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 Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:49 am
solo || Saris and Shawls
Shakuntala knew she was being exploited to the most of her ability, but she was willing to put up with it if it meant getting along with Sita. Since visiting her sibling on a weekly basis, the two's stagnant relationship has blossomed to one of much understanding and reliance. Unfortunately, she had to do a plethora of household chores just to stay on good terms with her sister, but as stated before, it was a small price to pay. This time around, Shakuntala was back in the pantry cleaning out the multitude of junk Roland, Sita's ex-husband, had hoarded in there. She exhaled sharply as a flutter of dust tickled the underside of her nose from a very worn and moth-bitten dress. It was a quirky piece that the teen was positive even the poorest of Shiganshina wouldn't don. It even made her quirk a brow in disgust. Thus, it obviously was junk. After tossing the ill-kept garment into the pile beside the ajar door, she reached a hand to the white box that sat beside it.
Despite the clutter, there did seem to be a semblance of orderliness set to the rectangular room. How Roland managed such a feat was beyond Shakuntala's mind, but by a guess alone, she thought it to be an article of clothing. Prying the lid off the container proved her guess to be true, but it obviously wasn't in the state of the dress before. As her hands grasped the thin linen, she spread it out before her, and marveled at the intricacies of beading and needlework gone into the scarlet cloth. It didn't take much for her to realize what she was holding in her hands. It was an outfit that went through the generations of Kamla's family line and marked her heritage from the first woman who bowed her head to her groom and took on the surname, Davindra.
As Shakuntala stood, the red wedding sari glittered under the dim lightning within the room. A spike of jealousy trembled her heart. Despite having no desire to enter into a romantic relationship with another, the teen had admired the outfit passed down to every new bride on their wedding day. As a girl, she would stare at it in wonder craving the day she would old enough to wear it herself. She wasn't to let this opportunity go, though. Craning her neck to the doorway, she opened it wider, and rose her voice in a call to her sister.
"H-hey... Sita? C-could you come here?"
There was a slight grumble from the older Tischendorf as she trundled down the corridor. "What is it, Shakuntala?" she asked with a huff. "I just laid down Priya for a nap and wanted to do the same."
"I... Well..." The girl slid her eyes over to the recently opened box. "The, um, t-the sari there... When mum g-give it to you?"
Sita peered over her shoulder. "Oh, that old thing? On my wedding day. I never wore it because Roland wanted a traditional ceremony, but you know our mother and how things go. I had to take it, despite not even wanting to wear it. Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Well..."
Shakuntala began to fidget nervously. She felt her request was childish, but she really desired to wear the sari. Sita watched her with a trained eye and let out a small sigh and smiled knowingly to herself.
"Shakuntala, do you want to try it on?"
"Ah- Y-yes!" she said with a furious nod of her head.
Sita jumped a bit from her enthusiasm then let out a small chuckle. "All right. Let me show you how to put it on."
Shakuntala and Sita had migrated to her room up the stairs. As the older Tischendorf settled the box onto the bed, she said over her shoulder to her sibling, "Okay, strip."
The girl blushed. "A-ah, w-what?"
The woman shook her head. "Just down to your underwear, silly," she replied.
Nodding her head, Shakuntala pushed a lock of hair behind her ear as she tentatively removed each part of her garment. It was a slow and practiced set of steps. She still faced some difficulty putting on the harness and only by mentally coaching herself through each step did she manage to slip it on over her clothing. Eventually, after slipping off her jacket and throwing off the tangle of belts and straps, she sat on her Sita's bed in her skivvies. Standing after her sister put out the sari piece by piece, she looked to her expectantly, but was drawn into a moment of awkwardness as her sibling just stared.
Eventually, after growing uncomfortable under her sister's studying eyes, she hooked her hands in front of her form and muttered nervously, "W-what?"
"Wow," Sita commented. "Shakuntala, you're... You're so fit!"
"E-eh!?" She blushed furiously, covering her stomach and legs. "T-that's because... I-I have to be! The 3D gear... And horseback riding... Especially horseback r-riding... I... I've been working out a lot... Sita! Would y-you stop staring!?"
"Aha, sorry, sorry..." Sita apologized with a wave of her hand. "Don't mind me. Come now, put this on..." She offered Shakuntala the sleeved top. "I'll wrap the petticoat on you."
As Sita began to slip the skirt about her sister's waist as she put on the blouse, she experimentally poked the front of her stomach, and made a face of awe as her member fell stiff. The girl jumped at this prod and gently slapped her hand away.
"Sitaaa!" she cried out again in embarrassment. "S-stop!"
"But... You've muscles! Muscles!" the mother seemed to yip. "I'm jealous! I mean, that stomach... You can bounce a boiled egg off that thing!"
"Aghhh..." The girl buried her face into her hands. "C-can you just wrap the... the shawl on, p-please? I... I can't take anymore of this..."
Sita rolled her eyes. "Fine."
She draped the shawl across Shakuntala's waist and then over her shoulder; the rest veiled over her short hair. Sita then led her in the direction of a floor length mirror where the teen could get a good look at herself. Her face fell as she stared at herself in the garment and she took a step to the mirror and touch the fingertip of her own reflection.
