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S E N J A ' S . T A L E

A week later and Senja was back at her special practicing spot, this time with her erhu. No rain happened today, so she instead played to the sound of the wind, smiling as her summer sprite danced in the dappled sunlight. Above her once again the man sat, also watching the sprite. At the end he started as the small orange creature looked straight at him and grinned before zipping down back to Senja.

“Did you like that song Ete?” Senja asked softly as her sprite chuckled and chattered, her small voice sounding if bells and rustling leaves. She started when she heard sounds above her. The oban had finally decided that he would approach, perhaps the sprite seeing him had encouraged him to venture out. Senja was not expecting him that was for sure! She looked up at him with startled eyes, a question in them.

He was a tall man, broad shoulders and long muscled limbs. Vivid red eyes looked out from a square chiseled face, the strong nose hooked slightly from a past brake. His hair was long thin braids tied back with a leather strap. He wore shifter styled clothing, but in the colors and design of his homeland, something that was becoming more common in Neued.

“Ah… Sorry to bother you.” He said nervously, his voice deep and gravely. “I just…” He shrugged.

“Oh! I’m not bothered.” Senja said with a smile. “I was actually out here trying not to bother others with my music. I didn’t...?” She cocked her head as she let the question trail off.

“No! Not at all.” He smiled back and relaxed a little. “I often come up here to take a break from work… I enjoy listening to you play. May I join you?”

“Certainly.” Senja scooted a little to the side to allow him space inside the alcove. “How embarrassing! My practice pieces are being heard.” She was a little embarrassed someone had heard her playing songs based on nothing more than what she wanted to play. Pieces that were made up on the spot and needed polishing!
“I’m Senja and this is Ete.” She motioned to her sprite who was perched on the tip of the erhu’s long stem.

“Zimbasi. Though I go by Azi mostly.” He gently shook her offered hand. “Been meaning to come down and say hi but… didn’t want to scare off the music!” He grinned, eyes twinkling as she giggled.

“Oh I wouldn’t have been sacred away!” Ete fluttered over to him, perching on his shoulder and batting at the dangling gem from his earring. “Ete!” Senja sighed. Zimbasi chuckled and unhooked it to offer her.

“Its fine. I was wondering actually.. where do you get the music from? Some of them seem so sad and deep while others are like Ete here.” He poked the sprite who was wrapping the earring about her as a sash. Senja blushed. Words spoken so honestly that complimented her music made her feel so happy! And embarrassed.

“Well.. for musicians to really play a piece the way it is meant to be played, the way the composer wrote it, you have to feel the emotions, you can’t play a sad song when you’re happy. It doesn’t come out right. So I play what I feel.” She shrugged, slightly embarrassed. “These pieces are usually made up on the spot so… they’re not quite the best.”

Azi looked at her, considering the words. “Mmm. And yet some days it’s so sad… Really tugs at the heart.”

She smiled sadly; “That’s when I think of the ones who died. The ones who aren’t here anymore.” Like her brother’s first born child who’d passed away at a young age. Or her childhood friends who’d been lost in the wars or bandits.

He nodded; “Sorry for prying. I see you and well.. you usually look chipper. Upbeat.”

She giggled and the shadow passed; “That’s because I try not to dwell on the painful things! I’m alive, my son’s alive, most of my family is here. The Theater’s doing well…. there’s a lot of things to be happy about!”

Zimbasi felt a twinge when she mentioned son; I guess I’ll keep my crush under wraps then, he thought with an inner sigh. Figures she’d be married. Instead he smiled;

“There is a lot… You mentioned a theatre?”

“Mm hm! The Crystal Rain Theatre. My family owns and runs it… I perform and compose there. What about you? Why’d you come to Neued? You work near here you mentioned?” Senja was a naturally chatty person; Zimbasi may have been an Oban, but it was years since the war and honestly. Senja had never had any trouble with the Obans who’d moved into Neued. Most were willing to try and live somewhat like Shifters so the issues had with them were minimal at best.

