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 Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:52 am
[▼ Q ▼] Welcome To The Promise Land [▼ Q ▼]
[- 1699 words -]
[- Oba -]
[ Itotia has awoken to find herself in a new land. The travel by sea has disoriented her, but now she has time to consider her situation. As she travels closer to the Oban capital with the strange woman Afsana, she keeps her thoughts internal and slowly begins to accept her fate and the curse that gods have given her ]
**Note: I have received permission to add Aseara's presence in this solo She felt sick and disoriented as she was shoved off of the ship. Her legs were weak from disuse, and her body expected the swaying of the ship she was no longer upon. The trip across the sea had been long and full of swaying, and now that she was on the mainland the next leg of her journey was about to begin.
Afsana, her newest jailer, had spent most of the time with Itotia on the ship, speaking of their future together and the great opportunity she was being given. Eventually, Itotia relented and offered her name, if only to get the Oban woman out of the room and provide her with some much needed silence.
Silence was nice, but it also left her to her demons.
The entire process of her abduction had been quick and effortless, at least for the mainlanders. Itotia had been traveling between settlements, heading toward the sanctum in effort to seek security and blessings from the gods. Since the mainlanders had been sighted, many Yaeli would make the pilgrimage to the Sanctum and their elder preexists. In the turmoil that was the discovery of the island, Itotia knew she had to make it to the heart of their land and their religion.
Yet, she didn't have the chance.
Despite her using the luck of the Keldari bones, despite her following every believed practice of luck and good will, it seemed she was doomed before she even had a chance. As she rested in the clearing, the mainlanders approached and she was frozen in fear. The woman introduced herself and spoke of seeking directions, before Itotia was grabbed, drugged, and brought back toward the shore and away from Yaeli civilization.
Before she knew it, she awoke on a boat and the island was fading in the distance.
The silence allowed Itotia to prey. To prey for her life and to prey for those who captured her to suffer. She was a vengeful woman, but the fear she held made little room for that trait to appear. Instead of anger and aggression, all she could do was cower. Her body wouldn't respond despite her mental plea to run, to stand up and swim, to do anything to get away from those around her.
Instead of anger giving her strength, her fear suffocated her.
There was no escape, at least not right now. Maybe, one day she could find it in her to act. Instead of thinking all of these things in the safety of her own company, she could act out when they finally arrived. And yet, every time Afsana appeared, her anger deflated and she was left cowering. The mainlander even mocked her fear by sending away her protection, leaving them alone and knowing that Itotia was too stricken to ever strike back.
It was pathetic. She was pathetic, and she was doomed by her gods and by those around her.
Maybe this was it. The gods wouldn't save her now, so maybe it was a sign that she was never meant to be a Yaeli. She was meant to suffer for the island being discovered, a sacrifice for their protection. Itotia shivered and curled into herself, trying to imagine what she could do to get rid of this curse. There were no herbs from her island, no bones or mud for her to use to cleanse herself. She was traveling to a land her gods had forsaken, and was becoming forsaken in turn.
There was no hope, at least not from pleasing the gods...but what could she do? She couldn't turn her back on them, because who knows what other curses they would throw her way. Instead, she had to figure out some way to get home and to her sanctuary, where she could plead to the priests and priestesses to cleans her soul and allow her to begin again.
---
Itotia pulled the cloak tighter around her body, her head lowered away from the sun and the stares. Ahead, the caravan was nearing the entrance of Sulburi, the capital city of Oba. The many lessons over the trip seemed to have stuck with her, despite her efforts to ignore and avoid her female jailer. They would arrive in her new home shortly, and as the towering structures sprouted up from the sea of sand, Itotia felt as if she were slowly being strangled.
"My darling flower..." Afsana called as she approached, a shawl wrapped around her hair and appearing relaxed now that she was nearing home, "I've been told that we are only an hour away, and that the road is clear ahead..."
As Afsana approached Itotia's side, the Oban woman reached out to brush the Yaeli's cheek. All at once, Itotia felt herself recoil, her mind filled with screams to not let that woman touch her. The gods already looked down upon her will ill will, having a mainlander touch her skin would only add to their displeasure. And so, although she could not move far from the cart's walls, Itotia made sure she was out of reach from her captor.
"Good..." Afsana chuckled as she pulled back, her eyes filled with amusement, "...With that attitude, I can trust you to stay away from the nobles of Oba. You will be my greatest treasure, my dear, the forbidden flower from across the sea."
