Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sakhile grew up a happy laughing boy. Surrounded by his mother’s family (and sometimes visiting father’s family) he knew very little of hardships. Sure he could listen to the stories and think about the bad things that had happened just before he was born, but to him the Obans and Matori were not figures in a story; they were his neighbors! Neighbors he liked! His best friend was in fact the son of an Oban smith who lived on the ground several trees over from his family’s theater house. By some strange occurrence the Oban quarter had ended up next to the Shifters, with an overlap occurring where the Obans had businesses below the tree houses of the Shifters. On the other side of the Shifters lay the Matori section of Neued. Growing up in this booming trade center allowed Saki to see the good sides of the Obans, the good side that many refused to acknowledge simply because they had invaded. Though he didn’t like some of the arrogance… He really hated being talked down to!

Ditzy Sakhile rarely noticed the distrust and tense feelings in the air; he was far more interested in playing games with his friends! And avoiding lessons… Saki did not like the dancing or music lessons; he wanted to be a brave warrior like the hero in momma’s tales! But for now, he was content to play in the streets, causing harmless mischief and coming back bruised from his clumsy attempts at tree climbing and wrestling with his friends.

Growing up, he was spoiled by both sides of the family. His fathers family was luckily not here; they would come to visit and bring gifts but the distance between Neued and their home meant Sakhile was not too close to any of them and not as spoiled. His mothers family however were in Neued and adored the first grandson of the family. He would get constant love, gifts, and was not lectured very much... Except by his mother who had made it her task to insure Sakhile did not grow up into a spoiled brat who relied upon others to do everything! She was the one who made sure he got punished when his uncles, aunts, and grandparents would forgive him. She made sure he cleaned his room, helped out around the house, and attended lessons. Sakhile was upset half the time about it... but as he grew up he came to realize it was just her way of preparing him for greatness to come! If he didn't know how to take care of himself, or know right from wrong.. how was he to be a great hero? That at least was his thoughts...

with his mother! (counts as his 1 rp he can have with one of my own characters.

with his daddy~

Sakhile: Hey da! I'm gonna be leaving for Oba soon Figured I'd say bye before I leave. Mom already gave me the go ahead!

Ras: HE'S GOING TO OBA! WHAT IF THEY CAPTURE HIM AND MAKE HIM A SLAVE? D8"

Sakhile: Oh please da... Like that'll happen! It's not like their that dangerous.
*no clue what so ever*

Rastian: WE WENT TO WAR WITH THEM WHEN YOU WERE IN YOUR MOTHER'S STOMACH! D< I thought they were going to kill you and her!

Sakhile: But dad.... Mom's just fine. She even has oban friends. You know, the one's she ditches work to go play with?

Rastian: ... She plays with an Oban?

Saki: Uh huh. He helps her on her music. And she goes over to have lunch a lot with him and his friends

Rastian: ... -Places his hands in his lap- ... I see.

Sakhile: Oh... and then there's the weekly dances they have. She goes to join in with them.

Rastian: Oh, dances... That sounds like fun. ...

Sakhile: Tasty food to. I go with her some times. There's some cute girls there!

Rastian: -Snerks- Any you want to bring home?

Sakhile: Sure... Gotta pick one though don't I? Be rude to flirt with too many...

Rastian: -Nods- You should pick the one that makes you the happiest and most secure.

Sakhile: Oh.. you mean like permanent? I can't like.. do a trial run o something?

Rastian: Of course you can! I'm just saying, when it comes down to it, make sure you pick the one that you can make an entire life with. =w=

Sakhile: Ehhh... *looks nervous* So is it bad to flirt if I don't want to stay with them just have a ... one time fling or something? Mom flirts all the time

Rastian: -Face falters- Uh... Well... You may break a few dozen hearts that way... Be careful if you do that. I mean, if that's what you want to do, make sure you're prepared to take responsibility of any kids you might make along the way, too. >3>

Saki: Ehhh... it's not breaking hearts if she tells me she's just in it for the fun right? SO you cool with me leaving?
*tries to sneak off with out a lecture*

Ras: >3> NO.

Sakhile: *sighs* Ah come on da... Why are you such a worry wort? it's not like I'm gong to die alright? It's just going with a few buddies to thier homeland!


Ras: and I have good reason to worry! Traveling isn't easy and it's rarely fun. >>

Saki: *rolls eyes* Have you heard of Mom's adventures? If shed staid home I wouldn't be here... She had fun and met all sorts of people! And all my friends had fun moving here... so why can't I also have fun while traveling? You make it sound all boring.

Ras: I'm not trying to make it sound boring, Sakhile, I'm trying to get it across to you that travelling isn't all fun and games. It's dangerous and you could get in some serious trouble. -Shakes his head- And your mother was lucky that I found her in Zena the day we met! She was thorougly unprepared for the weather of the mountains and could've frozen to death. It wasn't all fun and games for her, either!

