Sitting at a tavern always led to interesting experiences…
Leaning against the bar, Nadiya watched as a multitude of others walked in and out of the doors. Oh look that one is obviously a couple while the lady behind them seems a bit jaded about life. She had to wonder what their stories would be like. Sighing, Nadiya leaned against a hand while her other gently shook a mug of ale to stir the drink. Even romantic tragedies seemed a bit dull today. Really not in my best interest to visit that group then.
A wistful smile decorated her face. Was this because she had yet to experience romance? The Matori raised the glass to her lips and took a heavy drink. How did you even experience romance? Did it take a huge adventure, a childhood crush, a misunderstanding, a meeting of fate? She had sung ballads about many such things and even then the girl couldn’t understand it. Her own parents had always seemed so caught up in work that their romance seemed a bit hushed compared to the family business. Now if trade was a romantic ballad with them then that would definitely be a tale.
The thought was enough for a choked laugh. I’m sure they were just too busy with all of us driving them crazy. A small smile of reminiscence flickered across her features. When she had been born it had just been her and Ahren - during those times her mother and father had just been starting out so they weren’t as crazily spread out. Then by the time Yira had been born they had started kicking up in sales – her mother had perfected an art of crafting silks and other arts that were demanded even by Oban nobles. Even then their family had a lull in life with plenty of time for games and fun in the evenings…
She could remember when she was a youngling how Ahren would take her out on the beaches to meet with her father after he returned from a caravan. The sands would swallow her feet and she would have to wiggle her little limbs out of the sand dunes. Of course as a youngling the experience was more of a challenging feat and so every time she saw one the girl would running jump right into the thing.
“Ahren, look!”
A little kick here and there to brace herself and then whoosh! Nadiya would run forward and jump into the pile of sand, “Hehe.” A shower of sand would hit her brother as she emerged like some sand monster from the embankment. “I did it~
“Congrats?” Ahren would just laugh quietly as he patted her tangled hair, “Good job Diya. You fought the sands and lived another day.”
The little girl would just proudly nod her head before noticing her father on the horizon, “Papa! Papa, papa, papa!” More sand would kick up in her brother’s face as she darted over rocks and shells to reach her father. As they connected the girl found herself wrapped in those warm arms that would toss her into the sky.
Then for the rest of the night they would just play in the sands before coming home to give gifts to their mother. She would always smile and kiss her childrens’ foreheads before tucking them in for the night and going to spend time with their father. Nadiya once had snuck out of bed to listen to the stories her father would tell her mother and even later Ahren – more adult stories not so good for a child to hear.
Perhaps that was where her own desire to learn and tell stories began? Nadiya pursed her lips at the thought – maybe, just maybe. Music then turned out to be the perfect medium for sharing and learning even more stories as well. I suppose that could be a viable reasoning then. She smiled softly as a server dropped off another drink for her. They definitely knew her well here.
What is up with memory lane tonight? Maybe she was searching for stories within her own? “Ugh.” That or this was a side effect of all the ale she had drunk just now. Playing songs relaxed her, but once she tapped out to let others play the girl found herself surrounded by offers of food and drink. Naturally she had gotten to accepting such offers easily and now found herself rather tipsy most nights that she played.
It was rude to refuse offers like that right?
Nadiya sighed as she twisted the mug in her hands, “So much for having an adventure tonight.” Her only adventure would be getting into a bed after all of this. Laughing at her own small joke the girl had to think…when had her childhood shifted from playing to more of a motherly role? The triplets? The strain their birth had placed on her mother had nearly cost the woman her life and ever since she had taken to staying more in her studio as traveling took too much out of her.
Yet, even while she was right next to their home leaving the studio meant losing work so her mother had opted to lock herself up for days while working on projects. That left Nadiya who unlike Ahren was still at home rather than working with their father with the younger siblings. Since then she had spent most of her days running back and forth to get materials for her mother while also keeping the triplets from destroying the house.
At least Yira had been nice and less destructive. Nadiya chuckled at the thought. Yira couldn’t even bring herself to yell let alone put down a foot against their younger siblings. She was just too sweet for her own good. In fact, she remembered watching the girl trying to stop the triplets from playing a game that involved a few vases one day.
“Could you please just…. maybe stop?” Yira twisted her hands together before her as she tried to stand tall against the trio of troublemakers, “Just…. this once?”
Of course, Nadiya had come rushing in once the vases began to be tossed through the hallways. “No playing vase tag today, kiddos!” She had dived and saved one while catching another with her feet. The rest of the day had been hard scrubbing of the floors – talk about squeaky clean!
Oh she was certain they had fun with that one…
Though once before Nadiya would have done the same stunt to Ahren. She would have run through the house covered in sand and mud while dancing and diving away from his arms, “No, no!” Laughing she would have wiggled away and through any tiny nook and cranny that she could find.
Ahren never seemed to mind though. Somehow the boy always kept that calm smile on his face as he cleaned up after Nadiya and her messes. Talk about perfect older brother material. She supposed he was truly the ideal child of the family even to the point that he took on the family trade in her place. Since he had taken the brunt of the studies she had found more free time to create trouble. Though at one point she had only been protesting the fact that she wished she could have been the one to go on the trading journeys. Instead she had been left behind with the other children while Ahren got to go and trade with their father.