Itotia kept her mouth firmly shut, as she had the entire trip, and just glared at the mainlander with hatred mixed with fear. Afsana seemed amused at her, before she settled in on top of the cart.
"I will not repeat myself, so listen closely. You will start off serving drinks to our guests and helping the other dancers prepare. When you are ready, and have learned the ways, you will move up in rank and begin performing on your own." Afsana seemed to pause a moment, "You aren't quite ready to run errands outside of my establishment, so I expect you to stay inside and follow my rules."
A gelded cage where she would be paraded around like a dancing doll. The invisible hands squeezed a little tighter around her neck as she glanced away from the Oban entirely.
"When we arrive, you will be assigned a mentor. You will listen to her, and assist her with whatever she needs. If she comes to me saying you attempted to escape, or any other sort of foolishness, I will throw you to the streets of Oba where you will be alone. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult life is in our sea of sand."
Taking a sharp breath through her nose, Itotia turned back to the woman, "Yes, you understand now."
The cart was filled with silence for a long moment before the other woman appeared, the girl named Janeska. Itotia trusted the girl just as much as she did her jailer, and often when Afsana was not looking the younger Oban would glare and provide dark insults. Sometimes, she had the gall to do it before Afsana, who would only cluck her tongue and turn away.
"Alright," Afsana nodded toward Janeska, "I will be back when we arrive at the city. Do cover yourself and keep your head low, we will want to save you for your grand reveal."
With one last glance, both Obans moved away from the cart and toward the front of the caravan, whispering and glancing back as they went. Itotia hoped they would never return.
---
Nearly an hour later, the caravan stopped at the entrance to Sulburi. Itotia was in the same place as before, her body lethargic and the heat causing a sweat to break across her skin. Voices could be heard outside of the covered cart, but the Yaeli ignored them in her depression, refusing to show any sort of curiosity let alone see the faces of this world. The mainlanders were out there, and she was on the brink of entering their city. The eyes, the glares, and the threats that faced her left her feeling weak and alone.
A voice called outside of the cart, and before Afsana's hand reached in and waved for Itotia to disembark. Swallowing, Itotia held her hands tightly as they shook, and moved to step out. Suddenly, the dark hands of Afsana reached and pulled up her hood, and Itotia stepped away in surprise.
"Keep the hood up, you are not to be seen by anyone in the streets. We will walk from here."
The small group of Afsana, Janeska, and Itotia moved through Sulburi, the crowds growing denser as they neared their destination. Her hands were shaking, and her breaths came out short as Itotia held her head down and tried to ignore the stares, the bodies, and the heat. She nearly ran into Janeska when they reached the Red Amaryllis, and the Oban sent her another sneer.
Itotia just kept her head bowed as they made it inside. The air was shaded and cool, and Itotia could hear the flutter of light steps and hushed voices.
A pale pair of feet moved forward, a soft voice greeting the party with some questioning in the tone.
"Aseara," Afsana cooed, before gripping Itotia's arm tightly and pulling her forward. Itotia shivered, but did not pull away.
"This is my newest flower, from the island to the south. She's a dancer, and one that will bring us a lot of curious patrons. You are in charge of getting her acclimated and making sure she understands all of my rules. Any mistakes she makes are your own as well."
Itotia lifted her head as the other girl responded, expecting dark skin like those around her. Instead, she caught sight of a pale faced girl, one who was curious but also disgusted when their eyes met.
Lip curling, Itotia sent a sneer in return, already certain that this woman would be like the rest. A dirty mainlander seeking to use her for their own needs. Fear and anger fueled her, and as her shoulders hunched and her head bowed, she swore she would make them all pay.
Yet, she recoiled once again as the hard grip pushed her forward and into her new home.
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Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 8:43 am
Welcome to Tendaji! Please welcome Itotia to Tendaji!
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 8:43 am
[▼ S ▼] Grand Tour [▼ S ▼]
[- 1,182 words -]
[- Oba -]
She kept her head down and resisted moving as long as possible. Her body was covered in chills, but her hands clenched tightly in order to hide her fear. Everything had moved so quickly, and Itotia couldn't find it in herself to accept what was going on. There were mainlanders all around her, welcoming Afsana and even a bright colored girl who was directed to be her caretaker.
Her caretaker.
She had to deal with an abduction by monsters, who dragged he across the salt sea to the mainland while trying to train her on specific ways and expectations. And now, as she was finally allowed some room, a golden colored girl with bright blinding clothing was trying to tell her what to do. What was the point, why was she here, and why did they pretend that she wasn't any sort of prisoner? It all felt surreal, and as a result she really struggled to keep up with anything that was going on.