“I’m a smith. Used to work in Sulbrui, Oba’s capitol but…..” He shrugged; “There’s a bunch of smiths there, too many to really live well. Got tired of it and moved here about a year ago. Glad I did! Cities really active, tons of trade, different people, and all sorts of new things to experience. Plus there’s not a lot of smiths to compete with.” His grin was toothy this time as he leaned back against the tree, lounging comfortably as he played with Ete.

She giggled; “Neued's one of our oldest cities.. It’s too far away from Chibale Isles so we never got raided by the Aklidikes when they were expanding… But before your people came the city was decreasing.. just kind of fading away. After the war, all the fire and water tribesman coming here really gave our city new life.” She smiled; “I like the new Neued better than the old!”

He was surprised by that but joined her in smiling. “Hmm.. nice to know something came from our old king’s greedy actions.”

She cocked her head; “Sounds like you didn’t like him too much?”

He shrugged; “I’m common blood.. It’s not like we ever saw our king outside of a parade or anything! Mostly we just see his policies and the nobles doing whatever they want.”

Senja wrinkled her nose; “The whole noble commoner thing is something I don’t understand. Are commoners not as.. noble or something?” The idea of a hierarchy other than ‘Family head, councilor, chief, shaman’ was foreign to her. No other tribes that she’d wandered through in her youth had such things.

He laughed; “Ah no! They’re just… rich and powerful is all. Family must have been chieftains or something when the Kings of old united our tribes into one big nation. They gained prestige and it let them get more wealth which gave them a bigger say in the politics and…” He shrugged; “Things just got better for them. Sometimes you have a noble down on their luck and the house dies off but mostly the nobles never change.”

She made an icky face; “Gross! One should gain power by their own achievements… not because you’re someone’s child!”

“I know right?” He shook his head at his own people’s folly. “I like it out here, I get respect because I’m a good crafter and can make weapons and armor... and other tools. Back home I was just some commoner and not worth a nobles time. If you don’t have a name you have nothing there. Out here it’s free… a lot more loose and wild too.” He laughed. “You’re people do know how to party I’ll say that!”

“With all this rain about we tend to make the most of the sunny days.. Guess keeping it all pinned in means we really let loose?” Senja giggled.

They spent a greater part of the afternoon chatting, eventually he waked her back to the theater (so he could find it again he claimed) before he left to return to work. Senja was glad to have made a new friend; she looked forward to their next chat after her next practice. Perhaps I will start practicing outside more often. Zimbasi was glad he’d finally gone to talk to the lovely musician. A bit disappointed she was claimed, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t stick around and enjoy her company!

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

Bad stuff happens here and she divorces her husband. Sakhile leaves for Oba with friends.

PRP never happened but the event still happened. Saki has it in his journal as an AIM rp. Cannot use as Rp or anything.

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

Dear Rastain,

First of all; how dare you? Calling us blind and ungrateful? Excuse me for having a life! For having friends! A job! Yes I dance…. I danced before I met you and I’ll dance after you’re gone. You knew that I danced, that I loved to be around people when we first met! How dare you expect me to just drop everything and act all serious, dour, and stop enjoying the things I’ve always loved? What’s wrong with flirting with my freinds? They know that its all fun and games. No, apparently all I have to do is smile for you, just dance for you, and not be a fun outgoing person.

Yes, I noticed the bottles and I wasn’t happy about it. But you never said anything! Just kept on being you! Keeping everything to yourself till you snapped and got into that argument with us! You act like you were the only one who ever cared about me or treated me nicely… that you’re the only man who’ll ever do so. Frankly I find that disturbing. Are you really so insecure you have to put down everyone to make yourself feel better? Yes Sakhile listens to me, because I never told him no to every little single thing! I taught him how to climb rather than keep him safe and wrapped in wool. I taught him how to get along with people, talk to them so that he will always be able to make a friend. Maybe you should have tried to relax a little and let him play and be a kid…

I’m not sure if the person you’ve become these past years is the same man I fell in love with and married… or maybe you were and I’m just now coming to see the real you.