The most frustrating memory was remembering her own transition. Suddenly Nadiya couldn’t be a tomboy nor could she participate in the trading business once her older brother Ahren transitioned in. Short hair and boy’s clothing got traded in for dresses and long hair with ornaments placed in it. Her mother’s perfect daughter – the role that Yira would eventually get – had been such a straining ideal for her.
She was dressed up like a lady and taught to keep conversation at a functional, polite level while out with other traders. Her father would show her off to other families while her mother weakly held onto his other arm. Nadiya in turn would be the one to nod and smile warmly at those her father introduced her to. Meanwhile Ahren would be out with others his age – new traders to make connections with for the future.
Eventually the realization that they were trying to set her up with one boy, a son of a family friend who had good potential for merchant business, sent Nadiya flying off. Nothing too bad of course, but the girl did have a few curt remarks for the proud man who acted like he could judge and measure her in terms of a prospective mate. And perhaps just maybe she had ‘spilled’ a bit of drink on his expensive outfit. Of course once more Ahren had taken the mess for her and fixed it. But of course no more marriage offers or talk came her way for the next few years and by then she was already playing music and out on her way into the world.
“I never was much of a lady I suppose.” Nadiya chuckled lightly. Always too rough, too loud, and too energetic. Such things would drive her mother crazy while she only felt more freedom doing so. Music, however, was the final straw as the one time Nadiya tried to introduce her mother to the topic the lady had just shut down completely.
Of course at the time the girl hadn’t realized her mother’s twin sister had been lost to music. “I wonder if I would have reacted the same way?” what if Yira or Ahren had been taken away from her because of music? Then to find out that they never showed up again…most likely due to being dead…the thought sent a shudder down her spine. Even now despite being away from her siblings for a few years the girl couldn’t imagine anything bad happening to them.
She loved them so much after all.
“I should really try to meet up with Ahren.” Nadiya nodded her head. All this memory lane stuff really had her mind rolling with things. Her brother above all was definitely a to – do list. He could meet her outside of Matori and even give her the scoop on what was happening back at home. Now that sounded like a plan. If only she could catch up with him!
Nadiya rubbed her temples. It was pretty frustrating trying to pinpoint her brother’s trade route. I’m sure he’s changed it after all these years as well. All the changes with Oba opening its borders and then Yael coming into the picture had definitely affected the caravans. New areas always meant new goods with high demand and her brother was pretty talented at being one of the first to find something for the markets. It definitely would be a crazy chase to find him. But wasn’t that a part of the adventure?
A small smile lit up Nadiya’s face. “Alright then.” Pushing her now empty mug aside the musician wobbled up from her seat and grabbed at her satchel. It was time to rest up and then in the morning…. or evening depending on her hangover…the girl would plot out her path. If she remembered correctly, he often stayed home during the festivals so if he kept to his trade route that started in Sauti the girl could hopefully cut him off by the time he got to Jahaur.
Now if she could stop the walls from dancing about her then she could get to those stairs and find that bed to collapse into. “Excuse me sirs…” Well how odd – she’d never seen quadruplets before. Laughing the Matori paused as a hiccup cut through her laughter and after a small, “Oops” she resumed laughing as she managed her way upstairs and to the bed where she would pass out.
Tomorrow…things would change and she would find her brother only that would get rid of the knot of worries that had been haunting her since leaving home.
(2015)
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:25 pm
Stage 2 - 4 Story Time
“My parents loved each other dearly. He was just a simple merchant man who started out as an orphan on the streets while my mother was one of the more elite in the upper tiers of noble society. Her family, however, had lost money due to bad investments and due to worry about their status among the elite faltered when it came to marriage companions for their daughter. Her beauty had been widely known and she was called a crimson flower of the desert rains. Everything about her was graceful and she was very much in line with what it was like to be an Oban lady. My father met her in the marketplace, the rare occasion that she had snuck off to venture into the real world around her, and fell in love at first sight. Of course his status made her family reject him, but after months of determination and hard work her managed to sway their minds with his new financial assets. Mother didn’t mind though she had secretly been rooting for him all along…”
The girl had paused and allowed Nadiya to repeat a piece here and there. Even this memory of Nadiya’s encounter with the Oban girl was a bit tweaked towards the story that Nadiya created out of the pieces of history. It had the same characters and end result, but the ways to get there and other details were edited in order to truly become a masterful story. Still, the original was great in itself and Nadiya found herself leaning forward against the tavern table to continue listening. You could definitely tell this girl was another entertainer as she made the correct pauses and could detail the story in such a lovely manner. OnlyHe was a the rare emotional outbreak at the pain the girl still felt at the memories told the truth of the matter – this was her personal story and it still cut deeply into her heart.
“Once my mother passed my uncle took over my family’s assists – including me. While he manipulated my emotions of guilt through lies and intimidation I was helpless to do his whim. My days of freedom and happiness were over. Without my mother’s warmth and my father’s gentle smile to help guide me I fell into despair. Their deaths had been my fault and they would be ashamed of my behavior…such lies kept me from pushing back against his cruelty. Slaves who had been treated kindly before now suffered the whip and I suffered from the locks on the doors to my chambers.