Did the monsters, the mainlanders, think this type of thing was normal? Did they believe that it was ok to take people from their home and tug them about like dolls? Sure, she heard of rumors of how they enslaved those seen as lesser, using them as servants and not paying them, but surely their gods smited them for such behavior?
As a result of her musings and her depression, Itotia did not immediately follow Aseara when she was bid to do so. Instead, she kept her chin down and her glowing eyes lidded, taking slow breaths to control herself from either lashing out or crying. It was a strange mix of fear and anger, and it was so strong that she felt numb and immobile as she stood in the entrance surrounded by twittering figures dressed in flashy colors with bright skin and crystals.
It wasn't until Aseara gestured for her to follow, that Itotia blinked a moment longer and began to slowly follow the other. The warning that Afsana would grow angry was enough for her to force herself to move, however she wasn't sure why she felt so compelled to do so. It was the fear of the unknown, being dragged across the sea without any sort of say, that most likely caused her to shake instead of strike.
A soft sigh escaped her lips in the form of her name as she answered Aseara, knowing she didn't have much of an option and hoping the other would just stop asking her questions. Instead, it seemed that the other girl was keen to simply do her job and give descriptions of her new home.
Itotia was observant, and she kept an eye out for places she was not permitted to stay. It was actually pretty easy, considering she was determined to keep to herself and her bed for as long as possible. Hopefully she wouldn't be required to attend to 'guests', whatever that meant, nor clean up after all of these women. If she were lucky, she'd be draped across a couch for display, which was uncomfortable but not as terrible as some of the other fates she imagined.
Oh, with dancers and musicians, she assumed they were there to entertain the mainlanders with gold and riches. In fact, they seemed to flaunt such bright extravagances, something very few did back on Yael. Home was about pleasing the gods, not each other, and Itotia had seen many who suffered for the behaviors she witnessed here. Once again, as the two walked to the upper floors, Itotia wondered why their gods had not smited them thanks to their behavior.
As they finally finished the floor, with Aseara appearing keen to get away as soon as possible and Itotia more than willing to do the same, they settled in the housing area. It seemed as if there were quite a number of workers here, and Itotia felt her skin crawl thinking she'd have to live so closely with them. There was no privacy, and no means for her to be alone. Because of that fear, she nearly missed the sound of the crying child. It was Aseara's quick rush to the situation that keyed her in, and the fact that others also gathered.
After a long moment, Itotia ventured closer enough to hear, but kept a few paces away from the back of the pack. As the crowd spoke about the baby, Itotia flinched at the sound of a far door opening, and turned to catch sight of Afsana and her assistant. Shrinking away from the group and into the wall, the Yaeli let the woman pass and bowed her head, ignoring the sound of crying and whimpering as well as the hush of the girls in the room.
Itotia was a watcher, a witness, and a silent presence. She didn't feel a need to fight for justice or honor. She didn't feel a need to do much of anything except survive, and prey the gods would find favor in her even with the distance of the sea. As a result, she simply held herself back away from the two as they began to fight, Afsana demanding the mother be removed while Aseara disagreed. It was so loud, and uncivilized, and the baby began to cry harder.
It was when Afsana started threatening to throw the girl and her child out that Itotia raised her eyes, wide with surprise and unblinking. Her mind flashed to the city around her, the unforgiving masses and tall buildings suffocating. Her memories took on the long travel across the dry sea, the sand and heat nearly strangling her breath. Her heart beat fast as she focused on deep breaths, realizing just how serious her captor was. If she didn't behave, she wouldn't be sent home...she'd be thrown out.
It was either this gilded cage or the streets of an unknown mainland city, with lingering eyes and no home and no food.
She didn't hear the punishment for the wind girl, didn't mind or care. Her eyes were unfocused on the ground as the door slammed shut. She flinched, but said nothing as the other girls murmured about how terrible the place would always be. How this was a prison, no matter the colors or the smiles. As the girls dispersed, Itotia shifted and slinked into the room designated as her own, silent and shaking slightly at the fate she faced.
Be a pretty little pet, or die on the streets.
There would be no home for her to return to. Afsana made it clear how much such a trip would cost, and how she was worth so much to move her across the sea. No, she was trapped, and as that thought sunk in Itotia fell to the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. There was no safety, no security. There was no kindness, only selfish mainlanders who only cared for themselves.
