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 Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:04 pm
solo || Sudden Gift
Centa was a proud woman. Her laugh was burly and loud and her forearms were thick enough that Shakuntala was positive the veterinarian could snap her neck in two if she was wedged between them. Locks of a fiery burgundy tangled like the ebb and flow of the rivers passing through Shiganshina all the way down to her waist; stray fringes pushed back under the cover of a bright red bandana. She was the woman the soldier was shadowing to earn enough experience to finally stand amongst the ranks of other veterinary officers. At first, she was absolutely terrified of the woman; equating her size and strength to intimidation. But after spending thorough amounts of time with her, Shakuntala found Centa to be nothing more than a gentle giant. In a ways, she reminded her of a female Marco Baldy; though Centa was quite boisterous and never let her thoughts fall to deaf ears.
The older woman threw her head back in a roar of laughter as she banged a fist on her knee, the other clawed around a glass tankard. Shakuntala was shriveled up next to her, wincing with a small smile to the joke she didn't understand. The smell of nicotine and liquor poured from the woman's mouth and the copper-skinned soldier repressed a much wanted gag.
"N' that b***h 'ad it comin' ta 'er too!" Centa cackled. "Shoulda been lookin' both ways a'fore she crossed!"
"Y-Yea..." Shakuntala agreed, nodding her head a few times. "She, um, s-she didn't get hurt though, right...?"
Centa took a slurp of her ale and shook her head, dragging the back of her hand across chapped lips. "No, no, Shaky, she didn', just got a big ol' bruise fer takin' a tumble," she replied. "What d'ya expect from someon' who thought they could drive two wagons at once, eh? Damn idiot..."
Shakuntala looked to the ground and kicked up a stray pebble by her boot, gloved hands tightening about the wood of the split rail fencing she leaned against with her mentor. "So, w-where is Ruth now, a-anyway?" the girl inquired. The soldier had heard so much tales of this infamous Ruth that she was positive Centa could even tell her the size of her big toe if she had asked. "I h-hear so much about your daughter... I, um, I-I would love to m-meet her..."
Glancing to Centa's rugged face, she noticed the forty year old's features grow exceptionally soft with a somber look to her golden eyes. Raising her head, she pointed to the walls with her tankard, and then downed a drink. "Damn wench up n' died," she responded, smiling sorrowfully at the rim of her glass. "Went beyond them walls for a mission n' ain't ever return. Been a year since she left." She cocked her head to Shakuntala. "They didn' find 'er body, so she was probably eatin'."
The chuckle that followed unnerved Shakuntala. She cast her eyes down to the ground again. "I-I'm sorry..." she apologized dolefully. "I didn't... I-I didn't mean to make you... remember s-something like that..."
Centa's grin never faltered as she reached a hand across to her charge and gave her a few cuffs to the center of her back. Shakuntala shook forward a few times, the air being pushed out of her lungs from the supposedly comforting pats from the woman.
"Don' worry 'bout that, Shaky, ain't yer fault," Centa remarked. "Yer just makin' conversation."
"R-right..."
Downing the last of her liquor, the redhead muttered a small, "Ahhh," from her quenched thirst. Reaching a hand over to Shakuntala again, she nudged her shoulder, and hooked a thumb behind her.
"Let's call it quits early today, 'kay, Shaky?" Centa said. "But I want ya up bright n' early 'morrow at the stalls, I gots somethin' to show ya."
Shakuntala blinked at her. Something to... show me? She nodded her head vigorously next. "O-of course! I'll be here e-early..."
"Good," Centa smiled. "I'll see ya later."
Around eight in the morning, Shakuntala waited patiently just outside the barn door leading into the stalls of the Survey corps' horses. A disappointed frown was stretched across her lips because, despite commanding her to be early, Centa was, yet again, late. Another hour and a half passed by before her mentor dragged herself over to her charge; the straps to her uniform undone and hanging lazily from her muscular form. Exhaling a sigh, Shakuntala approached her, and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"D-drank too much again?" she asked reassuringly.
Centa mumbled out a undecipherable response. Then, she grabbed Shakuntala at the base of her jacket and dragged her in the direction of a corral. Willingly go along with her, Shakuntala was taken before one that looked empty save for a slender stallion at one of the corners far from them. He was a soft cocoa brown with sharp muscles that contoured the curve of his rump and neck with a slender slope. From her angle, Shakuntala could see an irregular blaze of white trail down the half of his face. What caught her interest mostly was the shade of his eyes: a pale powder blue that gave him almost a frightening look. Despite their obvious presence, he hadn't moved from his spot; instead still looking out to more interesting activity happening beyond the fence.
Coughing a little, Centa let go of Shakuntala, straightened her back, and asked, "So, ya like 'im?"
The girl's maroon eyes traveled from the steed to her mentor's tired face. "O-of course," she replied, the expected answer from such a horse fanatic.
"Welp," Centa hooked one of the straps that swung free from her over her shoulder, "then 'e can be yers if ya want 'im."