Marriage meetings were set up, basically in an attempt to barter me for even more power. Numb, I watched as male after male appraised me basically and set a price for my uncle. I was prepared to just go and live in whichever way he wanted after all. Then….I found out more about his doings and even discovered a trove of letters written by my mother during her sickness. She had never blamed me, but rather had showered me with love during our time apart. Such realizations woke me up from my sleep and allowed me to finally fight back and eventually run away for my freedom.
Of course…falling in love had never been my intention, but now I can’t complain...”
Nadiya smiled as the memory of the girl’s story continued to flicker in her mind. Now that was a nice romantic story with just enough hint of adventure to tell. Plus, it had given her a mission as well! Now while she traveled looking for her brother the girl also told stories of a crimson haired dancer whose beauty couldn’t be rivaled. Hopefully that would help to spread the girl’s actual location to the winds since Nadiya traveled towards Jahaur while the other went further through Sauti and eventually into Zena.
I just hope her disguise holds through as well. The rogue pursed her lips thoughtfully. Would dying her hair and hiding her clothes and her dance be enough? Nadiya could only pray so since the girl had seemed so nice. She deserved a happy ever after considering everything else that the story had revealed to her. “Here I was being a downer due to my homesickness, but at least my family is still alive.” She mused out loud softly. A hint of shame did flush her cheeks. How could she have forgotten?
Life could always be worse.
“Next thing you know though I’ll have some troubles and then I’ll find love. Maybe my life has just been too easy.” Nadiya teased herself before splashing her face with the stream water one last time. It was a foolish thought. At this point in her life she doubted anything would even make her consider trusting another with her heart. How did anyone do that? Or even find someone that could match their melody to that point anyways? Shaking her head the girl packed up her belongings and began to continue on. She still had to travel through Oba in order to catch up with her brother now.
There was also a popular tavern up ahead in the next village. She remembered stopping there often with the caravan. Hopefully if it was still there she could play and earn some coin or food at least. Her song as well would be a little sorrowful, but her melody would definitely lead people on about this dancer friend of hers. We’ll get her out of Oba and into Jahaur definitely. Nadiya could only laugh mischievously as she began to walk through the trees.
If one could believe in fairies or sprites they definitely could see it in the Matori who danced through the trees with her flute in hand. The girl radiated a playful spirit that dabbed in a bit of mischievousness here and there – something that especially shone now as she started to go over a few stories in her mind. There was this one certainly, but she had a few others that she had been itching to share now as well. So which should she share with others next?
Decisions, decisions…eh, I’ll figure it out eventually~
Laughing, Nadiya continued her dance through the trees.
(1032)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:58 pm
Stage 2- 5 Long Lost Brother
In the evening mists of Jauhar a girl moved. Determination and precision marked her brow as she continued to shift through the trees. Out here she knew there was a camp and in that camp would be her brother. At least that was Nadiya’s hope. Please, please let that merchant be telling the truth. Taking a breath Nadiya pressed forward and raced against her beating heart.
Was he by these trees? What about up there in the canopy? Or in that random clearing right there? Surely not by those huge roots…could she even climb over those? Her boots slipping the girl even found herself diving under some of the bigger roots. I could make a home under some of these. The thought was definitely amusing.
But it still didn’t help her to find her brother. Frowning the girl placed a hand on a hip as she stopped to survey an area. The trees were getting denser here and she had to wonder – was that a sign of the village? Ahren loved to get deeper into Jahaur, even towards Alkidike territory, so that he could get some of the more rare trades. “That or he knew I was after him this time and he really wanted to make me work for it.” Pouted Nadiya before she finally decided to press on.
Eventually she did find the entrance to a village of shifters, hidden all the way up in the tree tops. Grabbing a vine, the Matori had to balance her feet against the rough bark of a tree before climbing up. Slowly, but surely…one…two…three… Even though she had been in and out of Jahuar many times in the last few years the girl still found herself hesitant when it came to climbing the great trees. After all she easily felt as if she were flying by the time she was simply only a few feet off of the ground. It wasn’t normal for such a petite body to be up so high in such huge trees.
This must be what it feels like to be Mnyiri. Nadiya teased lightly with a laugh. What would Ahren even think about her Alkidike friend? The Matori shook her head quietly, “I’m sure he’s met a thousand others.” If only she could find him and learn more!
Her hands wrapping around the vines the girl began to pull herself up the rest of the way. Up here there was a wooden walkway that opened up several houses and areas in the trees. It would be hard to get travelers up here, but at least towards the back she could guess that either a huge tree with an empty trunk or a small clearing would have allowed others to leave their Beasts and wagons on the ground floor below. If Ahren even had brought such things. Out here he often would travel alone while leaving the others to rest up in a more open town in either Oba or the edge of Jahaur.