That night, Itotia prayed that the gods would smite all of them, and that the world would burn as she rode a ship back to her home.
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 11:23 am
[▼ E ▼] Monsters? [▼ E ▼] [- Event Located Here -]
[- 910 words -]
[- Oba -] Itotia was still adapting to the new world around her, and often would hide deep in the shadows of the building instead of out with the other girls. She wasn't stupid, even with her poor eyes she could see the sneers and open stares of the other dancers. In the darkness, she could tell they watched how her eyes glowed, or gawked at the dark crystals that lined her darker body. If they weren't gawking, then they were squawking with rumors and speculations as to why she was there.
It was very exciting for a new face to show up, but fear seemed even more prominent among the girls. Itotia could tell that they feared the unknown, no matter what it was. A new face meant competition, and competition meant the threat of someone being tossed aside. She may not have had words to share with the dancers, but she could hear and she was always listening.
Itotia tried to avoid the others, but was required to attend the light brunch every morning. As a result, she rolled out of bed and wandered down the silent halls, always striving to show up last and be the first to leave. Today, however, she wasn't quite as far behind as she wanted to be, and couldn't help but overhear a few of the dancers whispering up ahead.
"It seem as if the patrons have heard of our resident Yaeli..." One girl twittered nervously, and Itotia really only recognized her for her tan skin and bright green eyes. One could argue that the leaf girl was quite similar to Itotia, but she just didn't see it, "Some of them are asking to see her, but Afsana keeps telling them to be patient..."
The other girl, a tall woman with the same skin as Afsana, let out a scoff, "It is only because of the rumors that Islanders are starting to come across the sea. The men simply want to be the first to see them because they are new and exotic. Soon enough they will get their fill and grow bored..."
Itotia kept her steps light and her breathing lighter, but she did roll her glowing eyes. Right, grow bored like they were of the regular dancers. Either way, she was not a show for them to take tickets for. She would never become a feature attraction.
"I hear..." The green eyed girl began to whisper, "That the Yaeli who have come to land speak of a great plague. One of beasts that crawl out from the dirt. Apparently they see these beasts near the Alkidike settlement..."
Itotia paused at that. It was one thing to hear rumors of herself, it was another to hear of rumors of her lands. Could it be that the gods had finally struck down and cursed her people? Was this type of monstrous taking a sign of the end of times? Itotia wasn't certain, but she wasn't one to scoff like the tall Oban before her.
"Those are simply rumors. Look at our Yaeli, she is full of such fear. I hear the others are quite the same, so terrified and unwilling to speak. It probably is just a bed time story to keep their young out of trouble. I doubt it is anything to worry of..."
The green eyed girl didn't seem as brave, and as they turned the corner Itotia could see her expression filled with uncertainty and fear, "If you are certain..."
As their voices drifted, Itotia closed her eyes. She was in her own punishment, so she had little time to worry of home. Trapped inside these walls, her tasks were more of the short term. Of course, she worried of her family and friends, but they were a lifetime away. Right now, she had to worry about surviving and getting out of this hell.
Moving to the room where the other dancers grouped, Itotia could feel the weight of the stares. Today, it seemed as if they were tenfold, and she noticed the whispers as she walked by. Picking up her food and her drink, she settled away from the others in her place, secure knowing that none would approach her save for Aseara. And, Aseara seemed to be missing today, which meant a meal of silence.
However, luck once again was not on her side. Janeska, with her permanent sneer, seemed keen to approach this day. The others quieted upon seeing the second-in-command walk over, and waited with baited breath for the outcome.
"Itotia, I hear rumors from your people of dirty beings rising from the land, preparing to cross the sea and sully our land. They say that if the Yaeli cross, surly the dark beings with glowing eyes will as well. Do you have a little secret you wish to share?" her voice was filled with a sneer, and Itotia took a long moment to glare down into her tea.
"Well? I didn't request you to be silent, so speak."
Itotia took a deep breath, before raising her glowing eyes and glaring directly at Janeska. Keeping a long moment of silence, she set her hands on the table and pushed herself to stand.