I am just glad that Saki did not have to see your letter... that there’s a chance he won’t come to hate you. Why do you think his friends, people he’s grown up along side and played with all his life, will turn on him and... use him?! What sort of pessimistic dark thinking is that? I don’t know what made you think that people are always the worse and I wonder if I should have asked more. If maybe by asking, why you were so over protective, asking about your past, would have kept things from getting like this… but it doesn’t matter. What is done is done and you are not welcome back in my life. I hope you find something to make yourself happy with cause apparently we weren’t enough.


Good bye,

Senja

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

To him she was always alluring; the way she moved, the way she made every move look like a dance, the way she looked, the way she acted. The bewitching eyes that laughed just as easily as they enticed and attracted him. Her soft inviting lips that would always smirk and smile, always teasing and tempting. The tantalizing curves of her voluptuous hips that swayed and danced with every step she took that would distract him. Her intense and impassioned voice that set his heart racing. The sweet songs she played on her instruments; the graceful lingering touch of her fingers along the strings of her Aejang; the enthralling movements of her arms and body as she danced, moving to her own beat.

But she was always out of reach, married to another and happily so it appeared. Until one day it broke down, and he found himself having to suppress his desires even more, his longing, his dreams. She was hurting, struck down by her husband's actions and not someone he should approach.

He was filled with many emotions, all raging inside. Elation that he could be with her, rage that she had been so hurt, sadness at her tears, longing as intense for her as ever. But what could he do? To her he was only a friend. Someone who she’d met one rainy day while playing her music in the jungle.


So he waited… stood by her side and gave her that shoulder to cry upon, gave her some foundation upon which to stand while he waited until she had healed enough for him to approach, to see if he had a chance.


That chance came a year later.

Senja was feeling better than she had in months; her life was getting back together after the disaster of a divorce and she felt up to music and performing once more. She wasn’t feeling hurt or depressed anymore either… instead she felt like her old self.. just a bit more mature!

Tonight she was feeling giddy and free; and ready to step out of her shell once more. She knew of Zimbasi’s feelings... it was hard not to though she knew he hid it rather well! There’d been one too many lingering glances, words almost said then swallowed, small things… and the way he would hold her when she cried gave it away. It was far more intense than a friend, far more protective than someone who didn’t care, too gentle, too sweet. That had helped her, a lot.. and the way he had been there had, over this past year, convinced her to see him in another light, one that he would have been overjoyed to know she was looking at him that way too.

Senja had always enjoyed looking at him; the way his muscles had moved as he worked in his smithy, the broad shoulders and large gentle hands. The easy on the eyes face and flashing eyes. But she hadn’t wanted to move beyond friends until she was certain it could be more than friends with benefits. Senja didn’t want that (though she would have enjoyed it!); she wanted someone steady, someone to be there for her and who wouldn’t cage her. And she was hoping that Zimbasi was just the man….

Tonight, the moon was high and full, the jungle alive with the sound of insects and creatures, soft strains of music floating up from the houses below. Tonight felt alive, full of potential and vigor and Senja was getting intoxicated off of it. Also the wine she and Zimbasi were drinking high above in the small patio house that he’d built to enjoy nights such as these was probably helping that intoxication.

Tipsy and laughing freely, she danced about the patio, her body quivering with the sheer enjoyment of life. As she danced, she saw herself reflected in his eyes, eyes that burned with desire as they watched her ecstatic dancing. She felt his eyes almost like they were hands upon her body, tantalizing and tormenting in their soft touch. Heat stirred within her and she changed her dance to match it. From a simple dance of joy she slowly transitioned into a sensual carnal movement that she’d never done before; not even for her ex husband. She watched out of the corner of her eyes as his body went from relaxed to agitated. The way his tongue darted out to wet his lip, the subtle shifting of his hips, the tightening of his muscles stirred the fire within her till she burned.

She twisted and twined, her hands lightly stroking her body as she sashayed before him, enjoying the longing fervent look in his eyes, shamelessly pleased at the torment she was causing him as she writhed in her hedonistic dance. To be wanted so badly, to see his tense body shivering slightly as he held himself back made her feel beautiful, filled her with an almost euphoric amusement and joy. She was still beautiful and desirable!