Suddenly, Shakuntala's eyes widened and she stepped back from the officer in disbelief. "H-huh?!" she cried out. "C-Centa, what a-are you-"
Centa snorted a laugh at her response. "Don' act so surprised," she said. "All surveys get a 'orse 'ventually, y'know."
"I-I know that, but-"
"But nothin', Shaky. D'ya want 'im or not?"
"O-of course!" she cried in enthusiasm. "I... I-I couldn't ask for a better horse! But I want to know... W-why?"
Centa let out a breath and looked up to the steed. "The thin' was supposed ta go ta Ruth," she responded, "I was raisin' 'im jus' fer 'er, but, well, y'know what 'appened. So instead of 'avin' 'im wait 'round out 'ere, I figured I'd shove 'is responsibilities onta ya. 'ere's the deal: I'm givin' it ta ya, but ya gotta take care of it. Not only that, ya gotta train 'im too. I 'aven't broken 'im yet, so ownin' 'im fully is a good incentive if ya do, 'kay? What d'ya say?"
Shakuntala beamed at Centa. "Yes, oh, y-yes!" she yipped. "I'll do e-everything for him, don't y-you worry!"
As the soldier began to step forward into the corral to greet the stallion, Centa caught her shoulder and reeled her back. "Wait a minute there, missy," she commanded, "A'fore ya go in there all willy-nilly, shouldn' ya pick out a name?"
"So... So s-soon?"
"Well, yea..."
Shakuntala bowed her head for a moment, pushing passed her fog of excitement to try and think of something exciting for her new horse. Unfortunately, she wasn't very creative then and there, and latched onto the first name that popped to mind. "Haya... H-Hayagriva's his name," she replied.
Centa quirked a brow. "Haya-wha'?" she blinked.
"It's... I-it's from a story," Shakuntala informed her, though she kept her answer brief. She wasn't in the mood to explain any more to her mentor if it meant keeping her from her horse. Centa read this from her immediately.
"Ahaha, yea, yea, whateva'. Heyoowhat'sit's it is. Now go n' and give it a 'ello, yea?"
Shakuntala didn't need to be told twice. At once, she slipped from the grasp of Centa's fingers and pushed herself over the fencing to begin the training on her new horse, Hayagriva.
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 10:23 pm
solo || Blooms
Shakuntala was slowly easing herself into a life outside of the compound she had dedicated three years of her life to. The transition was messy at best; she got lost frequently traversing the base and there were so many faces to be connected to names, she had trouble transferring messages from one person to another without messing up. The soldier did earn her fair share of reprimands as well, but they were stiff warnings, not stern yells as she would've expected from Santos. Sanctuary was always found in the company of Centa who seemed to be brimming with enough patience to deal with her slight clumsiness as a recent graduate. She was one of the people Shakuntala was glad to get to know.
It was another day of patrolling with Centa by her side as she two traversed the limits of Shiganshina. While the survey corps' main concentration were missions outside of the walls, there was also things to be done within the limits of the barriers that kept titans out, and there was only so much soldiers of the garrisons could do before surveys stepped into their turf and duties. Surprisingly, those with twin roses stitched onto their jackets didn't seem to mind the two traveling amongst them. At best, they were largely ignored. The only ones that seemed to put up a fuss with their presence were citizens who either turned a cold shoulder to them or spouted obscenities.
As Shakuntala crossed one man, he shot her a dirty glare before shouting, "Runt of the military!" She visibly shirked back while upon Hayagriva before her head dropped and her fingers curled hard enough around the reins she held to blanch them a tight white. Noticing her visible disturbance at this, Centa let out a breath and reached a hand over, patting her on the shoulder.
"Don' mind 'em, Shaky," she reassured her, "Folks are gonna say s**t. Let 'em speak, they ain't 'ave a clue what ya go through in this bis."
Shakuntala peeled her lips back into a forced smile at the veterinary officer. "R-right..." she nodded.
Lightly cuffing her heel into Hayagriva's side, the steed began to trot off down the lane. Centa, upon her own horse, followed the girl as she slipped back into their patrolling mode. The silence that lingered between them as they were on duty suddenly diminished when Centa croaked like a frightened toad. Turning her head over her shoulder, Shakuntala pulled at the reins and brought Hayagriva to a halt.
"S-something wrong, Centa?" she asked her.
The woman's amber eyes seemed as though they'd pop from her head. "Crud, I fergot I 'ad a meetin' to get to!" she quipped. "Aghhh, I'm gonna get chewed out... Listen, Shaky, ya keep on patrollin', I gots ta go."
As Centa guided her horse in a turn away from Shakuntala, the copper-skinned soldier bounced in her saddle and splayed her fingers in a reach for the woman. "W-wait!" she cried out, her voice hitching in fear. "Y-you can't go... I-I can't... By myself, h-how can I..."
Centa blinked before giving the girl a knowing smile. "It's only fer an 'our, Shaky," she said, "Ya'll be fine. Jus' go 'round the bend a few times. If push comes ta shove, stop by that baker's there." She pointed to a building off to the wayside. "They sell a great pie. Take a seat n' eat, jus' make sure no one sees ya."