"Divine punishment is our God's choice for judgement. Those who have reason to be judged have reason to fear what waits across the great sea." Her voice was soft, but it filled the room, and as she moved around Janeska, whispers followed her out the door.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:05 am
[▼ RP ▼] Lessons and Routines [▼ RP ▼] [- Roleplay Located Here -]
[- 10 posts -]
[ Itotia x Aseara]
[- Oba -]
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:05 am
[▼ C ▼] A Short Performance [▼ C ▼] [- Crafting Located Here -]
[- 322 words -]
[- 15 EXP -]
[- Oba -] Itotia was fuming silently in her room, her glowing eyes illuminated in the dark as the moon hid away from the sky. She had books around her room, some opened but most haphazardly thrown about in riot. Aseara was pushing her to learn about the mainlands. Which race was which, which leader did this, how did that even occur; it was all such a mess, and Itotia refused to deal with it any longer. Standing from her bed, she rushed out of her room and the housing quarters, down the steps and out into Afsana's private gardens. That woman could hiss and spit all she wanted, but Itotia decided she would get some air.
As she stood in the cooling night, a soft melody reached her ears. A flute from one of the musicians, most likely bored and practicing in a windowsill near the side of the building. It was a lullaby of sorts, but also had hints of sorrow, enough so that Itotia felt a stirring. It made her want to move, and slowly she felt her feet drifting across the sandy path and into the dry grass. Her arms move next, waving about as she danced with her gods in mind.
Soon, she was slowly moving in a patterned step, lifting and falling with the song in the air and her eyes closed. She poured her emotions into the step, building and building until suddenly a sharp shout was heard and the music cut off. Gasping lightly, Itotia stilled and slowly lifted her hands, her fingers brushing her cheeks where tears dripped. Wiping it away quickly, she pursed her lips and moved back inside, the emotion and pain left in the gardens behind her. The dance was her emotion, and maybe one day she'd be ready to share it with someone around her. For now, she hid it all under her rage as she made way to face another day.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:05 am
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:07 pm
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:08 pm
[▼ S ▼] Remembering The Past [▼ S ▼]
[- 713 words -]
[- Oba -]
A weird thing was occurring in Oba. Most of the residents at the Red were somber, but it wasn't what caught Itotia's attention. No, it was the Oban residents that caused her to avoid everyone like a plague. Most of the younger girls whispered of a great war in the past, where the nations of the mainlands banded together to face off against the Obans. Itotia read about it, but not much. Most of the books focused on the new rulers, and their say about the idea of slavery.
Not many focused on the pain or frustration of the Obans who seemed to have lost everything.
Itotia watched from the shadows as Afsana seemed to go into a silent rage, pushing certain dancers and musicians over others. Those with the speckled blood, the Matori, were often forced to do major tasks of labor. Those who were shifters or had the bug blood, were snapped at. Everyone who wasn't Oban was at risk for her wrath.
Itotia went to one of the few dancers who had Oban blood, a boy who appeared more Matori and who apparently had been abandoned as a child for his mixed heritage. It seemed that the fathers didn't quite have the tolerance for a muddled child.
"How long does this usually last?" she asked, straight to the point. The boy was spared most of the verbal wrath, but was stuck cleaning the stone floors which was a tedious and worthless task. It would be dusty in the morning once more.
"Normally?" He responded slowly, as if thinking, "A few days, because most Obans are forced with reminders of what they lost and what the King now demands...but this time she's especially angry..."
He paused again, wiping his patchy brow, "I think...she's trying to assert her authority this time...and the war reminds her of what happened to her people."
Itotia snorted, but nodded in thanks and left the boy to do his job. She walked back to her room, avoiding most with a glower or a cold shoulder. Her mind drifted to the behavior Afsana often showed, especially when she first snatched Itotia from her home. It was such a childish, bullying behavior, and Itotia was ashamed to admit it worked. Now, she was trapped on a promise of a worse fate outside, and a sense of security. She knew the game Afsana played, but didn't have a way to escape. With the little 'pay' she made, which went right back into rent and food, Itotia was unable to save more than a few coin each month.
It was pathetic, and she hated it.
Her mind drifted back to the easy days of her life, when she was filled with happiness and excitement. It was hard to imagine the child she once was, and she really saw it as that. Being brought to this world forced her to grow up, and alienated her from both the mainlanders and her home. Would the gods welcome her back, or curse her for her interactions with the mainlanders? Would her people see her and protect her, or shun her to the wilds? It was all a major unknown, and in her jaded world view she only could think of the negative.
At this point, she assumed no one would rescue her, and no one would welcome her.
She'd be forced to go to the sanctum, where even they might turn her away for being touched by the mainlanders. Sure, she didn't willingly dance or entertain, but she worked for them, supported them, and didn't flee.
She was weak, and she hated it.
