and Nusa was being called the daughter of a queen. It was a very vivid dream, but I don't understand it at all. Do you know what it might mean at all?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna pulled the still-sleeping Nusa onto her lap, green eyes steady on Oqaia. After a few minutes spend in considerig silence, the gypsy woman shook her head. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I have no idea what such a dream could mean. I know little of queens; only of minor nobles trying to assert their dominance over anyone below them." Her voice was slightly bitter as the memories rose in her mind-- Shade offering to marry her, his parents forbidding any such thing, and Gwynna's subsequent departure from society. The tension woke Nusa, who was usually quite aware of her mother's emotions. She peeped softly and sniffed at Oqaia, curious about the woman but reserved enough to stay firmly planted in Gwynna's lap. Oqaia "Well... I suppose it will have to reveal itself, then, as a dream of truth or as the flack of my sleeping mind." She gave a small smile- but did not truly believe such a vivid picture could have been anything but the saying of the meij. "There was one further aspect of the dream. Nusa was young again- and she took from her three mementos from the forest. One was smooth and shining- and very specific. One was related to another Fortunette... and the other was taken from the forest itself. I think... that was a symbol of what was needed to grow. Nusa has too long enjoyed this calm, easy lifestyle- and especially as we leave these woods, she will need something to remind her of this place- that is not her old form." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna nodded slowly. "Smooth and shining," she murmured, considering. "A stone of some sort, perhaps? And something to remind her of the forest..." As for something relating to another Fortunette, Gwynna was stumped. The pair still knew relatively little of their sisters and companions. "I will think on this," Gwynna said finally, "And keep my eyes and ears open." She smiled. "Have you anything else to share?" Oqaia "Not... that I can think of," Oq said with a faint smile. But she did chime in about Gwynna's realization. "A stone. ...Perhaps Silver still has some- from that... incident that the girls had." She reminded herself- she would have to go and speak with them, or have Valelldia do so. Gwynna Chirilo "What.. what happened to those girls, anyway? I missed some of the goings-on; I didn't want to be in the way." Or for Nusa to be hurt or stolen, Gwynna added mentally. Oqaia "...I... don't entirely know, myself. I'm afraid to say I wasn't really myself during the recent events in these woods." She looked down- into her lap, then off into the darkness of the tress, rather than meet the other gypsy's eyes. "Valelldia dealt with it, I believe. But I think they were just fighting over something. This place has us all on edge." Kimie Kitty Gwynna nodded slowly. "I see. At least Nusa seems to have been content here." She smiled down at the red panda on her lap, who had curled up and fallen asleep again. "Thank you, sister, for coming to me with your dream," the gypsy said formally.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:12 pm
[Token]
Gwynna sat on the steps of her wagon, whistling a simple tune on a wooden flute. Nusa was playing at her feet, having created some complicated game which seemed to involve moving twigs from one pile to another. If there was any pattern, Gwynna certainly couldn't figure it out, but Nusa was enthralled. The gypsy woman smiled fondly at her daughter. She was such a clever little girl, with her hand-like paws and bright eyes.
The flute lay loosely in Gwynna's hand, the woman intrigued by Nusa's movements. A soft chittering broke into Gwynna's reverie. She looked down to find Nusa up on her hind paws, propping herself up on Gwynna's knees. The red panda seemed pleased with herself; she dropped something small and round into Gwynnna's lap.
Curious, the gypsy woman picked up the object. It was smooth and golden, with whorls of darker brown. A little piece of amber. Nusa must have come across it while foraging for the perfect twigs for her game. Not just any twig was appropriate!
"This is lovely, Nusa," Gwynna said, her voice admiring. "This... we will keep this, and when you're a big girl, we'll make a pretty necklace or something for you, alright?" She smiled and scratched the thick russet fur between Nusa's shoulderblades.
Nusa chirped happily and clambered into her mother's lap. Very carefully, the little creature reclaimed the amber droplet and clasped it in her dark paws.