“Ahren?” Nadiya called out softly while peeking forward. So far all she spotted were the occasional shifters moving about. There had to be a tavern around here – that she was determined to find. Sneaking forward the girl pushed through a crowd as she attempted to find a small market or place to rest. What she didn’t think to find was the random spot with a loose board to trip her up…
It was then that she stumbled forward and found a pair of rather blue hands helping her to stand. “You really should be more careful out here.” That voice sounded so familiar! Blinking Nadiya glanced up to see the lanky form of her older brother. At least it resembled him with those deep amber eyes and dark curly hair that was tied back in a short ponytail. Oh gods even if it wasn’t she still wanted to do this! Grinning the girl jumped up and wrapped her arms around the other Matori.
“Ahreeeeeeeeeen!” Her happy squee echoed through the trees, but Nadiya didn’t care. It was her brother! After all this time she had found her older brother! Instantly tears came to her eyes as she found his arms wrapping around her as well. “I….” A slew of tears escaped down her cheeks as she sniffled, “Missed you!”
Ahren rubbed her back lightly and just let his younger sister cry all she needed. Nadiya couldn’t tell if he was crying as well, but there definitely was an air about her brother which was different. Even his calm expression seemed somewhat sorrowful as he lead her away from the main path and back towards a smaller tavern where he had settled in for the time being, “How did you find me?”
“Easy…well not so much.” Nadiya rubbed at her eyes and tried to clear her throat, “I knew you liked to come all the way out here…so I eventually kept trying and trying until I finally…well stumbled into you here.” She offered a small smile, “I’m sorry it took me so long.”
“It’s fine.” Ahren offered a shy smile as he pushed a warm mug of tea towards the other Matori, “Just catch your breath and relax. Is everything alright with you? It’s…been a while.”
“I’m fine.” Nadiya reached down and picked up the steaming cup towards her lips, “Well, not really…but I am fine.” She shook her head with a light flush, “I miss everyone. I was hoping that talking to you might help.”
“Oh, Diya.” Ahren looked like he was going to reach a hand out to her before opting instead to raise his own drink to his lips, “I can tell you anything you want to know, but you may not like everything. Is that alright?”
“Of course!” The girl blinked up at him with determination, “It’s my family, Ahren. I miss everyone and even you especially!” Even if it was embarrassing to admit she did love her family to death. Being away from Matori despite her adventures had definitely strained the poor girl…to the point of even having nightmares recently. Nadiya just prayed this conversation could help to ease some of the wounds.
After all it wasn’t like she could just go home – music was still her life after all.
Maybe one day, but for now she would just continue to endure and catch up to Ahren like this when possible…
(1062)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:21 am
Class Quest to Stage 3!
Quote:
Here we find Nadiya after she has finally caught up to her brother, Ahren. While she has spent several years away from home and family the girl had fallen into a severe depression and loss of reason. Music still thrives her and she is dedicated to learning all the beats in the world, but homesickness was pulling her down. In hopes of news to appease her aching heart, the girl found her brother finally again.
His news, however, was not as happy as expected. Now worried about her mother the girl has finally realized that perhaps rather than homesickness it was more of a guilt that drove her. A guilt that she had been selfish for so long without even thinking about the strain her disappearance would have on her own dear family.
Facing her own selfishness Nadiya had decided to try and find a balance between giving to her family and herself again. Before she felt that she had dedicated too much of herself to her family, even to the point that she nearly gave up completely on her beloved music, but now she feels too selfish and relaxed as she did as she pleased the past few years.
That decided she will finally go home and while hiding her true occupation will visit her mother in the hopes that she can find a way to break free of these lies and teach her mother what music truly is about. It will take a lot of cunning and bravery, but Nadiya is determined to finally fix whatever the past broke so that she can have a good open relationship with her mother once more.
Along the long shore of a beach a girl wandered. Back and forth, up and down, over and out, the girl continued to pace herself through the rocks and sands. At her side rested a flute, but she didn’t opt to play it – something that in fact was odd for a Matori who often played music while walking along. Her fingers itched to play, but her heart didn’t have it in her. Perhaps speaking to Ahren hadn’t been the best idea… The thought instantly brought a sense of guilt to the girl and Nadiya scrunched her nose. No, let’s not think like that. Seriously though this whole situation was enough to send her into a tizzy.
Should she have gone back and just drank the night away at the tavern? Nadiya smiled bitterly, “I doubt that’s going to help me out.” While she had fallen into a drinking rampage the girl had started to sober out more once she had gotten back into the swing of being herself. Helping others, spreading stories, playing songs, adventuring, and all that jazz. Honestly she felt a bit like a fool now. While Ahren had been hard at work protecting their family and earning resources she had been out in Tendaji just playing around.
“Well, I wouldn’t call it playing.” Nadiya pursed her lips in a pout as she argued with herself. It was a good thing that she was out here alone on the beach tonight – else someone may have worried she was either out of her mind, drunk, or possessed by spirits. At the moment all three felt very likely even to the own girl as she tried to balance what was going on in her mind. I’m a bit of a mess, aren’t I? Sighing, Nadiya propped up against a fallen log and leaned back so that she could stare at the skies above her.