Sakhile :But she didn't! Shilea was there.... And I'll be with a group, so I won't get lost and if I get hurt there'll be help. Honestly you'd think I'd just run off unprepared or something. *sniffs* (he would.. cause its in his blood but his friends decided to go as a group) And this is their home. I'm sure that they know how to survive there! (yeah.. no)

Ras: Yes, I do think that. Even groups can be attacked. You have absolutely no idea what you're doing and, frankly Sakhile, I'm forbidding this idea. No travelling. You're not ready.

Sakhile: *glares* Why do you get to forbid me to do something Mother said was fine? I'm old enough! I'm not a kid anymore! ANd how am I suppoed to grow or learn anything if you keep me shackled here?!

Ras: Just because your mother gave you permisson doesn't mean I do, and the fact that she hasn't told me about her giving you approval for this nonsense tells me just how much she cares about my opinion. -Glares- And you can learn just fine here, Sakhile. You're still a prentice, which makes you a child, and you. are. not. ready. to. leave. yet.

Sakhile: *folds arms* I asked her this morning.. It's not like she had time to tell you since I came here right after asking! My and my friends already made plans and everything! I'm not staying behind! Apprentices are meant to go out and learn!

Ras: Oh, well, I suppose nobody has time to talk to me about important things, do they? Nobody wants to listen to me, the logical one, the one who only wants what's best for this family! -Clenches his fists and folds his arms- I don't care if your "friends" made plans. I don't know who they are, I don't care who they are, and you will not be leaving this town! Do you understand me, Sakhile?

Skai: Why are you throwing a fit Da? You're acting more like a kid than I am! *turns around and stalks out the door* I am leaving! If I have to sneak out than fine! I am not going to be held captive by my own dad!

Ras: I am not throwing a fit! You are refusing to listen to reason and- -Reaches for his staff- I swear to Bergchi, Sakhile, one more step and I will freeze you in place.

Saki: *looks over a his father, anger in his eyes* Go ahead... All you're making me do is want out of here even more

Rastian: ... -Lowers his staff- Fine, then, go. Go travel. Go out into the world while you're vulnerable, weak, and weaponless. Go right on ahead! But I won't be there to help you if it all goes wrong. I won't be there to save your life, or give you guidance, and... You're on your own from here on out! I won't bother talking to you, or helping you, just go be ungrateful somewhere else!

Saki: I will! And 'll show you I don't need you! *storms off*

Rastian: You will! You- -Sees that he's stormed off already and tears up- ... You won't.


Senja will walk in: Hey sweetheart! Sakhile came and asked--- why are you looking so sad?

Rastian: ... He doesn't need me anymore. -Looks up at Senja- ... Has anyone ever really needed me? Or am I just fooling myself?

Senja: *no clue what's wrong* I need you.. or at least want you. Not sure about actually needing anyone... I mean. To survive I can handle myself.. But you make me happy *kisses the top of his head* What brought this on?

Rastian: S-Sakhile just doesn't understand the dangers of this world! He wants to go off to Oba with some kids I barely know and wander the desert! He doesn't know what's waiting for him out there! -Places his head in his hands- And... And... You... You only want me? I'm not something integral? I'm not important enough?

Senja: You said need dear. No person needs another to be alive. I'd be super sad and depressed if you left and pissed off as hell.. probably go hunt you down and drag you back if you leave! *chuckles and not really sure why he thinks this way* I love you dear.. Your are very important to me. And what's wrong with him leaving with friends? Better then him leaving and being alone! This way he'll be safer.

Rastian: ... So, I'm right. I'm not needed. I am a completely unnecessary being who can just be replaced and needs to be pulled back and forth like some sort of rag doll. Is that it? Is that how you view me? Unnecessary? -Stands up, turns away- How will he be safer? They're a bunch of children for all we know! Do they have weapons? Do they have a safe place to go? And, Senja, our son is a hybrid! Do you know what people do to people like him? To people like me? They... They... They do unspeakable things to them! You wouldn't understand that, you've had the luxury of being pure!

Senja: *sighs* Rastian.... That's not what I meant. But if you leave I won't hold you back. I don't like to chain people down.. should your feet feel like wandering that is fine.. Your heart n the other had damn well better not wander! *eyes harden* As for Sakhile; he is a young adult now. He needs to learn to take care of himself. He can't have you hovering over him forever! That will simply make him hate you. Sometimes to love something you have to let it go...
As for purity of blood... Men do unspeakable things to women all the time dear.. You think we don't worry about walking out late at night simply because we're pureblood? There is risk and danger for everyone! Mixed blood does make some things more dangerous... But that is no excuse to try and keep him here!


-we stopped here as it went places neither of us were expecting and stuff happened-

Basically they have an argument and well... Rastian apparently had been drinking (pidge being pidge) and feeling unloved and worthless. Senja not telling him he is the most important thing and he is right and not stroking his ego made it worse. He tells her to stop flirting and (if I recall right) stop being around the obans so much.