"I've nothing around here to make a bindi..." Sita said. "So I hope that looks fine?"
"Y-yea, it's fine..." Shakuntala replied, still marveling at herself. "H-hey... D'you think you can horseback ride... w-with this on?"
"Probably?" her sister replied. "If you do side-saddle, maybe." After seeing thoughtful face Shakuntala made, Sita suddenly shook her head. "But not in that, you aren't! Take it off immediately before you start getting ideas!"
Shakuntala chuckled in amusement. "Okay, okay..." she replied with a smile.
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:04 pm
solo || Poison
Shakuntala slumped down on Velvet and let out an exhausted sigh. A horseback ride to Shinganshina shouldn't have taken that much out of her, but the sweltering sun and lack of clouds to shade the heat away had her sweating rivers by the time she reached the border. She hopped off the steed and walked the rest of the way through the narrow streets as she headed in the direction of the house she was tossed out of months before. Since then, the Tischendorf had not even dared set a foot back in her hometown for fear of running into her family -- especially her mother -- again. Today was a choice out of the blue and, while trepidation still marked each step she made in the direction she traveled, there were far more worse fears in life she would have to face in comparison to this one.
She stopped just before the door to her house after tethering Velvet to one of the beams that held the structure up. Swallowing thickly, she raised a fist to the door to knock on it, but stopped when she heard a crash and a few choice words from a familiar voice. Rounding the corner, Shakuntala came upon her father hopping down on one foot and a tumble of firewood splayed out before him.
"P-pappa?" she called out timidly in concern.
Her sudden inquiry jolted his neck upright. Abram's eyes widened and he stiffened from surprise. "S-Sh-Shakuntala!" he gasped as he began to teeter on his on foot. Before he fell, his daughter rushed to his aid, and helped him keep his balance before he tumbled. She gave him an awkward and bemused smile as he scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. "S-so-sorry," he apologized.
Shakuntala shook her head. "I-it's okay, pappa," she replied. Her head bowed next and she rubbed her jacket sleeve nervously. "It's, um, i-it's good to see you... again."
"It's g-gr-great to see y-yo-you as well," he replied gently.
Raising her head, Abram's daughter asked, "I-Is, um, is mum home?"
The man nodded his head. "S-sh-she is, but... I d-do-don't think it w-wo-would be a good time to see her... S-sh-she, um, she's still u-up-upset..."
"I-I see..."
Shakuntala bit her bottom lip. Was her long trip to Shiganshina for naught? Realizing her disappointment, Abram placed a hand on her shoulder and eased her with a second smile.
"D-do you want to take a w-wa-walk with me, S-Shakuntala?"
They walked in silence together through the town of Shiganshina. It was a road Shakuntala was well acquainted with -- the one her mother would make her run fetch requests on, the one her father traversed everyday on his way to the slaughterhouse, the one where countless others never gave them a passing glance. Abram cleared his throat and attempted to speak, but his voice fell quiet. Shakuntala also tried to engage him in conversation, but her inhibited nature made her attempt fall to the wayside. It was a problem the two suffered through their entire lives. A brief conversation was enough for them; carrying it to something more in-depth took an arduous effort. It was Abram who managed to find something salvageable within the silence between them.
"Y-yo-your mother, um, she's had it h-ha-hard since you left," Abram began. "S-sh-she may still b-be mad at you, but d-do know she cares, S-Shakuntala."
The copper-skinned girl let out a sigh. "I-I know that, pappa, I do. But mum... W-Why can't she understand t-that I'm already an adult? I d-don't need her to c-control every... every aspect of m-my life!"
Abram sighed as well. "P-pr-pride is this family's p-po-poison, Shakuntala," he replied, hooking his hands behind his back as he walked. "For y-yo-your mother, for me, e-ev-even for you." Shakuntala immediately took offense to this, but as Abram continued, her tightened features softened. "Kamla's h-hau-haughtyness prevents her from a-ad-admitting that you're old enough to make your own decisions, my own f-fo-for being unable to argue a-ag-against her, and y-yo-yours for not giving up on your c-ch-choice. I'm p-pr-proud of you, S-Sh-Shakuntala. I really am. D-do-don't give up, dear. Not for m-me, not for your mum, a-an-and especially n-no-not on yourself."
"Pappa..."
Shakuntala felt her eyes brim with tears as they neared her home. When Abram put his hand on her shoulder again, the girl thrust herself onto him, and squeezed him in a tight hug with the strength in both of her arms. She found herself sobbing into his chest -- not from shame -- but the guilt that evaporated from her shoulders. Abram returned her hug in full and even wiped the tears from her cheeks when she stepped back from him.
"P-pu-pull yourself together," he said. "You're a s-so-soldier."
Reaching a hand over to the beam she had secured Velvet to, Abram unloosened the knot of the lead rope and placed it in her hands. "N-no-now head back b-be-before your mum sees you."
Shakuntala dipped her head at him. Stepping into the stirrup, she hooked her leg over the saddle and gently kicked the back of her heel into Velvet's stomach. As the mare led her off back in the direction she came, she called out to her father, "B-bye, pappa!"
