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There you are! - Nyiim & Niadra

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Gypsy Sisters - Pahana & Niadra

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She had to do it again, and she didn't want to. Her mother could tell as they packed that Niadra's heart wasn't in it like it use to be. Where once she would run around, talking to everyone and making jokes that if they didn't hurry she would leave them behind, today she was just going with the motions. Just putting things were they belonged, and looking back at the village more times then she normally would. After a few minutes her mother put her hand on Niadra's shoulder and turned her around to face her. "Nia, what is wrong." she asked with a worried face. Niadra shook her heard and turned around to go back to packing. Her mother shook her head and frowned. "Nia I'm speaking to you, don't ignore me. That can wait. Come on." she said putting her hand on her shoulder once again but then forcefully moving Niadra to walk away from where they were packing and towards a few chairs that hadn't been packed up yet. With a sigh Niadra did as she was told and sat down in a chair opposite from where she knew her mother would be sitting.

As she had assumed her mother sat across from her and crossed her arms, staring at Niadra and not saying a word for a little. Well if she thought that Niadra was going to talk first she was very wrong. Niadra had all day, she wasn't in a hurry to leave, not today. "Nia what is wrong, and don't tell me nothing because I am your mother and I know you better than that." Niadra was about to say just that, that nothing was wrong, when she saw the look in her mother's eyes. The look that said that Niadra better fess up or she was going to be in trouble. Although Niadra wasn't a little girl anymore, a small part of her still feared punishment from her mother. "This time is different Ma. I miss him already, and I haven't even gone anywhere yet. I've always missed him, but this time it's a different kind of missing..." She finally confessed. Once she had it was like a weight was lifted off her chest. She felt freer, and it was nice. Finally she told someone, she didn't exactly tell her mother her feelings towards Nyiim but she was sure that her mother would understand from the little that she said.

She looked down, waiting for her mother to say something and trying to think of what her mother was going to say. Would she tell her that she was being foolish? That Nyiim wasn't one of them, wasn't a traveler, and therefor her dreams of him were pointless. Was she going to scold Niadra for even thinking of settling down when she was meant to see and preform for the world? There were many things that her mother could say, and the one thing she wasn't prepared for was what her mother said. "Than stay. Stay here with him if you think you will miss him that much." As Niadra's jaw dropped her mother got up and went to start packing again. Clearly her mother had lost her mind, Niadra jumped out of the chair and rushed over to her mother.

"Stay? What do you mean stay? Stay here? But than who would take care of you and Pa? Who would be the lead in the dances, there are so many that I only know. And singing, no one can hit the high notes like I can. Sure there are a few promising voices but they won't be ready for at least another year." she said as she grabbed her mother's arm in alarm. She had expected her mother to convince her to go, not to tell her to stay! Niadra felt her mother shaking before she heard the laughed and cocked her head in confusion. "Ma...." she said slowly as she moved to stand in front of her mother. Surely her mother had lost it, surely the thought of Niadra not traveling with them had caused her to go crazy?

"You see little one, you thought you were confused about what to do but the second I suggest that you don't come and travel you freak out. Isn't that answer enough? I know how you feel about Nyiim, everyone does, but I also know how you feel about your passion. Your passion for dancing, singing and just over all preforming. It is your life force. Although I know you'd like to stay here with him you soul hasn't had enough traveling just yet to allow itself to settle down." Niadra let go of her mother and took a step back, not fully understanding what her mother was saying. "Nyiim isn't going anywhere, he has made that clear many times over, so when we return he will still be here. Maybe next time you will be ready to stay." her mother said, and with that she kissed her daughters forehead and walked away. This time Niadra didn't follow her.

Niadra went back to packing, her mind as full as ever. However the confusion and sadness was gone. She wasn't ready to settle down just yet, and her mother suggesting that she do just that was what showed her that she couldn't. She couldn't stop preforming, it was still so much a part of her. Maybe when she got a little bit older she would be ready, but that wasn't for a few more years. Till than she would have to depend on fate to keep Nyiim away from other girls who would want to make him theirs.