His fervent gaze awoke an intense need in her, an ache that consumed her. As she breathlessly came to a finish, she slowly sashayed towards him, deliberately letting him watch her, let him see her emotions. He watched, eyes widening when he saw his feelings echoed in her eyes; wordlessly he held out a hand to her, a request and question all in one silent motion. She smiled and slid her hand into his; answering his question with a yes.

They didn’t care they were in the open, where anyone could see the passion consummated that night, didn’t care that her passionate cries and his deep moans could be heard. Tonight was for them; tonight they gave into their carnal desires and hedonistic needs. Tonight they were in a sinful paradise of passion and ecstasy. Tonight they didn’t care about anything except fulfilling each other’s desires and enticing greater pleasures from each other’s writhing bodies.

Tomorrow they could think about the future, if this was a one night thing, or if anyone saw or heard… But tonight was a night for just them.

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

Senja listened wide eyed to the travelers in ZImbasi’s smithy as they gossiped with her lover about their travels. They were old friends of his; caravan guards and had greeted her presence with amusement at first; amused that Zimbasi had found himself a shifter lover. Their reactions to her when they found out she was divorced had been odd; why did it matter she had once been married to another man? Men boasted about their past conquests all the time! She’d had some growls at one who thought she was loose because of it. Zimbasi hadn’t known about it and she wasn’t going to tell.. not until the man was out of town at least! No need for him to get some bones broken and a friendship ruined since he was an idiot right? He’d understood after her Mammu Shilea had sat on him… that was punishment enough Senja thought. And he’d not approached her anymore and had been a perfect gentleman afterwards.

Now though they were talking about things from the Yeali island; the rumors of more than just the strange Yealian earthlings that lived there. The yealians, if you asked Senja, were odd enough! Glowing eyes? Dark stone and faded colors? They sounded perfectly beautiful and fascinating! Words of the animals that lived there were even more fun! Snakes that you could see the spine as if they were made of crystal? Divine! Small miniature moving mountains? She wanted one! A Turtle with a garden upon its back? Even more wants! She was filled with longing to see the land, to talk to them, learn of their music and dances. But it was, she sighed, too dangerous right now.
If even the yealians were scared of something there then wouldn’t it be worse than the alkidike threat she was used too? Dark things rising out of the ground that stole your soul did not sound like the banished alkidikes at all! Maybe a trail of dead bodies from them but not soul stealing.

“I wonder if they’ll come here.” She mused out loud. The men looked at her and she smiled; “It’s too dangerous a journey to go there but if one came here I could talk with them! I’d rather not risk going to a land filled with toxic plants.”

“You won’t have to go there… some of them have fled their land or are venturing into Matori and Oba on their own.” One of Zimbasis’s friends said with a chuckle. “Though they get mobbed by people like you, all curious and what not so maybe they’ll go back home after too much questions!” They all chuckled and Senja sniffed in disapproval.

Annoying louts! She wanted them gone already so she could plan her trip with Zimbasi! That and she was getting tired of being talked down too. Her oban lover must have gotten the hint somehow since he wrapped the conversation up and sent them on their way.

“You seem a bit miffed.” He said with a smile after they left.

“Your friends are interesting I suppose.. “ She said with a sigh. “I just wished they weren’t so arrogant!”

He laughed; “To them you are from a city that we conquered so that makes you lesser in their eyes. Sadly they’re old soldiers and very much a man is better than woman and oban better than everyone personality.” He reached out to brush aside a lock of her hair. “Sorry you had to put up with them. They’re not bad once you get to know them…”

“Mm.. or get used to being thought of as a floosy loose woman they can ignore unless they want something.” She sniffed.

He raised an eyebrow; “Did they say something I should know about?” His voice deepened; he did not appreciate insults towards her at all. She grinned, happy with the protective side that didn’t confine or try to control her at all.