At least they were pretty with those dark blues mingled with a misty series of clouds that cast a gray haze over everything. The great moon hung above flickering gentle beams through the clouds while on occasion movement would allow for sight of stars peering through any openings that they could find through the misty sky. Normally the sight would be enough to inspire her to play, but the girl just let the flute continue to hang at her side. Not tonight, I’m afraid. Even thinking about music made her gut clench in pain. What was she going to do?
“Maybe Ahren was exaggerating.” She thought back to their meeting the night before up in the tavern at Jahaur. She had originally been ecstatic to finally have caught hold of her ever elusive brother, but now this memory filled her with a hint of dread. So much for getting rid of my homesickness… The thought made her hang her head as the scene replayed in her mind…
”So how is everyone?” Nadiya was literally bouncing in her seat as she peered over the table and continued to study her brother. He seemed healthy enough and hadn’t changed save for that little goatee thing hanging on his chin. The thought was enough to bring a laugh from her. It must have been a mark of maturity, but the girl still couldn’t help giggling over it. It was so strange to see her brother trying to look manly! He had always been the scholarly type after all and honestly at one point she would have been less shocked to see him in a dress while she ran through the sands in pants.
Her glee, however, began to fade as Ahren seemed rather stiff and quiet. “Well…” His fingers wrapped around the mug and tapped against the cool clay thoughtfully. It was a look that Nadiya recognized instantly and hated at the same time. He always had that little furrow between his brows when he was trying to sort through exactly what type of news to tell her – more likely exactly how to press bad news without seeming so doomed about it.
“Ahren, please.” Nadiya leaned forward and stole his hands from the mug so that she could wrap her own slender fingers around those familiar hands, “Don’t look like that – you’re breaking my heart.” What could be wrong? A thousand scenarios flew through the girl’s mind and she found herself biting the inside of her cheek in worry. She could only hope and pray that it wasn’t something drastic.
Sighing, her brother squeezed Nadiya’s fingers gently. “Diya, Diya.” He tried his hardest to offer a smile to the girl, “It’s not that drastic, but I don’t want to worry you.” His amber gaze surprisingly was warm despite its dark depths and Nadiya gave a breath of relief.
“Though I don’t know. I feel as if you may be lying to me.” She added quickly as suspicion rose. He did that a lot – always considering her feelings above what was actually happening around them. It truly put Nadiya on edge some days.
“It’s just mother.”
“What about mother?”
Ahren sighed as Nadiya pulled away from him, “She’s always been sickly, but something is truly wrong this time. It’s hard for her to walk and she has shortness of breath. It’s also been easier for her to get a cough…the family is worried about her. She also asks about you often and I feel uneasy to continue lying to her…”
Nadiya’s expression dropped, “You want me to come home then?”
“Father does.” Ahren sighed again and even ran a hand through his hair in frustration, “I want you to do your thing and be happy, Diya. But what if mother really won’t get any better? Is music really worth it to continue living so far away from home?” He shook his head, “Not that I condemn you for it, but I just worry. The last thing I want is for my sister to regret something for the rest of her life.”
That explained it. Nadiya’s chest tightened as she glanced down away from her brother to try in vain to hide the tears that gathered at her long lashes, “So you tried to avoid me the best you could while allowing me to thrive out here. How…how long has she been ill?”
“A few moons now.” Ahren replied quietly, “I was hoping she would get better and I could tell father that I simply couldn’t find you in time to ask. He’s not left Matori so that he could stay with her while I continue leading the caravan through the outside countries.”
“I-“ Her heart twisted. All of those plans that she had for being in the outside world seemed to wilt a bit, “Give me a day or two?” It was a step up as before she would have instantly shut down the idea in her stubborn proud way. How dare they ask her to give up her passion! But now knowing her mother’s condition made her soften as did the homesickness which had been haunting her. Was it really worth sticking to her guns if she ended up resorting to drinking and restless wandering due to her homesickness?
Still, there was that spark of worry that prevented her from also agreeing right away. That was why she turned away last night and left so that she could think on things…
And obviously thinking she did. Nadiya had paced the river’s edge for hours now while battling her inner desires. She loved music, she truly did. If only her mother hadn’t lost her twin sister then everything would have been alright. Or even if Nadiya didn’t look identical to her aunt then perhaps…no even then music was a trigger. It was alright for her mother to pass by musicians in the market, but to see her own kin playing? It created a knot of worry that always caused her mother into a sickness or a fainting spell. So of course if Nadiya came home now with her mother already sick then playing music was out of the question.
How long would she have to put away her flute? Just for a simple visit or for a year long dedication? She also had plans to make a place in Jahaur to share with a friend…Nadiya lowered her gaze. I hope she doesn’t hate me if I can’t live there often right away. She bit her bottom lip thoughtfully.
One simple visit to home surely wouldn’t hurt.
All this time she had heard tales of family and sacrifice, but the girl had never truly thought about how her own desires may have been too selfish. Being away from home for a few years had taught her a lot about missing things and desire. She didn’t want to continue falling into that depression which kept her in taverns, less to play and more to drink. “I remember the little boy who sold all his toys to try and help his mother out while a daughter even married to help her family. Or the mother who worked constantly in order to feed her babies…but what have I done?” Nadiya scoffed at herself. She ran away and didn’t look back – that’s what she did.