Soon she was finished packing, and it was just about the time that her and Nyiim had agreed to meet at. Niadra smiled and ran over to hug her mom before turning around and walking towards where she would meet Nyiim. Sure she was sad about leaving him, but she now knew that it was something that had to be done. She was a traveler and a performer with a wondering soul, and that was something that he both knew about and accepted about her. Why would she ever want to change?

Words : 1036

Niadra was practically dancing through the group as the others trudged along. Could they move any slower? They were going home and she couldn't wait much longer! She had so much to tell Nyiim, and to show him. He could finally see a shifter change colors since Senja was now traveling with them, and than he hadn't met Jania yet! Oh she was so excited. "Janie aren't you excited to meet your new boyfrienddd, and you guys can have lotsa puppies and they will just be adorable!" she said as she looked down at her raptrix. Jania barked once and licked Niadra's hand, earning a laugh from Niadra. "I knew you'd like the plan!" she said as she picked up her speed, Jania doing the same besides her.

Niadra was excited, more so than she normally was when going home. She had seen many things and been away from home for longer than normal. On her adventures she had gained a sister in Senja, which was something she couldn't be more pleased with. From the first time she heard Senja and saw her Niadra just knew that there was something about her that was amazing and Niadra was right! Almost at once Senja seemed to fit in with Niadra's little troupe. She was pretty sure it had to do with the fact that Senja picked up dances pretty quickly more than the fact that she was just a sweet girl, but either way it made Niadra happy. She also taught Niadra things that Niadra had never seen, more things to show off at Yware when they got there.

Than there was Jania, which she was sure Nyiim would approve of. When they last parted they spoke about her getting a companion to protect her and the troupe of the road. She had hoped that Nyiim would get her one as a gift, but when she saw Jania's little puppy face she couldn't help but get her. The lady gave Jania up for free! She told Niadra that she hadn't seen her son smile so much as when Niadra was preforming, and that it was the least that she could do to repay Niadra for that. It made her feel good, that she had made someone who didn't smile often smile with her dances and her voice. It made her feel even better about making the choice to travel once again with her family instead of staying with Nyiim.

While she traveled there were times she wondered if she had made the right decision. Should she have asked him to wait for her? No that wouldn't have been fair. She couldn't ask him to put his life on pause just so she could go out and live hers, but at the same time she couldn't be expected to do the same. She knew that she did the right thing, but her heart still hurt. She was worried to get back home and find his arms around someone else. It was possible, he was getting older and she thought he was very good looking. Who wouldn't want to make them hers? No she wouldn't worry about this anymore, she would know soon enough anyways, they were only two days away from the settlement.

With a deep breath and a look back Niadra realized that she was far ahead of the rest of her family. Slowing down to a walk she put her hand on Jania's head. The raptrix was getting so big so fast, she was a small pup when Niadra had got her and now she was just about fully grown. It was like she had grown over night, Niadra wondered if that was how it was with children. Sure she had seen children grow up in the troupe, but they weren't hers. Surely the way that she saw her own children would differ from the way that she saw other peoples children.

For a few selfish seconds Niadra wondered if she wanted children at all. Her mother stopped dancing after Niadra was born. She still sang, but she was no longer a dancer. When you had children your body changed, at least that was what she had been old. Plus your priorities were different. When the others spoke of how her mother was before Niadra was born they said she was a stern woman, and a vain one at that. She never had a hair out of place and her outfit was always perfect. As Niadra got older she started to care more about how she looked, but when Niadra was still young she didn't care. They said she would leave her hair in a bun at all times, so she wouldn't have to worry about it, and that Niadra's mother would wear the same thing days at a time. Was that something that Niadra was willing to live with? Was she willing to give up dancing, give up all her free time?

It took a while but than she realized that yes she was willing to do give it all up. She had seen the world, plus there was some time before she would even have kids, she wasn't even in a relationship yet! She had time to be a dancer, and when the time was right she would give it up to be something better. To be a mother. Slowly the troupe caught up with her and she blended in with them, helping out where she could and getting the children excited to be home. Two more days.



As they stood in front of the settlement cheer was everywhere to be heard. Families reunited and the promise of a good show at night, everyone was in good cheer. Niadra looked around for Nyiim and turned to Jania when she couldn't find him. "Come on girl, if he won't come and find us than we just have to go and get him!" she said with a laugh as she started towards the center of the town. She remembered their parting, and hoped that their meeting would be even better.