“I dealt with it so no need my dear! Shilea and I dealt with it.” Her eyes glinted and Zimbasis chuckled and relaxed.

“I suppose this talk of Yeal made you want to go there?” He asked.

“Mm.. sorta… I want to but at the same time. I’d rather finish my travels in Tendaji before going to an entire new land known to be filled with toxins, extremist alkidikes, and who knows what else dangerous animals! Let’s stick to what we planned already.” She said as she straightened up from her lounging position to being the discussion of when, were and what to bring once more.


(finished 1/27/16)

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

Senja looked around the house and sighed. She had so much stuff! And while she didn’t mind letting her little sister take care of her house while she and Zimbasi when on their trip; she was feeling... nervous about that. She didn’t want to leave! Except she did. She wanted to stay and compose and perform; but she also wanted to wander the world for a bit, see lands she never saw and enjoy life a bit. And maybe run into her wandering teenage son! He’d been gone for so long! And so much had happened in that time!

She smiled a bit sadly. At least he’d missed the huge break up between her and her first husband. But he’d also missed the only wedding Senja had ever had. She had missed him then… perhaps that is why she had wanted it small and simple rather than the huge affair Zimbasi had been aiming for. She’d enjoyed the small affair they’d had: a large family dinner followed by the priestess of Serin to say a few words as the moon rose above the canopy and then back down into the houses for the after ceremony party. That had indeed been fun! Of course it’d mostly been her family and their friends… and she knew Zimbasi had been a bit sad his family hadn’t been there. But when we are in Oba and with his family there, I bet he’ll convince me to do another ceremony. She thought with a smile as she finished carefully wrapping her aejang up and storing it. He’ll get his big party then!

“Senja!” She heard Zimbasi’s deep voice call up from below.

“Almost done!” She called back. Her musical instruments were all stored except the erhu and pan pipes she was taking with her; the clothing all stored well away from her little sisters prying hands and any critters that would try to nest in them. She did one last go over before grabbing her pack and swinging down the ladder to the ground where Zimbasi and Shilea her mammu were waiting.

“Guess now all I have to do is hope Chantuer doesn’t burn the house down or get into my clothing!” She said with a smile to her husband.

Zimbasi chuckled and kissed her forehead. “She’ll do fine. She’s an adult now.”

“And yet still so young to me!” Senja laughed and shook her head, her pony tail brushing her cheeks as it flipped around. “I bet she’s got a lover who’s gonna move in real fast.”

“Ehhh…. Several admirers for sure. Not sue she’s actually picked one yet.” He said with a wink. “Having just one move in would be nicer than her using it as a love shack!"

“…You had to say that.” Senja said with a wrinkle of her nose. The idea of her little sister using her house as a place to hook up and sleep around was… distasteful. Oh she knew that these things happened! She just didn’t want it in her house! Or in her bed… Because she knew Chantuer would pick the most comfy place to sleep and that was Senja’s bed.

“Enough on that. Lets get you out of here and on the road before you find a reason to stay.” Zimbasi gave Senja a kiss and helped her on top of Shilea’s back, where a small Ete was sitting, wings vibrating happily.

“Ete looks like she’s eager to leave.” Senja smiled. “Guess she enjoyed the last trip we took together!”

Zimbasi grinned as he climbed up and sat perched near Shilea’s head. “Well, maybe she likes seeing new places? Or got bored staying in one place all these years?”

Ete fluttered up and perched on Zimbasi’s head, tugging the tightly braided strains and chattering in her sweet bell toned voice. “I know I know.” He gently patted Shilea’s head and the large mammu moved out.

With Shilea there, their path was slow and much longer as they took the scenic safer roads. It also meant they had more creature comforts than normal which Senja was vastly grateful for. They had a large tent with plenty of rugs in it to cushion the hard ground. Enough food and water to not worry till the next town so neither had to hunt. And (most importantly) a safe place to sit and watch the world go by instead of walking everywhere. Senja wouldn’t have minded walking... but it was nice to laze about on Shilea’s back and play her music. And the large mammu’s presence kept most of the bandits away!