This was something Special. And it belonged to her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:14 pm
[Silver]SilverDragon285 "Mama..." Silver was sitting on the bed, trying to get Khevashi to sleep when Aisrhan spoke. "Hrmm? What is it, hon?" Aisrhan looked down at the ground and then sheepishly back up at her mother. "Can I have my doll back now?"
Silver's eyes narrowed. "It's only been a few days, Aisrhan. I told you she was going to be mine for a while. You don't get her back until I decide you deserve it."
"But mama!"
"NO. Do not ask me again, or you may not see her again. Period. Do you understand me?"
Aisrhan looked at the floor again, then rushed over to plop down in her bed. She quickly rolled over to face the wall and did not speak again.
Silver thought she heard a growl, but ignored it. She sighed and continued to rock Khevashi. The girl had to learn that her way was not the only way.
Finally, Khevashi's breathing slowed as he drifted off to sleep and Silver lay him down on the bed, propping his head on her pillow and covering him with a blanket. She then went outside and sat on the steps in front of the doorway, the door propped open in case her children should need her. Gwynna Chirilo It took some asking around, but Gwynna finally figured out which wagon in the caravan belonged to Silver. She set off alone, having left Nusa safely asleep in her own wagon. With any luck, her errand wouldn't take very long, and Nusa was a heavy sleeper during the most trying circumstances. Twisting her hands behind her back, Gwynna approached the woman sitting on the steps of the indicated wagon. "Pardon me, sister, are you Silver?" she asked with a smile. SilverDragon285 Silver smiled in return and nodded her head. She had seen this woman several times since she joined the caravan, but they'd never really had a chance to speak to one another. All Silver knew was that she called herself Gwynna.
"Why, yes, I am. What can I do for you this evening... Gwynna, is it?" Gwynna Chirilo The gypsy woman's smile widened. "Gwynna, yes. I'm sorry we haven't had the chance to meet yet, but I have a... a rather odd request." She held out one dark hand to shake and joined Silver on the steps. "Oqaia came to me the other day with a dream about Nusa..." SilverDragon285 Silver shook Gwynna's hand and moved over to allow more room on the step for her guest. "Oh? Well, it never hurts to ask, even if it's an odd question." Silver had never minded odd requests, but these days when dreams were involved - especially ones from Oqaia or Valelldia - she became a bit wary. "I must ask, though... You said it was about Nusa, but does this dream of hers involve Aisrhan or Khevashi?" Gwynna Chirilo "Not exactly," Gwynna admitted. "Oqaia mentioned Nusa having some items in her possession, and one of them was 'smooth and shining.' I suggested a stone of some sort, and Oqaia said perhaps it meant one of the stones you might have." She watched Silver carefully for her reaction, remembering how vague Oqaia had been regarding the "incident" in the forest; perhaps it would be somewhat of a sore spot with her. SilverDragon285 Silver's smile faded, the image of her daughter sinking her razor sharp fangs into Vanna's leg still fresh in her mind. She had been bitten by those fangs once herself, but it had been out of fear and Aisrhan had only wanted to be put down so she could hide from Val. When she bit Vanna, it had been intentional, and malicious. Silver tried not to think about what that might mean. The meij might grant her actual venom one day. That bite wouldn't be so "harmless" then.
"Um... yes... Aisrhan found some stones around the time that we had all the trouble with the fairies. They're quite beautiful, really." Then she mumbled, "So much trouble for such little things..." Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna bit her lip and glanced at Silver out of the corner of her eye. "Would it be too much to ask if Nusa could have one?" she ventured. "I know we've only just met, but.. If Oqaia's dream was from the meij, and the stones you have are like the one she saw..." She shrugged. "It just seems important, although I certainly have no idea why they would be," Gwynna finished lamely. SilverDragon285 "Oh, it's fine." Silver attempted a new smile, hoping to put her guest at ease. "I certainly wouldn't mind parting with those stones. Give me a moment and I'll go get one for you." She retreated into Weathered Melody and walked over to the cabinet where she was keeping Aisrhan's doll and the pouch of stones. Silver opened the cabinet door and reached in to grab the pouch. She retrieved one of the gleaming stones and closed the cabinet again. Silver got halfway to the door before she felt a pair of serpentine eyes on her back. She turned, half expecting Aisrhan to be asleep, but knowing that she wasn’t. “Mama... what are you doing?”