Words : 1010

Growth Solo

Main Idea: Niadra has to talk with her troupe leader and mentor about leaving and just living with Nyiim. She deals with their disappointment and thinks about what settling down will mean for her career.

Even though she had decided to leave the troupe so that she could live with Nyiim full time and only leave when the two of them decided they wanted to have an adventure, she hadn't gone and told her troupe leader or mentor yet. It was a big step, and she was pretty sure they would both be disappointed in her. However she knew she had to do it soon, Nyiim would be waiting at their house for her and since the troupe was leaving the settlement in the morning she could no longer put off telling them. She had finished packing up her tent and had Jania all packed up. She sent the Raptrix back to her new home as she prepared to do something she never thought she would have to do.

As she made her way to the troupe leader's tent, it would be easier to tell him then to tell her mentor, she thought about what a big step this was. Leaving the troupe and deciding to stay with Nyiim in the settlement, for good this time, would change her life forever. Although she was sure that the two of them would still travel from time to time, and that she would still be able to preform for the settlement whenever they had a holiday, it wouldn't be the same as living her life on the road and dancing for new crowds every few times. But this time she was ready for the change. She hadn't been before, which was why she ran away, but she knew that she was now. She was ready to spend the rest of her life at Nyiim's side, no matter what changes her life would have to go through in order for that to happen.

"Jonathan?" Niada called into the tent as she neared the troupe leaders tent. There was a chance that he wouldn't be there, but if he wasn't in his tent then he could be anywhere in the area and Niadra wasn't looking forward to going and looking for him.

Luckily for her, Jonathan's deep voice called back from inside the tent. "I'm inside, come in Niadra!" He had a jolly voice, deep and perfect for the songs he sang. It was a voice that she would most definitely miss.

Shaking her head and taking a deep breath Niadra walked into the tent, she had to be strong. If she doubted her decision at all he would see it and try to convince her to stay. "Hey Jonathan, you busy? I need to talk to you about something very important."

The older man was making some tea and looked at her curiously before motioning for her to sit in one of the chairs by the table. "Anything for you Niadra, tell me what's on your mind." He poured the two of them tea and sat down in the bigger chair.


Niadra sat and took the tea, tipping her head in thanks before taking a sip. Tea was her favorite thing to drink and the troupe always seemed to have a ton of it, she would have to stock up on some before the troupe left. "Jonathan, I want to start off by thanking you for everything you've done for me. You took me in when I didn't have a troupe, I was just a run away and you put your faith in me and I've blossomed more here then I ever did back at my old troupe. I really could never thank you enough for that. Second of all—"

"Niadra, let me stop you there. I've known you were leaving for a long time now." Niadra was speechless and frozen in place. "You've been taking your things into the settlement little by little. Come on, you should know that nothing happens in the troupe without me knowing about it."

Niadra's face flushed red. She should have known that he knew. She should have gone to him before and told him the truth right away instead of trying to go behind his back. "I'm sorry... I was scared to tell you, you and Jeanica have done so much for me. I feel bad leaving you."

"Well Jeanica is going to take it hard, but I understand. This life isn't for everyone. I do hope that you've thought long and hard about this though. Once you leave you cannot come back. By stay here you will never be a world renoun dancer. You are very talented, but I can promise you that by staying in one place your skill and talent will go to waste. I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to know exactly what you're getting yourself into."

Niadra nodded, feeling the disappointment radiating from him. He was too kind to say so, but she could feel it. He thought she was throwing her life away for a man, but she knew that this wasn't like that. Nyiim was different. He wasn't just someone who loved her for her talent, they had a bond that had lasted years already. He wouldn't hurt her. She knew this was her destiny, to be with him and be happy. "I understand Jonathan. I hope that you guys will return here some day. Nyiim and I are planning on starting a school, hopefully at least I can produce some dancers by the time you are here next."

He nodded slowly, a deep frown on his face, before standing and holding his hands out for a hug. "It seems there is nothing I can do to make you stay. You will be a wonderful teacher Niadra, though I doubt that you will be a better teacher then you were performer. You will be missed, and not just by me and Jeanica."

Although the last part hurt, and she partially thought he meant it too, Niadra stood and embraced the older man. "I will miss you all too..."