Not all but most... and the one time some had tried to attack Zimbasi was quick to drop down and wield his long shafted hammer to beat them back.

“It’s so nice to have a tall handsome protector.” Senja fluttered her eyelashes at him coyly. As he hopped back up afterwards.

Zimbasi had laughed and kissed her passionately. Senja grinned; knowing that they’d probably stop early tonight… Something about fights getting the blood pumping…..

As the days passed the jungle shrunk, the tall trees spreading out and grasslands began taking over. The winding river they were following swelled and then split off as the land flattened out and they left Jahuar’s southern border into Oba.

“Its… a lot more hot than I’d expected.” Senja said worriedly as she kept an eye on her mammu. “Will Shilea be okay? Her fur’s meant for Zena…”

Zimbasi ran a hand through the thick fur. “We might need to give her a bit of a shave. Or trim at least. Nights will get cold so I don’t want to take it all off.”

“She’ll look funny but at least she’ll be cooler.” Senja agreed.

“It’ll be fun trimming it.” Zimbasi laughed. “I’ll try to spin it together like Quhar fur… might make decent wool!”

“Do you do that with Quhar?” Senja asked curiously. She’d seen them in caravans from Oba…. They had thick fur for a country so hot!

“Theres whole farms dedicated to raising Quhar for their thick fur and then spinning it together. It’s a pain in the a**.. but it gets us most of our wools for rugs and tapestries.. and clothing for winter.”

Senja eyed Shilea’s lovely pale blue hide. “Hmmm..” This would be interesting!
.

S E N J A ' S . T A L E

Senja woke up a few months out of Neued feeling sick. Or at least like she had to puke! Grumbling to herself she slid out of the warm bed she shared with her husband and tiptoed to the bathroom. She hopped she wasn’t getting sick! Being sick meant she couldn’t go out and talk to dancers or musicans! She’d have to stay in bed all day and try to recover. But later that day she felt fine… After a few days she realized what it was and smiled as she washed her face and mouth out.

“Are you doing okay Senja?” Zimbasi asked worriedly from the doorway. “You’ve been doing this for a few days now…”

She smiled at him and snuggled into his broad chest as he worriedly patted her hair.

“Its fine, love.” She looked up at him with a smirk. “You’re going be a father!”

He stared at her, eyes wide and stunned before slowly smiling broadly. “You’re pregnant?”

“Looks like it.” Senja said with a contented sigh. “This ought to make up for your mother missing the weding right?” She said dryly. Zimbasi’s mother had been thrilled to see her eldest son married... and upset she hadn’t been invited!

“Are you up for staying here for that long?” Zimbasi asked curiously as he picked her up and carried her back to their bed. “Is there anything you need?”

Senja giggled; it was her second time so she wasn’t as nervous... but this would be Zimbasi’s first child! And he’d only ever dealt with little rascals after they’d grown up a bit!

“I’ll let you know if I do need anything.” She kissed him and giggled. “As for staying here… If I do so I can get more music and dances gathered up and documented. And find Sakhile... where ever he is.” She frowned at that.

“You did send that letter out right?” Zimbasi asked as he sat next to her. She nodded. “Then he’ll find us. Or I can ask around and find out Alo’s family’s location and ask them.”

“That would be nice.” Senja said. “I’d like to know he’s still alive at least… or if he’d accept you.” She was nervous about that; sure Rastian had angered Sakhile right before their son had left… but Sakhile was not one to hold grudges so he might b upset that his parents had separated… or be disapproving that Senja had ended up with the one guy she’d spent far too much time with before the divorce.

Zimbasi kissed her forehead and wrapped an arm about her waist to pull her into a loose hug.
“It’ll be fine. Saki hung out at the smithy a lot. And if he won’t accept me as a father that’s fine too.”

“I want him to accept you.” She said sadly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

“He’s his own self. We get along as is and that’s enough for now. Maybe in the future… Though I would like him to be around as a big brother.”

She smiled. “I’d like that too.” She had missed her son these past two years…

S E N J A ' S . T A L E