Silver sighed. “I’m giving one of these cursed things to Gwynna. Oqaia dreamt that Nusa would need it.” She didn’t get one more step toward the door before Aisrhan jumped out of bed, a look of shock on her face. “But Mama! It’s mine!” she hissed. Her red eyes flashed indignantly. “Aisrhan, be quiet! You’ll wake your brother.” Silver looked over at her sleeping son. He didn’t move. She continued in a hushed voice. “We’ve talked about this. You said the tree told you they weren’t for you.” Silver walked over to her daughter, but Aisrhan flinched when her mother touched her arm. Her patience running low, Silver set the stone down on the table and picked up Aisrhan, sitting in a chair with the girl on her lap. “Ais, how do you know that you weren’t meant to pick up all those stones to give them to other people?”
”I...”
”You don’t, now, do you?”
Aisrhan folded her arms angrily and pouted, but reluctantly shook her head.
”That’s right. Now, you are going to go out there and give this one to Miss Gwynna yoursel-“
”But MAMA!”
”Yourself,” Silver repeated angrily when Khevashi began to cry. Silver set Ais back on the floor of the wagon and shoved the stone into her hand before pointing toward the door. Aisrhan thrashed her tail against the floor in protest as she slithered toward the doorway. Silver hoisted Khevashi into her arms and rocked him gently, in an attempt to stop his raucous squalling while following Aisrhan to the door.
A young blonde-haired snake child appeared in the doorway behind Gwynna. “Miss Gwynna?” Aisrhan stared down at the steps grumpily. "Mama said I had to give this to you." She looked back at Silver, thinking that maybe if she asked one more time she would be able to keep it. Her mother merely nodded and Aisrhan knew there was no room for compromise. She slowly extended her hand and held the stone out to the gypsy perched on the wagon step. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna stood up swiftly when she heard Khevashi's crying and the faint sounds of an arguement from the inside. She began to think this had been a bad idea, when a sulking snake-girl approached her and reluctantly held one of the highly-disputed stones. Before Aisrhan could change her mind or dash away, Gwynna accepted the stone and slipped it into the bag she wore on her belt. "Thank you," she told her, bobbing her head in a sort of bow. "I know it's no fun to give your possessions to strangers, but..." Gwynna shrugged to show her helplessness when it came to the whims and wishes of the meij. Her eyes flicked up to meet Silver's. "Well. I hope we won't be such strangers in the future, Silver. Should you and your family wish to visit me and Nusa, you are all quite welcome any time." SilverDragon285 Aisrhan grumbled, "Yeah," and dashed back into the wagon. Khevashi was still sniffling, but was pretty calm as Silver continued to rock him in her arms. "I'm sorry you heard that, Gwynna. Aisrhan's attitude has been... pretty poor lately." She frowned. "Maybe someday soon, when she's more willing to behave herself, she and Khevashi could meet Nusa. I really think she'd like that, even if she won't admit it." Silver winked. "Anyway, I'm glad I could help, and it was really nice to finally meet you," she said, smiling once more. She shifted Khevashi, freeing an arm so that she could reach out to hug Gwynna. "You're always welcome in my home as well. If you ever need anything at all, just ask." Gwynna Chirilo "That would be wonderful, especially if Nusa is to grow soon." Gwynna returned the hug, giving Khevashi a quick pat in the process. "Thank you again," she called out, as she skipped down the steps and back to The Singing Bird. For all the trouble those stones had caused in the past... perhaps this one could be redeemed. [Fin]
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:57 pm
[Gifts]Menelie Rojiza had gotten bored, just sitting in the wagon, and decided to fashion a little lead for the Banyas. They seemed bored, all cooped up in their cages, and so she'd worked long and hard on them, and today was the day she'd decided to try them out. She sinches the loop gently around Taog's scaly ankle, as he seemed the least likely to try and escape--he liked Ro, it seemed-- and the other end of the long leather string to her wrist.