Now it would be time to face the music. Well, rather face life without music. Just for a bit…to see mother. She nodded as tears came to her eyes. She really didn’t want to lose her mother! Even if the woman was the reason Nadiya had to act like a completely different person sometimes it didn’t stop her from loving her flesh and blood. I’ll do this for her and then return out here soon. What she truly wanted to do though was solve the mystery and find out if there was a way to teach her mother to love music again.
I’ll come home, hide my flute, and wait until she feels better so that I can show her the music that I truly love…
Eventually something had to give right? But the first step was to stop being so selfish and to finally take the time to realize how to live for others again and not simply for just herself. Not like before when she would burn herself away for her family, but rather try to find a balance in between love for them and caring for herself as well. And she was determined that one day she would play the most perfect melody for her dear ones! So that then they could truly see her for who she truly was…
(1753)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:04 pm
Stage 3- 1 Home
Over the years it seemed that Nadiya wasn’t the only one who had changed.
The Matori skidded to a halt as she approached the stone white path which twisted through the rolling hills that dotted the edges of beach. Behind the emerald and silver dotted cliffs wafted scents of salt infused water and Nadiya swore that she could hear the faintest echoes of the crashing waves. Her amber gaze shimmered fondly as she glanced over the path and how its familiars curves and bumps rose to meet her feet as she slowly walked forward. Beyond the setting, however, her home was different. No longer was it a simple two story manor with a quaint garden of ivory flowers and teal vines, but rather it was twice if not four times the size of the place it had been before. Around the original stone structure three whole gardens sprawled out, their hedges and multitude of colors lighting up the cream sands that preceded them. A small fence created of small round stones of various hues of gray and sand encircled the whole area and a small gate that swung inwards with the barest of groans greeted her. The manor in the middle had been expanded and she spotted hints of new buildings, a greenhouse and even an open ballroom looking building for events, that told of her family’s increase in fortune.
“It seems you’ve worked hard, brother.” Mumbled Nadiya as her older brother gently nudged her forward towards the front doors which loomed above her with their intricate golden designs. Was she truly home? It was hard for her to believe yet that bottom crack of the wall next to the door frame seemed to testify to the truth. Her brother and she had been rough housing when they were teens and a sword may have encountered the wall, scratching the metal while leaving its mark in the pearl-gray stone.
“A bit.” Ahren replied with a small smile that broke her from those rambling thoughts, “Come on inside Nadiya.”
He showed her around, her room thankfully remained in place while her parents had been the ones to move to a new wing of the house so that Ahren could move into their suite. If he ever had children...the thought caused a small smile to curve her lips upwards and she couldn’t resist taking a peek towards her brother. Maybe one day she could witness him with someone but it was hard to imagine the stoic man in love with anyone. Or was it? She reflected upon how kind he had always been to her, how tender he was when comforting her, and how protective of a brother he could be when she was in need. I suppose even he has hope then. Nadiya’s gaze softened with emotion before she reached over to take her brother’s arm, “I suppose you could lead me to the study then?”
“Ah, yeah.” He nodded his head and they walked along on a rug that was tightly woven and whose colors resembled the ocean at sunset - the quality so comforting against the soles of her feet that she could almost believe she was walking on silk rather than woven material. Nadiya had to wonder what artisan their family had commissioned for such a nice piece, “Yira.”
Her sister’s name made Nadiya’s gaze snap up in surprise, “What about Yira?”
“She crafted it.” Ahren grinned as he showed Nadiya to her bedroom, “You appeared to be curious about the rug, forgive me if I was mistaken.”
“No, no you’re fine.” Nadiya smiled as she looked at the familiar room, “I suppose they didn’t want to change it?”
“The triplets wanted to take it all for themselves and decorate it with some crazy things but no I kept them away.” Teased Ahren quietly, “Else you would have some bright yellow walls with purple splotches instead of the soft blue that you always loved.”
Soft blue indeed. Nadiya couldn’t help trailing her fingers over the familiar patterns of sky and sea. Everything, even the bedding that was a deep teal with golden flowers, had been kept clean and in place. Truly it was impressive, “When was the last time I even came home?” She asked with a small frown decorating her heart shaped face.
“Three years.” Replied Ahren quietly as he leaned against the doorway, “Three years of you going through Jahaur, Oba, Sauti, Tale, and almost Zena.”
“Ah.” Nadiya lowered her gaze, her long raven lashes touching the edges of her high cheekbones, “I suppose time really did slip away from me.”
“Mmmhmm.” Ahren shrugged before he pushed away from the frame, “As it is you can take some time to rest and unpack, I’m sure everyone will be excited to see you.”
Taking a deep breath Nadiya slowly glanced up towards her brother and nodded, “Yeah. At least that’s the hope, right?” She offered him a shaky attempt at a grin before ushering him out of her room, “But I’m not the only one who should clean up for dinner. I’ll see you in a few, Ahren!”
As the door closed and the light from the hallway disappeared leaving her room cloaked in shadows Nadiya found herself plopping down on the floor with her back against the wall for support. And it was there that she sat with her legs tucked up against her chest for a good few minutes as she allowed her thoughts and memories to roam.
