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 Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:38 pm
CLAN CHOOSING SOLO
The Best for Last ”So you’re picking Ysali, right? After dad?”
”No, I’m not.”
”Peisio then, like me and mom?”
”God no – way too boring.”
”Then what clan are you going to pick?
”Guess that’s for me to know and you to find out.”
If Nazah would have her way, she would have made her sister’s clan-choosing a big to-do. Ziqah was determined not to let that happened. Recollections of her twin’s clan choosing came back to her mind, and all it caused was for the blonde-haired Dovaa to grimace. Nazah had researched and planned for months in advanced. She had looked over and considered each clan in great detail, even going so far as to ask members of each clan a long list of questions. In the end, ultimately, she decided upon the clan of her mother, Peisio. This did not surprise Ziqah in the slightest. If her twin was going to pick any clan, then chances were it would be Ysali or Peisio. Those had been the clans of their mother and father, respectively. As a dutiful and respectful daughter, it only made sense for Nazah to pick such a clan.
But Ziqah, herself, was neither of those things, and she had no intention of choosing either. She was going to do something different. She would find her own path.
Firani and Kiandri were out of the question. Both clans were prominent in the desert region that the young apprentice called home, and neither element particularly appealed to her. Aiskala would be too cold – who would want to work with ice on a regular basis? Then where was Ayrala, and the thought of moving wind around seemed…well, too flighty for her. With all of these thoughts into consideration, there was really only one option left, but it seemed to be the best choice in her mind: she would check out the Gaili clan.
Luckily for her, the outskirts of Taliuma boasted a small community of Gaili Dovaa. They were a nomadic group, predominately, moving around the country of Eowyn this way and that. Every once and a while, they would camp out on the outskirts in large, colorful tents in order to restock their supplies. It was Ziqah’s lucky day – turns out they were in town for just such an occasion. She could see the tops of the tents all the way back from town. With them in sight, she headed that way, an eager grin on her face.
”I wanna join up,” she declared immediately upon entering the Gaili commune. As she said this, she placed her hands on her hips with a definite expression on her face. ”Which one of you guys do I gotta talk to?” A kind middle-aged Dovaa wasted no time. She simply smiled at Ziqah and showed her to an expansive purple tent. ”Ask for Golan,” was all she said.
But Ziqah didn’t need to ask. The moment she entered the tent, a small Gaili man, hunched over with age, met her eyes directly. ”I know what you want,” he said with an impish grin. Before she could even respond, a hand jutted out, and an orb was pressed into her chest. The young apprentice grabbed it with a confused blink, but then stepped back and quirked a brow.
”Well, don’t just stand there! You smash it!”
Smashing things? Awesome! He didn’t have to tell her twice.
CRASH!
The orb shattered on the ground into tens of tiny pieces. The moment the orb hit the ground, the earth beneath it quivered and rumbled. Ziqah could see it ripple out in jagged waves, just as a drop of water might do. A whirl of magic surrounded her then, only to morph into a tornado of sand that eventually dissipated into thin air. The change had been completed by the time it was gone, and she had changed as well: Ziqah’s eyes were purple no longer, and instead were a rich, chocolate brown. The scales on her cheeks also had a different hue now – two, in fact. A pale, sandy color and a deep brown reminiscent of soil. The final change came to her hair. What used to be all blonde now faded into brown near the ends of her hair, and it did not go unnoticed. Golan made it a point to hold up a full-length mirror, so the young girl could see all of the changes that had been made.
”Neat, huh? Welcome to the clan, child. You’ve made the right choice.”
”You bet I have! That was awesome! I can’t wait to see my sister’s face!”
[Word Count: 761]
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:52 pm
SOLO ROLEPLAY
Let Me Go “You can’t be serious?”
“I am.”
“Mom’s going to be so upset! You can’t go!”
“It’s my life, Nazah. I can do with it what I want.”