A banging on her door startled her from her thoughts, and Itotia looked up to the smirking face of Janeska, Afsana's assistant. It seemed her time for hiding was over, as the Oban simply pointed out the door in a clear demand for her to move. Letting out a sigh, Itotia stood slowly, dusted off her outfit, and walked past the slightly smaller girl.
Silver, fading eyes were sharp, and a glare was sent to the Oban's way. Itotia may be trapped, but she'd never forget her history. She'd always fight to get home, even if they wouldn't welcome her back. Freedom was all that mattered.
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:12 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:07 am
[▼ S ▼] The Red Show [▼ S ▼]
[- 1,508 words -]
[- Oba -]
Itotia was silently, keeping well behind the group of gathering dancers and musicians as Aseara spoke from afar. It was an interesting turn of events, and Itotia had to admit she enjoyed the idea behind it. Working with Aseara to take down the tyrant that was Afsana, it was a pretty big moment. There wouldn't be bloodshed, but it would be a war of wits and strategy. And she loved using her wit, especially against the mainlanders.
Over the past few months, Itotia had grown confidence. Still she kept her eyes down, and disliked any sort of confrontation, but she didn't cower or hide. She used her wit and her brain to overpower those around her. It was a bit interesting to see, in fact, how much the mainlanders seemed to fear her. It was empowering, and a major factor that helped her get past the fear of being stolen from her home to becoming a functioning entity. Sure, she still didn't have confidence in leaving the Red (where would she go, and how would she get there?) but she was confident within and had officially made herself out as more than a victim.
Plus, it seemed many of the dancers and musicians were in a similar situation. They seemed to relate to her, and as a result seemed willing to put up with her moods and sour attitude.
It was a bit disarming.
Itotia's eyes faded from their memory as Aseara moved to the stage, beginning the great dance. Itotia didn't have much work, at least not until the end. She was here to depict the discovery of the Yaeli, after the great war, and was meant to showcase the future and potential of the races thanks to the new discovery. It was mostly a way for her to provide a united front, showcasing her support for the Wind Girl she had...befriended? Such an interesting idea.
Finally, as the dancers completed the war against the Alkidike and sent the sisters, she appeared on her own from the darkness. Her dance was slow, sultry, and she was covered in layers of dark drapery. As she moved, her ribbon-like layers fell away, and the light centered on her as if to increase her glow. Other dancers slowly approached, but she kept to her own, building on her movements until she neared enough to still. A beat of silence as a slithering figure moved from her shoulders to dance around, the Keldari's tongue snapping out, and she was flipping backward into the shadows, disappearing into a haze as the other dancers fell away.
Lifting her silks and her drapes, Itotia didn't join the others on stage until the end, keeping to the side and away from the light. Typically she was advertised as the mysterious stranger, a girl who danced but didn't linger and rarely gave conversation. Afsana didn't trust her, and as a result she worked as a cleaner and made little to no wages. It was pathetic, and Itotia knew it, but she refused to be eye candy for desperate mainlanders who wanted something unique.
As they left the stage, and the crowd began to mingle, Itotia watched Aseara on her own. The girl seemed a bit pale, moreso than normal, and Itotia wondered if she was second-guessing what came next. Suddenly, a rage filled the yaeli; she couldn't let Aseara cower out of this. Her future and freedom depended on this golden girl to stand up and raise the group. As Aseara began to dart away, Itotia felt her voice raise louder than it had in months.
"Aseara!"
She was ignored.
Frowning, Itotia didn't bother chasing after the girl. Others looked on, those who were aware sharing a glance of confusion as well. What was meant to happen next? One dancer darted after Aseara, and Itotia turned away. It wasn't worth it, if Aseara was weak enough to avoid the plans, then maybe Itotia would just leave this night. She could dart away, find a way to the sea and swim back home. It'd be better than being stuck under Afsana's rule, especially after such a display.
"She won't abandon us." The deep voice of Yarel, a musician, spoke up with certainty, catching Itotia's attention, "I can see you doubting her, but Aseara is strong. She wont abandon us...not now, not ever."
Itotia turned her glowing eyes toward the young mixed blood, her brain immediately associating him as half Wind, quarter Alkidike and Shifter respecfully. He was tall, but didn't have many Alkidike traits expect for his markings. He was pale, with silver hair. He was different, but confident. He annoyed her.
"Everyone grows weak in the face of uncertainty." She responded simply, her eyes looking sharply into his own. He was one of those who challenged her, who showed little fear and pushed her when she decided to snap back. She had respect for him, but little tolerance.