Abram waved her off with a smile. Up above, on the second floor of Shakuntala's family home, Kamla peered out from the window at the two. Pursing her lips, she let the curtain she pushed aside drop, and descended the stairs to wait for her husband in the living room.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 10:05 pm
Despite her reservations, Shakuntala ends up joining a game of Truth or Dare with other trainees after curfew in Dorm Tragen.
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 1:07 pm
Shakuntala lends a hand gathering wood at the Peace Garden.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:27 am
private || Seeing RedShakuntala/Rennati
Shakuntala works with Rennati to help pick cherries during the fruit's harvest season.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:36 pm
solo || Enough is Enough
It'd been months since they last saw each other, but in the midst of a second, their eyes connected like two magnets of opposite charge. They held this stare for a while; disbelief, shock, and awe radiating down their cores. It was Shakuntala who approached the male, dropping off Velvet the mare when she was before him. Glancing him up and down, the girl bowed her head, and greeted her cousin.
"H-hello there, Neil..." she said.
"Shakuntala," he replied stiffly.
Neil was unsure what to make of the situation. Shakuntala was hardly his favorite person; since they were small, she was the thorn in his side that he never knew how to flick out. Even when not in her presence, the only topic Abram, his uncle, would bring up was about her. To this seventeen year old, his same-aged cousin was everything he couldn't be. Respected, talented, and worst of all, a trainee in the military. As she had did before, he raked his eyes up and down her head-bowed form.
Shakuntala more of less looked the same despite her hair having growing out an inch and, of course, donning the military's uniform. When she finally had the courage to look at him in the face again, his eyes darted to the scar on her chin, and he immediately remembered what had caused it. Of course, he was to blame, and it was one sliver of his memory that would last her lifetime. This, for some reason, was pleasing to the male.
"What are you doing in Shiganshina," he asked in a matter-of-fact tone that came out more as a demand rather than a question. "I thought you were training."
"Ah-" The girl wrung her gloved hands before her bosom and swallowed thickly. "I... I-I was visiting, Sita..."
Neil gave her a small snort. Visiting her? That was quite hard to believe, despite it being the truth. He wasn't aware of his older cousin's breakup with Roland and Shakuntala's eager desire to help her out every time she had the chance. Shrugging a shoulder, he kicked at the dirt and balled his pocketed hands. He was irrationally angry just to be by his cousin and just hearing her s-stutters was grating. He suddenly turned on his heel and began to walk off. Their small talk (or what existed of it) was over.
"I'm heading back," Neil said as he began to march off away from her.
Shakuntala blinked a few times and scuttled after him, dragging Velvet along after her. "W-wait, Neil..." she called out to him, stretching out her free hand and catching the elbow of his crumpled jacket. "I wanted..."
"What?"
Her forefinger and thumb slipped from the rough fabric of the garment and dropped to her side. Balling it, she offered without looking to him, "N-Neil, um, l-listen, if you ever... ever need help... J-just tell me..." She raised her head and smiled warmly. "I-I'm here for you, okay?"
This is not what Neil wanted to hear. Not what he wanted to hear at all. A distressing glare met his features and was icy enough to chill Shakuntala to her core. She froze before him as his stomped a foot before her. "I don't want s**t from you," he snapped at her through gritted teeth. "I made it this far without you, I don't need you at all."
"Neil... N-Neil, please don't misunderstand... I-I just want to be there for you... As family..."
"Family?" His temper was rising. "As if I'd consider you family. My family's dead. I have no goddamn family."
"Neil..."
"Besides, what the <********> can you do for me? Whine and moan like a little b***h like you did when we were younger? No ******** thanks. I don't need that again."
"I-"
"And you're still the ******** same. A loser that thinks they can help others, but can't even help themselves. You're trying too damn hard, you know that? No ones needs your help. No one. And joining the military won't change that truth. You hear me? You joined the military for nothing. You're just going to die like the rest."
For the first time, in a long time, Shakuntala felt herself growing mad. It was an alien feeling but the palpitations in her chest, the throb in her mind, and the desire for her tongue to shout were key signs of her anger. Neil continued to drone on and on, insulting her in a thousand and one ways. He reminded her of her youth where she would put up with what he said and instantly forgive him. Not this time. Enough was enough. She would take it no more. Balling a fist, Shakuntala cranked her arm back and suddenly punched the male right under his jaw. The uppercut caused him to chomp down on his tongue, silencing him. As he stumbled back and tried to straighten himself, Shakuntala shook her hand as the adrenaline rush began to subside.
Neil looked to her dumbfounded and she, in turn, kept a leveled glare on him. "Y-you're an a*****e," she cursed, unable to form more beyond that statement. Climbing back atop Velvet, she kicked at the mare's sides and left. When she was some way outside of Shingashina and on the dirt road back to the campgrounds, she found herself chuckling to herself in satisfaction. That felt great.