Twin sisters Nazah and Ziqah sat opposite one another on the simple straw pallets in their room. Their shared bedroom was sparsely decorated. Each pallet contained a single ragged blanket and pillows that had gone flat from use over the years. Nazah’s side, of course, was neat and well-kept as always, while her younger sister’s was an array of clutter and trinkets. Two very different ways of living for two very different girls, and it came as no surprise that they were arguing, as they often did from day to day.
Ziqah’s sister, who had chosen the Peisio clan as their mother had, frowned deeply. Her blue eyes showed a sadness that her twin could recognize instantly. It was the same sadness she had seen when they looked at their mother. The feelings that came from having lost their father to the sands. Their family had already lost one person. Who knew what would happen if Odona had to watch her youngest child disappear, too. “You’re going to break her if you go,” was all that Nazah replied after. The Gaili dovaa just shook her head in response and pushed herself up from her bed.
“You can’t force me to stay. Doing that would be the worst possible thing. Stop guilt-tripping me. If I’m going to go, then let me go.” She wanted to yell. She wanted to scream at her sister, tell her to stop meddling in her life, and just run off right then and there. But she couldn’t do that. As much as she wanted to get the hell out of dodge, she was smart enough to know there were more mature ways to go about it. “I don’t judge you for wanting to stay with mom – far from it. If that’s what you want to do, Nazah, then by all means – do it. But this is what I want, and this is what I’m going to do.”
Nazah sighed and ran a hand through her blue streaked hair. Ziqah could always be so difficult. She was always pushing boundaries and always challenging how things were done. Why did she have to be like that? Why couldn’t she just be easier to get along with. They were sisters, after all. The Peisio then got up, lifted up her pillow, and produced a necklace decorated with water droplets and flowers. “…Here,” she murmured, holding it out for Ziqah to take. “I was going to wait to give it to you, but maybe it’s better if I give it to you now. It’s to remember mom, dad, and me.”
And just like that – all her hostility and anger toward her sister melted away. The necklace looked expensive. Nazah must had been saving for a long time to have it made. She was always thinking about other people, never wanting anything for herself. The necklace was proof of that. The younger of the two took it without hesitation and immediately put it on “…Thank you, Nazah. I’m going to miss you.”
“Yeah. I’m going to miss you too, Ziqah. I’m going to miss you, too.”
[Word Count: 540]
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 9:27 pm
SOLO ROLEPLAY
The Promise Moonlight beamed in through the single, glass-less window that the Dovaa twins had in their room. It was enough to stir Ziqah from her bed, stand up, and peer out into the slums below. Everything was quiet, save for the sounds of a few animals and the patter of footsteps. Odona – the mother of Ziqah and her sister, Nazah, was coming down the street as she made her way home. Having tried to sleep and failed, the Gaili twin slipped out of her room, careful to not wake her sister, and moved to greet her mother. This seemed to be the customary way to do things, as the Peisio woman as not shocked in the slightest to see the younger of her two children waiting for her upon her arrival home.
“Welcome home, ma.”
All Odona did in response was flash her daughter a small, tired smile, before waving her into the kitchen. Ziqah’s mother was a hard-working woman, doing odd jobs where she could find them around the city. She worked as a seamstress, a water deliverer, and a washer-woman, as well as numerous other things, should the need arise. Whenever someone needed something done, Odona was there to offer. She needed to be a jack of all trades, what with two twins to raise all by herself. Yet her spirit seemed sad and lacking in energy. Everyone saw it, especially with the way she carried herself. While she used to be an energetic, optimistic woman, all of that seemed to fade away upon the disappearance of her husband. A shell had been left in the wake of it all.
“…Ma,” Ziqah’s voice was quiet and hesitant. How could she bring up what she wanted to discuss without hurting her mother? The topic of her departure was surely going to be a difficult one, and thus she was hesitant to bring it up at all. “Can we--…”
“I know what you’re going to say, my darling flower.”