Nadiya comes home and witnesses the change that a few years have brought while she’s been out travelling. (WC 935)
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:56 pm
Stage 3 - Solo 2 A Musical Soul
Words could not express the myriad of feelings that bloomed in Nadiya’s chest the night that she finally spoke to her mother.
Admittedly it had taken time, lots of patient words, bravery, and a few bouts of tears but eventually both women were on decent terms with one another. Her mother had brushed tears from her gaze, simply nodded her head, and let Nadiya explain why she had left home all those years ago. It wasn’t for trade, not for academies, not for crafting, but to collect stories and to learn music. Her mother had always been terrified of losing another family member and the trauma of losing her musical sister that resembled Nadiya so had her fearful. But when all was said it done years of separation had encouraged her to be softer, more eager to just hold her arms again.
“All you ever had to do was talk to me.”
That concluding statement was like a shot to Nadiya’s heart. For years she had been so afraid to reveal the truth to her mother, had even run away from home to avoid conflict, and now it seemed that she was accepted? Her mother still didn’t wish to listen to her play a melody, that was too much of a reminder of her deceased sister, but she did seem understanding that Nadiya did play music.
“I can’t believe….I did it.” She leaned against the banister of her balcony and stared across at the ocean waves. Everything seemed so serene now and she was content. But it wasn’t the ending of her story. Belrea had just opened itself up to the world and she had promised to take her younger sister there.
And it was to Belrea that she would fly.
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Once in Belrea Nadiya worked quickly. Her strange appearance, the fascination of the Belreans with those from the other continent, and her charisma and talent with music gained plenty of attention. Soon enough she was moving from asking others to demonstrate Belrean music to playing her own melodies that she had gathered across all the countries. The stories that she had collected, the way that she could portray her home had many seeking her out until finally someone from the Academy - the Academy!- had asked if she would be interested in performing for the Entertainment Sector.
At first Nadiya had thought that it would be a simple thing. Just sing and be out. She needed the coin, she had her sister with her, and they couldn’t survive on the allowance from her brother forever. But then once she arrived at the theater (such a funny thing to think of considering she had barely seen any before save for once in Oba’s capitol) Nadiya realized that simple was not a word to describe Belrea’s theaters.
It was huge, it was glamorous, and people were swarming inside! Fear, excitement, and fascination all swelled up within her as she began to practice with other musicians who had been called to stage. She would be lying if she didn’t say that she had nearly ran away that night.
But she was glad that she hadn’t as it seemed the spotlight was perfect for her.
“Nadiya are you certain you are ready? If you stand in that spot right there the acoustics will be wonderful for you.” A lightning woman glanced over at the Matori as she tapped a quill against the stack of music papers, “You’ll have your hair pulled up by our crew and the lanterns should shine wonderfully around in the audience as you sing that Matori ballad we all love.” She continued talking, instructing Nadiya about everything to happen that evening, but at this point the Matori was comfortable with it. Certainly she still had nerves that fluttered in her stomach but now she had been there a few times and everything was falling into place.
If only she could have her family here to see her.
Her sister certainly would watch, but it was the haunting image of her mother that still saddened the musician. Would her mother ever have the heart to watch her sing or play music? I can only hope. At least she wasn’t hiding herself from her family anymore. That thought alone was a comfort as it was a step in the right direction.
And Ahren had called for her a few days ago via letters. After this performance she would pack her belongings and leave to visit home for some important business. Her lips pursed thoughtfully as she continued mulling over exactly whatever it could be that her family had in store for her this time when she came home….
Nadiya has confessed to her mother about her path as a musician and afterwards she goes to Belrea where she begins to perform on a larger scale before being called home... 783 WC
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 5:57 pm
Growth to Stage 4 I will Commit
Nadiya stared at the ceiling of her cabin room. The bed below her was plush, a perk of being a performing who held the captain’s favor, and her body was covered with a simple silk dress yet the Matori felt uncomfortable. Or rather to say she was simply restless despite the comfort of the room she rested in. It was night, the ship was quiet save for the soft roaring of the motors as they kept the contraption soaring through the skies and the only disturbances so far had been the occasional sound of footsteps as the night crew moved about. Now if only her mind could be as quiet and peaceful.
Snorting at the thought the Matori rolled over and pressed her face into the pillows. This was ridiculous! She should be delighted, excited, happy, ready to go take on the world, and all that jazz! Yet she was feeling terrified, the nerves fluttering up in her stomach like a field of bees buzzing from flower to flower. Twisting again so that she could clutch the pillow to her chest Nadiya stared out of the small port window that was just above her bed. It was nighttime and only the shimmering starlight from behind the clouds allowed any vision in the gathering darkness. Quietly Nadiya found her hand reaching upwards to press against the cool glass. As she traced random patterns against its surface the Matori continued thinking.
Jolanta had confessed to her.
The silly man had actually crossed all the way into Sauti so that he could catch her ship to Belrea and now he was crossing the great ocean to the new lands, something that he had never dared to think of before. Her lips curved upwards ever so slightly as happiness revealed itself at the thought. He had actually cared enough to risk such a dangerous flight, something that many still feared since none knew the stability of a flying ship, and if not for her then he probably would still be working in Oba. Guilt crossed her features as she turned away from the window with a sigh. But why was she contemplating sending him right back? Even though she had admitted to liking him back Nadiya hadn’t made any commitments.