He shook his head and entered the party, not bothering to look back at her as she too entered the room but stuck to the shadows, realizing she still had the keldari around her shoulder. The men were full of drinks, the woman giggling, and Itotia felt overwhelmed. When would it be appropriate to leave? When would Aseara show up? She took a long moment to debate if she should leave, when suddenly a crowd began to gather by the door. Their fearless leader had returned.
Itotia watched from the sidelines, her face blank as Afsana spoke up. She was numb to the woman's wicked ways, and actually saw her as a snake who just couldn't stop shaking her tail. The words fell flat, and it was at that moment Itotia realized her fear for the woman was gone. She didn't fear or see Afsana with power, in fact she saw her as weak willed and a bully. The gods would punish her, if others did not first. Itotia knew that the only ones she ever needed to fear were her own gods, who she felt protected her this night. They gave her strength, power, and patience, and the will to moved forward with her chin high and watch what was about to occur.
It was when she saw her opening, that she had a chance to teach the girl a lesson, and she moved through the gathering crowd while pulling out the same keldari she danced with earlier. The thing was sleeping soundly until she brushed it's head, and suddenly it darted out past it's true master and toward the little swine that supported Afsana. Itotia smirked as Aseara moved on, her eyes locking with Janeska.
"Careful little bird, there are no doctors on the mainland who know how to heal a Keldari bite...that's it...step away." Her smirk grew as the assistant scowled, but moved no closer, and they both turned to see what would happen. This wasn't between them, and they knew it. This was between Afsana and Aseara.
As Afsana stormed out, so too did Janeska, but she avoided Itotia and the Keldari. Itotia moved away from the crowd, away from the room, and took the snake back to it's master's chambers. She didn't bother going to the party, it really wasn't her place to be there nor did she want to. Surely Aseara would return and speak with her, or maybe another time. Either way, Itotia went to her room and sat down in the silence.
A weight fell from her shoulders.
Her chin raised slowly.
A smile crossed her lips, her teeth shining in the moonlight.
She was free. Even if tomorrow showed Aseara would be just like Afsana, tonight she was free. Free from control, free from regulation, free.
Her face relaxed as she thought of her gods. She thanked Lurin for his blessing today, for him watching over her and finally rewarding her for her patience. She felt as if her curse was lifted, that he embraced her in his arms and welcomed her home even so far away from the island. Maybe it took longer for his gaze to capture her, hidden away, but he was there, and he was warmth. His power filled her heart, and reminded her of the times she had dancing and laughing at home. Maybe his strength would allow her to laugh again.
She praised Dafiel for providing them the power and cunning to take on Afsana. Itotia had a feeling Dafiel conspired with them, gave her the strength to fight back and Aseara the power to stand up for herself. Even if the gods didn't follow the mainlanders, Itotia had faith that they would step in to help a lost child. She had to believe.
Her mind continued to drift back to her home as she fell into her bed, dreaming of the damp weather and dark clothing. She missed it, her heart yearned for it, and finally she could let her mind wander. Tonight, she would dream of home, dream of a feature, and dream of her newfound opportunities.
Tonight, she was free.
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:08 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:10 am
[▼ RP ▼] Figuring Things Out [▼ RP ▼] [- Roleplay Located Here -]
[- -- posts -]
[ Itotia x Kresimir ]
[- Oba -]
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:10 am
[▼ S ▼] Three Little Hellions [▼ S ▼]
[- 907 words -]
[- Oba -]
Itotia was not a happy camper.
The entire Red Amaryllis staff was glowing after Aseara had not one, not two, but three little babies, but Itotia was not happy. All everyone could talk about was how cute they were, with dark skin and pale hair. How adorable they were with their small fingers and toes. How beautiful they were with their light pink crystals. All Itotia could think about was how loud they were. How smelly they were. And how much work they were.
She thought it was bad enough the past few weeks, with Aseara bed ridden thanks to her swelling belly and Itotia needing to take on additional tasks. Fetch this, do that, she felt like a slave yet again. However, she understood. Aseara was heavy with child, which meant she couldn't move around much. She tried, she really did, but at the end of the day she was exhausted and asked all of the employees to help out much more than normal. Itotia understood, she really did, however she wasn't really happy about it.
And now, with Aseara recovering, and the children hungry, the noise and energy of the building was insane. Not only did they have to work at night, but they had to help at Aseara's home whenever they could. As a result, the babies would often be moved with their mother so they could feed, and the noise levels during the calm hours of the day were on the rise.
Today, was one of those days.