The twelve year old blinked when her mother told her this, and she hurried her way into the simple kitchen that their hovel had. “Wha-…you do?” Odona’s gentle laugh filled the room, and she nodded her head while motioning for her daughter to sit. As she did, the older Dovaa took a seat, too, and then looked at her little girl with glistening eyes. “Of course, I do, Ziqah. You want to leave home. I’ve known for some time.”
“But-…why didn’t you say anything? Aren’t you sad?”
“Of course, I’m sad, Zi – but it’s the way life goes. Both your father and I knew that one or both of you might leave one day, and we were prepared for that.”
They were prepared? So her mother wouldn’t be as heartbroken as she thought she would be? Ziqah wanted to feel relief at this knowledge, and a glimpse of it wavered inside her, but confusion won over and the twelve-year-old just found herself staring at her mom. “I’m going to miss you, but I know you have great things ahead of you. Can you promise me something?”
“Sure, ma. Of course.”
“Promise me you’ll come back to visit.”
“Don’t worry, ma. I promise!”
[Word Count: 531]
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 10:05 am
SOLO ROLEPLAY
The Departure The time had finally come for Ziqah to embark on her grand adventure, and she couldn’t wait. The twelve year old was a blur of quickness and excitement as she packed her things together. It didn’t take her long, luckily. Since she was of a poorer background, she had few belongings, and once she shoved her clothes, dragon orbs, and a few other odds and ends into a bag, she slung it over her shoulder. That was that. She was officially all set, and it was obvious how excited she was, due to the big grin plastered on her face. Her mother and sister simply stared at the young Gaili, wordless and a bit forlorn, until Ziqah stepped up and hugged them each in turn.
“I’ll miss you,” she told them.
“Just…don’t do anything foolish. I don’t want to find out my twin sister is dead.”
“Come back from time to time, when you can,” her mother added.
“I will. I promise!”
After one more round of hugs, Ziqah took her leave of her twin and her mother. She ran out of the poorer district where she grew up, and did her best not to look back at her family. If she did, she probably would have hesitated in going, and she didn’t want to do that. This was her chance, and she had to grasp it and run with it. She wasn’t going to throw everything away now.
It didn’t take her long to reach the docks at a run. Once she had reached her destination, she slowed down to a stop and looked around, eager to find a ship that was heading to the Celestial Plane. There wasn’t much difficulty in that, for a bunch of Dovaa were lined up and boarding an elaborate ship that would take them to their destination. Ready and eager, Ziqah made her way to the back of the line, and waited until her turn came to get on the vessel.
“Next.”
Finally, her turn had arrived, and she stepped up with a big grin on her face.
The Dovaa who was boarding the others, an Ayrala, stared at the Gaili child dubiously.
“Payment,” she asked, jutting out a hand to take the fare.
“I-…I don’t have anything,” Ziqah murmured.
“How do you expect to get on the ship if you don’t have any fare?”
“I don’t know…”
“Well, what do you got?”
Unslinging the bag off of her shoulder, Ziqah dipped her hand in and rummaged around. A moment later, she produced the four dunkel wings she had gathered at Dead Man’s cave, and held them out to the Ayrala. “This is all I got,” she said, blushing some in embarrassment. If she didn’t take the wings, then Ziqah was in trouble. She’d have no way to the Celestial Plane then.
“…It’ll do. C’mon,” the older Dovaa said as she took the wings.
Ziqah let out a happy ‘whoop’ and fist pumped the air, giving up the wings without hesitation.
And just like that, the ship was off, sailing in the direction of the Celestial Plane, and the next step in Ziqah’s grand adventure.
[Word Count: 522]
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 4:10 pm
Private Roleplay [Pitch and Roll] - Erahn & Ziqah - 846 words
In which Ziqah arrives in the Astral City and meets the pretty Erahn...whom she assumes is a girl...
Today was the day I arrived in the Astral City on the Celestial Plane. It is totally different from what I'm used to back home in Taliuma. There is much more color and all different types of Dovaa. I've never seen so many Dovaa in my entire life! Everyone seems pretty happy here, too. Nazah would probably love it. She'd find all of the flowers to be pretty, and she'd be making friends left and right.