"Now go, before I start to tear up. I know you haven't told Jeanica yet. I'm warning you, she won't be as accepting as I am. You will be her second protégée that leaves her for a man. Good luck Niadra, she is currently helping take a part the stage from the other night. Though I think it would be best if you told her somewhere more private."

Niadra nodded, letting go of him and walking out of the tent before he could say anything else. She knew it would be hard to tell Jeanica, though she had forgotten all about the woman's original protégée. Walking towards the stage area she smiled and waved at all of the people she passed, aware that this would be the last time she saw them for a long time. They would leave in the morning and likely not be back for over a year. It was the way of a troupe. The only way she would see them was if there was another war, and that was something she didn't hope for.

When Jeanica was in sight Niadra started to play with the bracelet she had made her mentor. She was hoping that it would make the separation better for Jeanica, but after what Jonathan said she was very doubtful. "Jeanie! Jeanie!" She called, waving her arms to get her mentor's attention. The woman looked up from what she was doing and smiled, waving back at Niadra. "Jeanie, any way I could talk to you in your tent?"

"Why? Is there something wrong? Have you shown him your dance? Did he not like it? Is your ankle acting up again?" the woman said with a worried expression as she walked toward Niadra.

"No, nothing like that. I just need to talk to you in private." Niadra took her mentors arm in her own and the two of them started to walk to Jeanie's tent, silence all around them. Niadra knew that her mentor would know something was up but there was nothing she could do at this point.

Once they were inside Niadra sat on one of the pillows that Jeanie had all around her tent. Jeanie followed suit, a curious look on her face. "Jeanie... I don't really know how to say this. Know that I've put a lot of thought into what I'm about to tell you. This is not a rash decision and I talked to Jonathan about it already. Okay?"

"You're scaring me Nii."

"I'm sorry... It's just that you aren't going to like what I have to say..." Niadra closed her eyes, hoping that if she didn't have to look her mentor in the face that it would be easier. "I'm leaving the troupe. I'm forever thankful for everything that you and Jonathan have done for me, but I know that it's best for me to stay here with Nyiim. We love each other, and although I will miss traveling with you I will still be able to dance here. I'm going to open up a dance studio—," Niadra didn't get to finish becuase she hear something break and opened her eyes. When she did she saw Jeanica, face furious, and a broken cup against the side of the tent.

"You're leaving... For a man? For someone who will only love you until you are no longer young and beautiful? Someone who never really appreciate your talent. Someone who will use you up and just discard you when he finds something better? And you think you will be happy teaching? You won't. It's not the same. Being stuck there you will be in a cage. He has trapped you."

"Jeanie it's not like that—,"

"Sure, you might not see it that way now, but that's how it is. That's how it will be. You're throwing your life away for him." Jeanica stood, opening the tent door. "Leave Niadra. You are a disappointment, I wish you had never become my protégée. All that time I wasted on you could have been better spent else where. Go, I hope to never have to see your face again."

With tears in her eyes Niadra stood, dropping the bracelet where she was sitting. She hadn't wanted to leave like this, but she knew it was a possibility. "I'm sorry I let you down Jeanie. I'm so thankful you spent you time on me..."

"I said go." Her former mentor said, not even looking at Niadra at this point.

With a nod Niadra left the tent and headed to her and Nyiim's home. She wished it had been different, but she knew she was making the right choice. He was her fate, and who was she to deny fate?

The walk back took much longer then Niadra would have liked, leaving her plenty of time to think about what had happened. It had all happened so quickly that she hadn't really been able to process it until then. She was sure that her mentors words were nothing other then anger, Niadra could not accept her mentor thinking she was a waste of time. Still, the words stung. She knew that Nyiim would always love her, but she would be lying if she said that her mentors thoughts didn't linger in the back of her head. What if Jeanica was right? What if Nyiim only loved her for a few years and then decided he was done with her? What would she do then? She couldn't go back, the troupe leader had made that clear. But no, Niadra shook her head, that wasn't something she ahd to worry about. Nyiim didn't love her because she was beautiful, or because she was a dancer. He loved her because she was who she. Her career as a professional dancer might be over, but now she had a new path. She would be a wife, a teacher, and maybe someday a mother.