Aseara seemed to have enough time spent at home, and was back in her office. The girls were swooning over the three children, still too small to move around much and only just really opening their eyes. But they made so much noise, and smelt so wrong when they decided to use the bathroom in their cloth pants. It was just so exhausting, and they weren't even hers.
The sound of someone rushing to her office was the only warning she had, before an out of breath dancer heaved open the door. Blinking once, Itotia slowly moved to stand and tilted her head to the side, the only sign showing she was ready for her guest to speak.
"Aseara needs you in her office." The girl heaved, and Itotia waited another moment. Well, this was bound to happen. Itotia moved past the girl, walking slowly down the hall to where Aseara was located in the same area. It wasn't a long walk, but Itotia was certain to make it last as long as she possibly could.
As she walked, she considered the situation she was in. Here she was, working as an assistant to Aseara after a long period of time of being a prisoner. Sure, she could have left at any time, but Afsana made it clear that if she decided to leave she would have no allies on the streets. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but at the end of the day she most likely would have struggled. There was no one out there who wanted anything good with a Yaeli, at least not yet.
Had she left back then, she would have most likely been wandering the desert, captured by another Oban with a deranged motive, or possibly be dead. No, Afsana was smart, she knew just how to snare people so they could never leave. At least Aseara was proving to be just, and as a result was keeping good business and dedicated employees.
Her feet stilled as she made way to the door, listening as laughter mixed with crying filled the air. The children were all awake, and in different moods it seemed. The idea of three children was simply exhausting, and Itotia had to commend Aseara for her strength and tenacity. The girl would most likely go grey from exhaustion before the three children turned a year of age, and she couldn't imagine what would happen when they became mobile. Odds were they would tear the Red apart.
When the door opened and a few dancers scurried out, Itotia eyed them a moment and they paused.
"Have you completed your chores for the day?" She asked slowly, voice even. The three girls looked between each other, before the middle one shook her head. Itotia let out a sigh.
"It would be advisable for you to complete all chores before you decide to have baby time. We cannot let this distract us from running a successful establishment, and the day is getting late for us to do our chores...."
Her smooth voice wasn't reprimanding, but held authority. The three dancers nodded quickly and rushed off, still chittering about the children. Itotia shook her head. Turning back to the door, she smoothed out her clothing in one last ditch effort to avoid the inevitable. Since her discussion, the three children seemed to have settled, and she could see through the door that Aseara was settling as well. Good, hopefully this wouldn't be a baby sitting request from her boss.
One last breath, and her hand moved to open the door slowly, glancing about to ensure no other dancers or musicians were lurking about. Surely they knew enough to avoid the Yaeli when she was in a mood, and today was a bit of a mood. Turning toward the mother, she let out a light smile in greeting, before closing the door behind her.
"What can I do for you today, Aseara?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:41 pm
[▼ C ▼] A Long Performance [▼ C ▼] [- Crafting Located Here -]
[- 359 words -]
[- 8 EXP -]
[- Oba -] For the first time in a long time, the three little tornadoes were asleep at the same time. Often, they would keep each other up, laughing or screaming or demanding to see the parent that wasn't around. It was headache inducing, and Itotia wished that they wouldn't need to be at the Red as often as they were. Sure, she understood why they were there; Aseara still was a young manager and needed to continue to shape up the business in the wake of what occurred a few years prior. However, it didn't mean she liked the sounds, smells, or messes that came with three just-beginning-to-be-mobile children.
But, with the silence, she was able to grab the closest musician and practice. It was something she appreciated about this building, the rooms were open and echoed just right to inspire one to simply dance. Itotia decided today she would take advantage of such silence and free time, and began to plan out a longer dance. Maybe some day, if she felt inclined, she might even perform for patrons. But for now, this dance was a personal expression that keyed back into her youth. It was full of life, of energy, and often as she moved she caught sight of a bit of wonder coming from the musician who assisted her.
Sure enough, she would most likely blabber to her peers in a fit of gossip about how the stoic assistant was actually dancing.
However, as is the case with a set of young children, the peace never lasts.
The sound of feet rushing down the hall was heard, and a door opening upstairs before crying filled the building. It was still mid day, so it wasn't an issue, but Itotia's focus was shot. Surely, Aseara would come running asking her to help, either with the children or with a task. Which meant her dance would need to wait another day.
Huffing, Itotia waved her hand and dismissed the musician, taking a long moment to collect her face into the quiet woman she was known as, before raising her head and walking back outside to face the chaos of the triplets.
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