Speaking of friends -- I've made my first here in the city. He's a boy with blond hair and crown-like horns like me. He was playing the flute really well; better than I've ever seen anyone play. The strange thing was that he didn't talk much. All he did was write on a chalkboard, which was really weird. Maybe he didn't know what to say, or maybe he just can't talk. Whatever the case -- he's a pretty interesting kid. I thought he was a girl at first. He's really pretty for a boy. The prettiest boy I've ever seen.
I don't think he would last in Taliuma. I told him of my adventure with the kiandri dragons. The desert would probably eat him alive. He seems pretty squishy in that regard -- like he doesn't get out much and is only good with music.
Ah, well. I didn't spend much time with him. I have to go and deliver these soul orbs. They are burning a hole in my bag, and I'm eager to hand them over!.
See yah!
Ziqah
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 5:03 pm
Orb Turn-In Solo
"Make me proud." The Celestial Fortress loomed over head, and Ziqah found herself staring up at it with her chocolate eyes sparkling. She had never been a religious person, truly, but it was still a sight to behold. If she ever wanted to worship Abronaxus, then she would want to come here as often as she could. She could also see why it was the home of Marcus, the leader of her race. Clearly, the most powerful Dovaa should live in the most spiritual place of their people. Nowhere else really seemed fitting, except for maybe the Coliseum, though no one could live there. Not really.
Dovaa of every clan came and went from the Celestial Fortress, and Ziqah watched them as they did. Some people went in alone, while others went in groups. Chattering Dovaa families leaving the worship hall could be seen walking hand-in-hand. The Gaili wondered if her own mother and father had ever been there. They probably had, though not very often, for Taliuma had been their home, just as it had been hers. Eager to follow in the footsteps of her parents, she made her way into the Fortress and set forth to find Marcus Ysaride.
“I’m looking for--…”
“Come on in, child.”
The attendant to the leader of their race was a Peisio woman, pretty and in flowing blue robes. She made Ziqah think of her mother and sister, both Peisio themselves, just as this woman and Marcus himself were. The Water Clan must truly be a popular one, for all the important people in her life seemed to be a part of it. Once Ziqah stepped inside, the secretary grinned at the girl and motioned for her to sit. “We have folks coming in here all the time to drop off orbs. I’m sure Marcus can’t wait to meet you. He’s a very nice guy.”
She had heard stories about him all throughout her childhood. He was the most powerful Dovaa in the world, a thrill-seeker and a capable fighter. How could she not have known how he would be? After plopping down in a seat, the Gaili just nodded her head with a slight smile. Handing over these kiandri orbs was going to be a load off of her mind.
After about a half an hour of waiting, the door to Marcus’ office opened, and the man himself stepped out. He looked over at Ziqah, studied her, and then nodded with a smile. ”Come along, child,” he said, beckoning for her to follow. The Gaili jumped up and dashed along without hesitation. ”I’m Marcus – it’s nice to meet you.”
“Ziqah.”
”And what do you have for me today, Ziqah?”
The twelve year old wasted no time. A few seconds after he had asked her, she produced the two kiandri soul orbs and held them out to him. He just stared down at them and then quirked his eyebrows in surprise.
”Kiandri, huh? You must be a daring fighter. Most your age just bring me Ysali orbs.”
”Yes, sir!”
Marcus laughed warmly, took the orbs, and gave Ziqah a strong clap on the back. She seemed like a capable warrior for her age, and the man could just envision her fighting in the Coliseum later on. ”Make me proud.”
With her task complete, the Gaili found herself simply nodding in response. If the leader of her race wanted her to make him proud, then she was going to do that. She would fight the hardest that she could in order to prove herself. He wouldn’t be disappointed in her – no one would. She was sure of that as she found herself exiting the Celestial Fortress, on to her next venture in the world.
[Word Count: 623]
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