Senja is a head strong woman and refuses. Things go down hill. Eventually he leaves and then sends her this nasty a** letter.

ongoing

After his run in with hybrid hater, Sakhile was a bit more careful in his wanderings about the oban village. Alos and Brenshin had simply shrugged and patted his shoulder sympathetically when he’d told them of it.

“It happens… Lots of folks think that the gods made them as they were so to dilute their god’s creation by mixing tribes is unacceptable.” Alos said awkwardly. “Haven’t you encountered this before?”

Sakhile shook his head. “No. I’d heard of it but never actually seen it till now…”

“A charmed and lucky life.” Brenshen had chimed in. “Was the girl fine though?”

“She got us both out of trouble.” Sakhile remarked embarrassed. “I didn’t do much…”

“Finally going to learn to fight?” Alos smirked. “Saki had to be saved by a guuurrrllll.”

“Oh hush you!” Saki said with a frown. “Women can be better fighters than men! No shame in being save by a woman… shames in needing it. I thought I could talk him down but it didn’t work.”

Alos put his hands up to ward off Sakhile; “Okay okay! But you should learn something. Me and Bren here are going to find a trainer and see if we can stay for a week or so at my grandparents place so that we can learn a bit more before we continue traveling. What about you?”

Sakhile didn’t want to stay here for a week… and he knew a week would turn more into a month if they were to truly learn anything to be good at their weapons! “It’ll be a month guys if you want to stick and train a bit.. but you are right. We do need to be more prepared for bandits and such… I was... gonna buy a few weapons and try them out. Need a new knife anyways since mine is tiny. So something larger that can be used in a fight and… well … I’ll see when I get to the smiths.”

“Ohhh! Are you going right now?” Brenshin perked up. “I was wanting a new one anyways! Or well.. a spear or trident.”

“How are you going to buy them?”Alos asked skeptically. “Weren’t you broke, Bren?”

Sakhile chuckled. “I’ll pay for them. Haven’t touched the stuff my mother gave me to help pay my way if I needed it. She at least gave me helpful stuff.” He muttered. His father had simply… yelled. No advice or help; just restriction, complaints, and guilt.

Bren tugged Sakhile’s braid sympathetically; “Forget about your dad. Let’s focus on today and learning. And what things you will want to buy! Thanks for buying too.”

“You guys did most the work getting us here so why not I help this way right?” Sakhile said as they headed out. “You need something too Alos?”

“Some clothing…. Granny could make some but...” He winced and Saki and Brenshin chuckled.

“Alos doesn’t like his traditional clothing! You’re such a shifter.” Brenshin rolled his eyes.

“Shifter clothing is so comfortable! And skimpy.” Sakhile laughed. “Weapons first then clothes.”

They hit up several stores till Alos and Brenshin found one that was cheap but still had decent weapons. Sakhile spent a while looking at the wall until the smith came over.

“What’cha looking for kid?” The broad woman asked with a toothy grin.

“Um.. not sure? I have a knife picked out;” he waved the long dagger he’d picked up to replace his old one, “But not too sure on what to get.”

“You haven’t found a path to walk yet?”

He shook his head. “I don’t like fighting. I would prefer to talk to people. That way no one gets hurt. But…” He sighed. “People don’t listen.”

“Story of my life.” She smiled and looked at him. “You’re a scrawny one… short too. I’d suggest daggers or a spear. Something to get in close or something to make up for your lack of reach.”

Sakhile wrinkled his nose. Daggers would probably work… but he didn’t want to haul a spear or trident around! Or a lance.. those things were so heavy and caught on the branches! His eyes caught on the rack of shields further back.

“You think I could learn to use those?” He pointed. “That way I don’t have to hurt others, can keep people from being hurt… and maybe hold the angry ones back long enough to talk them down?”

The smith laughed and went to fetch a smaller one. “That’s as good a reason to pick the path of a fortress as any! This one here is light enough you should be able to carry it around. I would suggest you start lifting weights. Tie heavy rocks to your feet and arms and walk about with them on. That ought to build up your frame enough to make you able to carry the heavier ones.”

Sakhile thanked her and bowed. “Thank you so much! Is there any other advice or will the teachers my friends find be able to help me?”

She smiled and nodded; “Any teacher worth their salt will know how to train you or at least teach you the basics. If not they will know where to send you. Now… for the cost of these things…”

Sakhile handed over the payment, using up most of what his mother had given him, without bargaining. The woman had given him valuable advice and been kind enough to help. He looked at the small shield and smiled. This way he could keep people and himself safe but not have to hurt others!

“A shield?” Alos asked curiously.

“Yup. Actually… one of my mother’s favorite hero’s from her tales of when she was captive during the Oban wars is of a fortress.”

“Wait.. your mom was held captive?” Alos said incredulously.

“Yup.. when she was pregnant with me actually! There’s some rather interesting stories from that time! Its what helped her write the play that you love so much about that war!” He said with a laugh.

“Tell!” Alos said and Brenshin chimed in. “You never mentioned this!”

“It slipped my mind was all..” Sakhile laughed and gave in; he did like telling stories after all.