Wandering around in the camped wagon circle, she lets the string out to let Taog fly around. He lets out a low cry of happiness before soaring as high as the lead would let him. He then circles back down and settles stoically on Rojiza's shoulder, nipping affectionately at her ear.
Rojiza smiles, and then comes across a gypsy she doesn't know very well, sitting on the steps to her wagon. She's holding a furry red-brown creature that must be her Fortunette daughter. Rojiza approaches them, tipping her head curiously at the animal. She'd seen the pair around, and knew that the Fortunette's time to transform into an infant was drawing near. Gwynna Chirilo Nusa chittered a greeting at Rojiza, her dark eyes entranced by the Banya on her shoulder. She stood up on Gwynna's lap, sniffing intently. The red panda sneezed and Gwynna giggled. The red-headed gypsy smiled at the little squirrel-girl. "Well hello there. What's your Banya's name? He's a lovely one." Menelie Rojiza starts a little at the direct question. She'd forgotten not everyone knows. Sitting down beside the gypsy, she leans down and writes in the needles on the forest floor: TAOG.
She looks back at the gypsy woman and gives the fuzzy thing a friendly scritch behind the ears. Gwynna Chirilo "Oh!" Gwynna exclaimed, watching her arrange the needles carefully. "Taog," she read, scooting over slightly to give Rojiza more room. "I'm Gwynna, and this is Nusa. What's your name?" She leaned forward and cleared off a spot in the dirt with her foot. Spotting a small twig, she handed it to Rojiza- it would make a much better writing utensil. Nusa chirred happily at Ro and gave the little girl's fingers a tentative lick, still keeping an eye on Taog. Menelie Rojiza giggles, put into a better state by Nusa's greeting. She thankfully takes the stick from Gwynna and scratches her name into the dirt. She smiles at Gwynna and points at it.
Taog blinks his sharp eyes at Nusa before ignoring her completely. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna squinted at the letters and decided she would probably mangle it. "Ro," she said with an apologetic grin. "It's very nice to meet you. Did you make that lead for Taog yourself?" Nusa pouted for a moment at being ignored by the bird and relegated him in her mind to a (very short) list of Things Not To Be Bothered With. Distracted by the pointing and gesturing, she climbed down Gwynna's legs and scratched in the dirt with her claws. Of course it didn't produce anything other than a few meaningless lines, but Nusa looked proudly up at Ro and squeaked. Menelie Ro curtsies politely for Gwynna before nodding with a certain amount of pride. She's glad someone noticed. She giggles at Nusa's attempt at writing. Soon, little one, she thinks to herself. She gives the red-brown creature an appreciative pat on the head. Gwynna Chirilo Nusa nipped gently at Ro's fingertips and then gathered up some of the twigs and needles that had been cleared away. She arranged them carefully, chittering to herself and occasionally glancing at Gwynna or Ro for approval. Gwynna watched, proud of her daughter's efforts even though the patterns didn't hold any specific meaning for her. "It's just something she does," she explained with a shrug. "She doesn't show just anyone; I think she likes you!" The gypsy grinned, her green eyes glinting in the sunlight. Menelie Rojiza smiles and nods with approval at Nusa's efforts. She pulls off one of her large bangle bracelets and slips it over Nusa's little head, giving her an affectionate pat. There. Now they're friends. Gwynna Chirilo Nusa poked at the bangle with her nimble paws, trying to get a better look at the jewelry. A smile spread across Gwynna's features. "Thank you, Ro, that's very nice of you. I'm sure Nusa will take very good care of it." Oqaia The meij... is an ever swirling, ever changing force. All in the same moment- it can be- stable, chaotic... patient... and eager. It is beautiful and kind- yet... ugly in it unforgiving nature. It is the force that moves us all, as gypsies- as men and women and parents and lovers. In our eyes is the curiousity of the meij- in our hearts, the love. In our darkest minds are our terrors, are fears, and our wickedness. We are what we are made, but also, what we strive to make ourselves become. And Nusa- all at once- became what, in a way... she had been all her life. 
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Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:35 pm
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