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:57 pm
Shakuntala attends training for hand-to-hand combat, horseback riding, first aid, and general survival in the wilderness.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:13 pm
solo || The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Shakuntala found her eyelids drooping and her chin dipping as she listened intently to Sita hum. The creak of the Priya's cradle as it was rocked by her sibling's hand was the only thing keeping her from drifting off into a deeper sleep. Trying to keep her mind off the idea, she rested her head on her bicep and watched her niece. The small babe was already overtaken by slumber. Her small head was cocked to the side and her little chest rose and fell in a soothing face. A small smile met Shakuntala's lips.
She sure has grown...
As if reading her sister's thought, Sita commented, "To think it's already been a year..."
"Soon... S-soon she'll be walking, and then t-talking," Shakuntala said, "next thing you know, she'll be m-married."
Sita chuckled. "Hopefully she'll meet a good person who will stay with her," she replied, "no one like Roland."
Shakuntala's eyebrows rose. That's right... It's been about a year since he left too... Looking to her, she chose not to press the matter. That man had already given her sister enough trouble. Bringing him up would only cause more.
Sita interrupted her thought when she stopped rocking Priya's cradle and asked, "Hey, Shakuntala... Are you ever going to marry?"
Shakuntala's face went slightly sour. "Sita, w-we talked about this," she replied, "I... I-I have no intention of marrying... My l-life's to the military..."
Sita let out a wistful sigh. "I know you told me already, Shakuntala, and I can respect that. But don't you want to have children? To become a mother?"
Shakuntala harrumphed. "Y-you're beginning to sound like m-mum..."
"But... don't you want someone to live for?"
Shakuntala sighed. "I... a-already do." Sita blinked at her reply, but when her sibling's gloved hand snaked into Priya's cradle and she gently stroked the infant's cheek with her index finger, she finally understood what her sister meant. "I w-want to fight for her, Sita," Shakuntala said, "I... I-I want to protect Priya... N-not only because she means so much to you... But to me too..." Shakuntala swallowed. "I want to p-protect her, Sita... Is... I-is that all right?"
"T-that's fine, Shakuntala," Sita replied with a pleasant smile; choking back the tears in her eyes. "Actually I... I want to ask something of you."
"What... W-what is it?"
"Well... If anything ever happens to me, Shakuntala, please take care of Priya..."
"S-Sita...!"
"Ah-!" Sita held up a hand, halting her sister's voice. She knew what Shakuntala was going to say: "Don't say something like that! Nothing's going to happen!" Unfortunately, the future was unclear, and trouble could be brewing on the horizon with not a single soul prepared for it. Lowering her hand, Sita continued with, "If something happens, as I said, please, Shakuntala... Protect her as you said you would. Promise?"
The trainee nodded her head. Sita's words sounded almost cryptic, but she knew nothing bad could come of her; she didn't dally in gangs nor was addicted to anything dangerous. Besides, she was too nice of a person. Too nice. Feeling bothered by the topic at hand, Shakuntala aimed to change it around entirely, but nothing else was coming to mind. And, by the look on her sister's face, she knew it was a good time to do so. Such a topic was depressing and filled the air of Priya's room with a dank, heavy feeling. Deciding that anything was better than death and/or dying, Shakuntala randomly wanted to talk about chickens, but Sita, again, caught her off guard.
"One more thing," Sita mentioned, "just... Promise me nothing's going to happen to you, okay, Shakuntala? I know you've already been in training for a year and a few months, but I mean afterward... You said you were going to join the survey scouts, right?"
Shakuntala nodded her head. Despite not admitting wholly why she was joining (admitting it was for the horses sounded a bit childish, but her ambition to become a veterinary officer was big), the younger Tischendorf had confided at least that much in her sibling.
"They have the most deaths, right?"
Again, Shakuntala nodded her head, and swallowed silently afterward. That was very, very true, but even she did not want to admit it.
"Then make sure you come back alive... Always. No matter what. For Priya."
Shakuntala dipped her head one last time. "F-for Priya," she responded.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:47 pm
private || Instant MessageShakuntala/Lenore
Shakuntala is commanded to take a message to Santos and bumps into Lenore.
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:34 pm
private || Clip ArtShakuntala/Zinnia
Shakuntala goes for a trim, but ends up unwillingly cutting hair instead with Zinnia.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:04 pm
Shakuntala heads to the mess hall for some meat slew after a disappointing end at the Peace Garden.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 4:37 pm
solo || Silver Linings
"E-excuse me, ma'am... Do you... D-do you have any books on horses?"
The woman peeked up from her book, using the back of her hand to nudge up the frames balanced on the tip of her nose. Her eyebrows rose a smidgen in surprise. A trainee? she thought to herself nonchalantly. She was no stranger to any member of the military entering her store to purchase books; even those dedicated to eradicating the titans needed some sort of entertainment. It's just that girl in front of her -- with her stutter and gentle tone of voice -- did not seem like the type to be in it. She cast away her thoughts with a shrug, however. Critically analyzing her customers was not good for business. Instead, she cocked her head to the back of the store.
"'Round the corner, dear," the elderly woman replied before dropping her eyes back onto her book.