In fact, she never made commitments. That simply wasn’t her style. For the past seven years, ever since she had been old enough to leave home, the young woman had wandered from country to country. She had flirted with a multitude of others, hopping from tavern to tavern, singing and dancing to her heart’s content and settling down had never crossed her mind. Falling in love had been a fantasy of her younger years, something that had occupied the young girl’s mind as she sat on the cliffs and watched the sun setting into the ocean. Once she left home though Nadiya had forgotten about such things save for when she retold the stories of love to others, to inspire them to do things that she never felt were meant for herself.It was never meant for me. She was too whimsical, too mischievous, too eager to venture from one place to another….the very opposite of what she had always imagined in the happily ever after of love stories. They always wanted to settle, have a home together, raise a family, and just fade into the sunset.
That wasn’t her.
She was an explorer, someone who could roam for days, someone who used to drink well veteraned soldiers under the table even! How could she fall into such a typical role of wife one day? Not that she was even near that with Jolanta! The thought had her cheeks darkening to a violet tinged flush that spread all the way to the tip of her finned ears. Surely he would get tired of her then and go for someone daintier and purer!
Would he? The thought caused Nadiya’s heart to clench and she found herself rubbing her palms against her burning eyes. This is why I should have never allowed myself to get close to anyone, especially not a Yaeli. Who knew that her words from her younger years would haunt her? “My star may be in Yael…” She mumbled under her breath, a small bittersweet smile decorating her features. Who knew that she had accurately prophesied that the one to capture her heart would be from that strange new land? Talk about irony.
In frustration Nadiya reached to grab her cloak from the wall and after slinging it around her shoulders the Matori climbed out from her cabin and began to venture across the deck. Her thoughts were still a mess, her heart a knot of feelings, of the temptation to go back with Jolanta, to encourage his presence in her life, to not just run away again, but fear and hesitation had her wanting to do just that. For so many years she had been running away from her home, keeping her true activities hidden from her family, and it was strange to think that she could simply be herself with someone else. As her thoughts continued Nadiya found herself sneaking around the upper levels of the deck so that she could sit there, in probably what one could consider dangerous and crew only territory, but the Matori wasn’t phased. Up here she could imagine that she was back home in the cliffs that overlooked the ocean. Just instead of ocean she was staring at a sea of clouds that created a mist to block out the ocean which she knew rested beneath their ship. Tightening her cloak about her shoulders Nadiya closed her eyes for a moment.
Did she chose to run away again? Even after revealing that she did have feelings for him? Why did these things have to be so hard? If it was a cute guy or girl before she had never hesitated to flirt, but this was different. That was what scared her. To commit to this, to keep him in her life would be to have something stable there finally. It wouldn’t be a simple fling, that much she acknowledged, and Nadiya was worried about what could happen if they didn’t ever get tired of each other. A lifetime….a lifetime they could spend together. Was that even possible? What if she ended up wanting him but he tired of her? Could she handle such pain?
“But he’s not like that.” And that was what scared her even more. To be with Jolanta would be to do something that she hadn’t done since childhood. Commit. Opening her gaze Nadiya looked over the ship again and found herself pausing as she noticed two figures walking below her on the lower deck. More passengers who couldn’t sleep? Yet her gaze widened ever so slightly as she realized that they were more than just passengers, something that quickly became evident in the way that they wrapped their arms around each other and began to press quite close together.
Deciding to turn away after a few more moments of staring to allow them privacy Nadiya found her mind wandering. Wouldn’t that be nice? To be able to spend a night just with Jolanta under the stars? The thought surprised her but then as she remembered all the moments that they had already shared the Matori felt something shifting in her heart. Even if it was scary, even if it wasn’t what she had imagined herself ever doing there was something that tugged her towards Jolanta.
Perhaps for him she could change. She could finally commit to something and despite her reservations about a few things Nadiya was certain that they could find a way. After all they had already been through quite a few things together, right? And it would be nice to be able to truly experience love for once, at the thought she peeked back towards the couple once more with a small smile before scooting from her perch so that she could head back inside. In the morning she would invite him to Belrea so that he could stay with her.
No more running away. No more dancing from thing to thing without concern. No more hiding herself from another. No more pushing the things that scared her away. It was time to risk something that truly mattered to her - her heart.
It was time to discover what love truly was all about.
Summary: Before Nadiya had always been a in the moment type of girl. She had left behind commitments when she first ran away from home and ever since her teenage years she has flitted from place to place. Relationships were always loose and the friends she made she would only see whenever their paths decided to cross. To actually stick with someone, to keep someone right next to her side is something strange to her as she has only ever allowed her brother and sister to stay for long with her and even then those moments were brief in the long run.
But in this solo she faces her fears about commitments, her distrust of love, and her fears of what opening her heart could bring. This is a point to finally mark that the playful girl has matured into a young woman and is preparing to face the world and to truly start something in Belrea with Jolanta at her side.