Shakuntala followed her eyes in the direction of the woman's rather ambiguous point. Her mind pressed her to ask again and request a more significant path to those books, but seeing how deeply the woman seemed to be submersed in her own, the copper-skinned girl dare not question her further. Instead, she chose to seek out those desired tomes herself. Since the trainee had wanted to become a veterinary officer for the scouts, she had been reading up on as much material as she could about horses. Unfortunately, her range of information was limited save for times when she crossed paths with Cherise and received some pointers. Other than her, Shakuntala only had books to turn to, which prompted her trip down to Shiganshina to pick up a few more to read.
The bookstore she entered was overflowing with text to the point where tomes formed small mounds at the bases of bookshelves because there was no more room on them. Shakuntala's eyes swept over the labels on the shelves; fiction, non-fiction, encyclopedias, almanacs -- there was even a section dedicated to Wallist literature. Her steps stopped when she came upon animal care. She sidestepped into it as she sought out anything related to horses. Eventually, Shakuntala found something and her eyes widened at the title: Equine Internal Medicine. It was exactly what she had in mind. There was a slight problem, however -- as she reached up to slide it from its spot, the trainee realized her fingertips only bumped the bottom of its binding.
She didn't want to chance it, but her desire to learn was like an upward thrust of her determination. Shakuntala fit the tip of her boot snugly onto the lowest shelf and pushed herself up. As if clambering up a ladder, she lifted her leg up to the next, and rose herself up from this one; taking her closer to the book. As she stretched an arm to finally get it, her hand knocked against another, and the girl snapped her neck to the owner of the member in surprise. In turn, the other girl's eyes widened, and the two beheld the familiar face they saw with shock. Shakuntala suddenly rocked back and lost her footing. Adalwolfa's eyes widened and she shot her hand out to catch the trainee, but the girl proved to be too heavy and the two dropped to the ground with a crash and clatter.
The owner of the bookstore was startled from her sentence and rose suddenly from her chair. She raced to the opening between the bookshelves and discovered Shakuntala flat on her back and Adalwolfa seated on her thigh as she rubbed a sore spot on her temple. The woman searched the two with a look of incredulity and questioning.
"What happened here?" the woman demanded to know.
Shakuntala crooked her neck upward at the moment. Blinking, she suddenly shot her hand forward, and seized Adalwolfa by her wrist. Staggering to her feet, she pulled the dazed silver-haired girl up as well and pointed at her accusingly.
"She... S-she was going to steal s-something!" Shakuntala cried.
Suddenly, both Adalwolfa's and the store clerk's eyes widened. "What?!" they both shouted in unison at her.
Adalwolfa thinned her lips and pitched a rock into the barge to vent out her frustrations. The small pebble bounced off the parallel side before making a small plop! into the water. Shakuntala sat on the fencing of a house a small distance away, her nails digging into the wood of the barrier as she bowed her head and bit her lip in dismay. Glancing her maroon eyes up to the silver-haired female, she pushed herself off of it, and neared her.
"I'm... I-I'm so, so, sooo s-sorry," she apologized, keeping her eyes downcast to the girl's tattered boots as she wrung her hands. "I... I j-just thought about our f-first encounter and... I'm s-sorry."
Adalwolfa turned to her, hands to her hips, and steadied a glare on at the top of her ebony locks. It was pitiful seeing the girl she had met who knows how long before acting like a kid who had just been scolded. She let out a heavy exhale and kicked a bit of the dirt up by her feet.
"Don't worry about it," she replied with a small shake of her head, "You were just doing what's expected of you, right? When did you join, anyway?"
Shakuntala blinked, and then cocked her head up. "O-oh, you mean the m-military?" She received a nod in return. "About... A-about a year and a half? Two years? I can't... I c-can't remember."
Adalwolfa shrugged a shoulder. "The uniform looks good on you," she grinned, "What branch are you headed into?"
"The... survey c-corps..."
"Hunh... You've got some guts, Mousey. Don't a lot of people die in that branch?"
Shakuntala began to noticeably fidget, provoking a croak of Adalwolfa's voice. "I... I didn't mean that you're going to die!" she quickly corrected. "I mean, you're pretty strong, right? You pulled me up with one arm before."
Shakuntala gave her an embarrassed smile. While she didn't mind that the conversation was currently about her, she was much more concerned for Adalwolfa's current state. She looked worse than the last time the copper-skinned girl had seen her. The trainee could've pulled her up because she was surprisingly light. Was she eating well? Did she not have or earn enough money to buy food?
"How... H-how have you been?" Shakuntala asked with a tilt of her head.
Adalwolfa's bright smile dimmed. "I've been well," she lied, "The farmer I work for provides enough food, rent is cheap, and a lot of the girls are good friends... So I've been earning my fill with a comfortable life."
Shakuntala cast her a gentle smile despite seeing through her thinly veiled fib. "T-that's good to hear," she replied. Rubbing her arm bashfully and glancing her eyes down again, she added, "Just... J-just know, that, um, if you ever r-run into trouble, you can join the m-military..."
"Whaaaat?" Adalwolfa asked incredulously.
"I m-mean!" Shakuntala squawked, "N-not that you should, I mean... I-I mean, they can provide food, shelter, and, um, s-security, y'know? Sure, your life is one the l-line at times, but it... It's for a c-cause, right? Only if you, like, really, r-really need to..."
Adalwolfa made a face of deep offense. Does this girl think I'm crazy?! she huffed mentally. There's no way I'd join the military!
However, she forced a smile at Shakuntala. "Heh, every cloud has its silver lining, eh?" she asked. "I'll consider your offer if things ever get bad. Anyway, I have to go. The farmer will have my a** if I'm late for my shift.
"R-right," Shakuntala nodded, urging her to go with her chin. "I'll, um, I-I'll see you around sometime, y-yea?" As Adalwolfa returned a dip of her chin to her and ran off, the trainee's eyes snapped to her retreating back and she suddenly shouted, "H-hey, wait, I never asked you y-your name!"
"Franziska!" Adalwolfa called out to her without stopping. "Call me Fran next time!"
Shakuntala beamed. "Y-yea! O-okay!" she cried back, waving a hand above her head. "I will! See... S-see you later!"
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 4:42 pm
Shakuntala attends a secondary class of 3DMG practice and theory to better acquaint herself with use of the gear.
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:07 pm
private || Hay DayShakuntala/Saoirse
Shakuntala tries to recover the runaway horse, Bounty, after the steed escapes his stall with the help of Saoirse.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:40 pm
solo || Stack of Letters
Dear Sita,
I'm sorry I haven't visited you the passed two weekends! Things have been getting very busy around the compound lately and I can't seem to catch a break. So much training... So much work to do... I just want a nap. Next weekend, if you can, prepare a bed. I'd love to get some sleep at your place since having a wink here is impossible.
Enough about me. How is Priya? Is she running around a lot, hiding beneath your skirt? She's grown so much these passed three years! Every time I see her, she looks so much like you. The spitting image of you, actually. She even has the Tischendorf's unruly curls. Poor girl. Like us, it's going to be a pain to brush it as it grows out...
I'm sorry this letter is so brief, but I'm writing this on my break from mucking out stalls. If Santos see me dawdling... I don't even want to think of the consequences. I hope you're doing well, Sita, and I can't wait to see you again.
Best wishes,
Shakuntala
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Shakuntala,
How I miss you! There is so much to do around the house and without you here, I feel like I can never get anything done! I prepared a bed as you had asked, but you didn't show again. Do they keep you that busy there? Please tell me you are in good health. I would hate to find out my only sister is catching cold from stress and fatigue. Especially with winter coming up so soon. Remember: You will always have my support despite what mother thinks. You are a strong trainee, I just wish that swine, Santos, could understand that. Didn't you tell me you had to run ten laps last time he caught you? I hope he doesn't again! Just remember to come around next weekend, I really want to see you!
Priya is just a ball of energy. It is tiring keeping up with her. I can admit one thing I miss since Roland left, his help (what little I got from him) did lessen the stress that comes with raising her. Being a mother is an awful chore and, had I knew it would come to this, I would have never agreed to have children. But at the same time, I am so happy to have this little girl in my life. Priya's so curious too. A little too curious, mind you. She loves exploring, but sometimes gets herself into a lick of trouble here or there. Just the other day, I had to pull a dragonfly from her mouth! The little piggly thought it was something to eat. She worries me though; how will she grow up to be? This curiousness can't be good.
Speaking of mothers, I saw ours yesterday for the first time since my marriage. Abram wasn't with her, so I do believe her visit was completely unwarranted. We did keep up with each other through mail, but there was only so much I could take of her repetitive letters that I lessened it from one per week to just once a month. All Kamla fawned about was my wedding, how proud she was of me of marrying, and asked of Roland. She made no mention or inquiry of you, but then again, I don't think she even knows of yours visits here. As always, our conversation carried on the same way as it does in our letters, except she had me at a loss when she questioned about my ex-husband. I didn't know how to break the news to her and even felt that lying was the best option. I regret not doing so.
I wanted to be upfront about my plans for my daughter and spilled everything out to her like a bag of marbles. Just as I admitted this, Kamla seemed to lose hers completely. She shouted at me, claiming I couldn't raise a child by myself and that I needed a man to ever live a good family life. By the Walls, Shakuntala, I was so angry. Is this how you felt all those times mother pushed you to wed? I yelled at her straight back, cursing her for her rudeness and even asking her why she held marriage in such a high regard if her betrothal to our father was hardly the best of relationships? She grew so red, Shakuntala. As bright as blood. She left my home in a huff without another word to me, not even a goodbye.
It felt so satisfying, but I did upset her so. Like you, I don't think she'll be speaking until she cools her head. Who knows how long that will be. With time, I'm sure she'll forgive me and maybe even you, and we can grow closer again. Our family is such a unfinished jigsaw, Shakuntala, so broken up. Only with the right pieces can we come together again.
Sita
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Dear Sita,
Bad luck seems to follow me everywhere! It just so happened Santos did catch me and I had to run another ten laps on top of the ones I could not finish last time! I'm aching everywhere, Sita. It hurts to even write this. Please don't worry about me, though. The pain I feel now is nothing in comparison to what is to come when fighting titans. That reason alone makes all of this easier to bare, in my opinion.
Priya should be your first priority. I'll mend my own wounds, but please be there to kiss hers. She's such a darling girl and hearing about her in your letters makes my days here go so much smoother. Soon, I will be rid of this place and that awful Santos. It's going to be hard to let go though. I have become to close to so many people and the horses here, saying goodbye as we part ways is going to hurt. There are some who will be going into the survey regiment with me, but there is so much danger. What if they die? I don't want to think about it, Sita. Just writing this made me come to tears. My friends here are so dear to me. I love them so much, even though I can't put my feelings into words and tell them. I care about them more than myself. They're all such lovely people.
I feel better now, though. The portion with mum made me hoot with such laughter that I spooked Velvet, one of my favorite horses here at the compound. Poor dear wouldn't even come near me, but to read something like that made me so very happy, Sita. I'm proud of you. It is about time the Tischendorf daughters stand up to such a tyrant! She can't control her lives, not anymore and not ever. We've come so far, haven't we? When we were young, we would hardly say a word to each other save certain pleasantries, but now we send letters back and forth to each other daily. How I wish I could've had this relationship with you when we were children. How different I might've turned out... But I don't regret the person I have become, Sita, or the relationship we have now. You are my best friend, please always remain such a wonderful person.
You're right, our family is broken. I've been asking myself everyday, "How can I mend the wounds I created?" All of the problems we face now with mum and pappa is because of me. If I hadn't chosen to join the military, to fight titans... Maybe we could've been a better family. I could be with you there, now, caring for Priya in place of Roland. I could be there to help pappa out at the butcher shop, to cook with mum again, to sleep until noon and read late into the night. I miss being with my family, Sita. I've been getting irrationally angered lately at other trainees who drone on about how they wish not to visit their parents. I bury my madness, but I want to shout at them, "At least you're lucky to have a family to return to!" It bothers me that such a mundane thing could be taken for granted. I'm sorry this letter had become so sentimental all of a sudden. You're right, I should be going one step at a time, but I want to take a bounding leap. For every two steps forward, we seem to take three steps back. I just want to see my family together again, smiling, Sita.
Best wishes,
Shakuntala
P.S. I'll try to come this weekend.
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Shakuntala,
It was good to see you again! Thank you so much for your help last week on the roof. If I wasn't such a coward with heights, I would've replaced those shingles myself, but getting me even one foot off the floor has me in jitters! I was perpetually shocked with how easy you climbed that ladder and got to work. Has use of the 3DMG made you that fearless? Maybe I should consider joining the military. Then I could conquer my phobias as well! The pains you talk of in your letters may be a bit much, though. Childbirth itself was enough for me.
Have I mentioned how pretty you've become? You would always keep your hair so short. I don't mean to judge, but longer hair suits you so much more! It curls in a gentle way; not like mine at all. My hair is so thick a person needs a machete just to get through it! I think you've also grown taller, or maybe your uniform just makes you look more dignified as you grow older. It's almost your twentieth birthday, isn't it? I must get you a gift, what would you like?
Also, did you and your friends enjoy the cakes we made last week? I'm sure it was a wonderful surprise, especially from someone who cares so much about them. Do let me know what they thought. If their opinions are good enough, I might just pursue a business in baking. It actually has been on my mind a while. I am racked with guilt from relying on Abram so much and want to repay his kindness. Knowing him, he will likely relent, but what do you expect of our father? He may be standoffish, but he has such a warm, giving heart. I don't know if I am any good, but I want to give Priya a good life. Better than the ones we had. I want to raise her right without any pressures like Kamla put on us. As a mother, that is my number one wish.
Oh my goodness, you almost had me in tears. I never thought I'd ever have someone think of me as such, especially my own sister. Please don't take that the wrong way. As you said, we weren't very close growing up, but look at us now. We're as thick as thieves. I extend the same gratitude to you. Thank you so much for being with me through my time of need and becoming the person Roland could never be. You too are my best friend, Shakuntala. My dearest sister, I am so happy to have you in my life. I know you're impatient, but time heals. No matter how long it may be, ten years, fifty years, our family will come together again. I am sure of that. We will smile again, together as should have from the start. I am positive of this, Shakuntala, so please don't lose hope.
This world is grim, but you're the light of my life, Shakuntala. I hope others realize the warmth you have to give.
Sita
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Dear Sita,
Is it odd to say I waited with bated breath for your letter, Sita? You letters do give me this certain comfort I look forward to. I was chewed out again by Santos. Just last week, a horse escaped from the stalls and I was forced into a run after it with another trainee. It took so much effort, but I managed to wrangle the steed back to the barn. Despite the consequences that arose from its escape, I must admit it was the first bit of excitement to come about in a long time here. The days seem to be drifting into another another with the boredom and repetition that marks each day.
You have me blushing! I literally had to step out from titan theory, where I'm writing this, just to clear my head. To be honest, I wasn't trying a new look. I've been so busy lately... I've never taken the time to cut my hair. I do prefer my shorter look because it was easier to manage, but I dare not have anyone lay a hand on my head. Ever since those incidences with the demon barber, I've taken it upon myself to never have my hair cut again.
By the Walls, Sita, don't even think about joining! I know it would be a big step for you. I would even encourage you to in a heartbeat if you did not have Priya to take care of. She needs you there with her. You could hand her off to Kamla to take care of, but I'd advise against it. Who knows what hogwash that woman would fill her head with, especially at such a young age? Please continue doing your best. Being a mother is tough work, on par with even military standards! So you're strong enough as it is.
I must be honest here: I did not give the cakes to them. I was greedy and ate them all for myself or traded them with other trainees to take on chores I had no interest in completing to spend more time with the horses. I'm sorry I did this without knowing you wanted an opinion on them. They were quite good, though! Very delicious! I definitely think you should go into baking, you have an art for it! I know there isn't much employment options for a single mother and a guild may make profits hard to come by, but I encourage you to pursue this.
Sita, you don't have to get me anything! The gift of your company is enough. I'm sorry I'm getting so sentimental again, but it is the truth. Speaking of birthdays, do note I won't be able to make it this weekend again, so don't plan anything in surprise. I've been recently informed I'm set to graduate. Part of me wants to spend more time here at the compound, but my heart is set on joining the survey corps. My files are going to be handed off in these few days and I'm going to transfer there soon. I'd like to take this weekend to situate myself in and get used to the workings of the branch. It's going to be a major transition, but now I'm one step closer to achieving my ambition, Sita. I can't wait to become a veterinary officer.
Can't wait to see you when all of this is through.
Best wishes,
Shakuntala
+
Shakuntala,
I know I am sending you this letter close to the weekend, but I hope it reaches you before you set out to the corps. What a coincidence, though! You graduating close to your birthday! It must be a gracious gift from above. The timing is too perfect. I'll miss you, Shakuntala, but I can't wait to see you again! I want to hear everything that happened there. Every detail, from start to finish. Since I have reserved myself to not join, as per your wishes, I want to know everything so it feels like I was there myself! You're going to do great.
Abram came by the other day to drop off some extra money and he happened to ask about you. I never told him you came by, but I guess he knows we exchange letters? I don't exactly stow them away when I receive them and keep them on the table in the alcove off the side of the door. I wouldn't be surprised if he happened to catch a glance of them upon coming month after month to provide me with money. I told him you were fine, but I also let it slip that you were graduating. I'm sorry if you wanted to keep it a secret or tell him yourself, but you should've seen the look on his face, Shakuntala. You know our father hardly ever smiles, but he beamed at me with such earnestness. I could've sworn there was also tears in his eyes. He was so proud and wanted this to be known to you. I promised I would tell you, so here I am now. Congrats on graduating, Shakuntala. We're all so happy for you.
I know you said you didn't want a gift, but I'd feel too guilty not giving you something on your birthday. I wish we could celebrate together so I could give this to you in person. In this box with the letter is a cake I made. It was put together a bit hastily because of the small time frame, but I hope it is tastes good. My biggest concern is that it wouldn't reach you in time. How odd it would be to have this just sit in the mail room until you went to the compound again.
Sita
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Dear Sita,
I'm sorry my reply is so late. I hope the two week wait wasn't awful. Ever since I entered, I've been kept on my toes, busy as ever. The cake and your letter did reach me on time. Did I mention how delicious it was? It was better than the smaller ones you made weeks ago. I don't know how you did it, but keep up the great work. It was a wonderful thing to receive when I turned twenty.
While I would like to say that much has happened since entering into the survey corps, I am sorry to admit not much has occurred. Most of my time there has been concentrated on paperwork, situating myself in, and getting to know the people here. By the Walls, Sita, I swear I've met at least fifty people since entering. So many faces and names to remember! After admitting where my specialty lies, higher-ups put me in charge of the horses. However, due to my little experience with veterinary care, I am meant to shadow an experienced officer instead. I never expected to instantly become one, despite how wonderful that would've been. But the woman I learn from is a sweet and kind person. She's patient with my mistakes and always lets me know when I've done something wrong. I realize I slip-up more than usual now, probably because I am in the company of a professional, but I will work hard to provide the best care to these wonderful horses. Letting go of the compound was a bit hard for me, to be honest. I still go back there when I can as a teacher for any recruits that may need help. My main reason, though, is to being amongst my friends again. I can't wait to see them graduate as well. This time apart from them is like a dagger to my heart.
Did pappa really ask for me? My heart swells with joy to know that is how he feels. I always thought of him to be a conceited man, but he truly is kind. Too kind, even for a selfish daughter like me. It has been so long since I've seen him. Unfortunately, I am too busy here at the base to leave or pay him a visit, but I think I'll write him a letter and let him know how I've been these passed few years. It would certainly be a surprise to him. I can only hope mum doesn't come upon the letter I send.
I am sad to admit this may be the last letter you receive from me for a while. It was hard finding time to even write this to you; I should be doing more paperwork right now. I hope you understand. Next time I visit, let's have a big party like you wanted to throw for my birthday. I would love to have some more of your cakes.
Best wishes,
Shakuntala
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