Shakuntala raised her head to protest again, but realizing how much she was keeping the woman from her meeting, she let her go by feigning acquiesce after a gentle goodbye. After watching her back as she left and disappeared into the throng of citizens milling the streets, she figured she should return to her duties, and pressed her heel into Hayagriva's side again to keep him going. The stallion entered into a steady trot that carried on for at least an hour as the girl explored the streets of her home district.
Much to her chagrin, the day was incredibly boring. Even if she willed for something bad to happen, nothing did (though she didn't want to find herself in a deadly situation just to lighten her day). Shakuntala even considered taking up Centa on her offer and taking a seat at that bakery she pointed out just to grab a snack and waste more time, but her fear of being caught kept her glued to Hayagriva's back.
Just as she was heading into the second hour of her duty (and Centa hadn't returned yet, the meeting must've been taking a while), Shakuntala realized she was being followed. She had ignored the feeling at the pit of her gut, but when little figures started darting between being buildings in her periphery as she turned corners, that's when the girl was positive something -- or more specifically, someone -- was trailing in her path. To test her guess, she lingered in a corner for while, and then snapped her head about behind her when she saw two of the bodies emerge from behind a post.
Two girls -- twins, it appeared -- with raspberry locks tied up in high pigtails braided with daises were jogging from between the two structures. There was a hint of nervousness to their features as their green eyes remained pinned onto the black-haired soldier. Shakuntala wondered what brought about their curiosity, but at the same time, she knew how children were -- always questioning things they did not understand, but refusing to inquire further out of fear or bashfulness. She saw herself into the two children; the memory of how she'd twine fingers and huddle under the cloth of her mother's skirt as a girl to simply observe happenings rather than partake slipped into her mind. It brought a smile to her lips, so she decided to quell whatever fear they had.
Looking to them again, Shakuntala beamed a toothy smile at them. She noticed the two girls eyes flick from her to each other. Suddenly, little fingers pried themselves from the post they were attached to and, tentatively, the two girls approached the soldier on horseback. Their wide, shimmering eyes stared up at her in awe as she kept her smile wide.
"H-hello there," she greeted.
One of the twins squeaked and rushed behind her sister, gripping onto her shoulder as the other took a defensive stance; splaying out her arms as if Shakuntala was going to trample them with her horse. Letting out a breath, she stepped down from Hayagriva, and the two reeled back as she approached.
Bending at the knee, she looked at them from their own height, and said, "I'm... I-I'm not going to hurt you. I n-noticed you following me, though. I-is something the matter?"
Prying herself from her twin, the shyer girl bowed her head and dug the tip of her shoe into the dirt. The more bolder one glanced at her, nudging her shoulder with her own. Shakuntala tilted her head and opened her mouth to ask her what's wrong, but before she could utter the beginning of her sentence, the more bashful of the two unhooked her hand from behind her back and stuck out a handful of flowers at the soldier. Shakuntala blinked at the blooms, searching for an answer, and it was the other twin that gave it to her.
"She thinks you're pretty," the girl explained, "and wanted to give those to you."
"Ah-" Shakuntala muttered, blushing a bit. The sentiment was so innocent, yet the soldier found herself embarrassed nonetheless. Smiling again, she happily took the daisies from the girl. Gently, she slipped their stems into the topmost buttonhole of her uniform's jacket and gave them a smell. There was hardly a scent to them, but the gesture brought a curve to the shyer twin's lips nonetheless.
"T-thank you," she said. "They l-lovely."
Rising from where she knelt, the two girls waved her off as they ran back from whence they came. "Thanks for your hard work!" the braver of the two called out to her as they departed. Shakuntala smiled as she waved them off.
Climbing back onto Hayagriva, Shakuntala continued her patrol, her mood lifted tenfold. Half an hour later, Centa returned blue in the face. Being yelled at by higher-ups without a chance to protest always put her in a sour mood. She was quick to find her charge and drag her along to pick up some ale and return to the same fence so she could vent.
As Centa approached Shakuntala on horseback, she cocked her head. "Hmmm," she hummed amusingly, watching the copper-skinned soldier sniff the daisies again as her unconscious smile never faded, "What's got ya so happy-happy, Shaky? Secret admirer?"
Shakuntala pipped up and suddenly shook her head furiously. "N-no, nothing like that!" she cried. "T-they're from... two children. A gift... A g-gift in thanks."
Centa grinned. "Welp, ain't tha' sweet," she mused.
"Y-yea..." Shakuntala agreed.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 2:15 pm
During one of her return trips to the compound, Shakuntala comes across a pin-up by Lenore asking for pointers on how to connect with horses, and the soldier ends up teaching a class.
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:46 pm
solo || Best Revenge
Dear Sita,
I don't know how long it has been. You have been writing so dutifully to me, yet I have not responded to a single one of your letters. I feel a bit guilty and there is so much I have to tell you about. I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long!
I'm not a veterinary officer just yet. I lack experience, so I am instead shadowing one. Her name's Centa Thompson. She's very kind, though a bit rough around the edges. She's very patient with my mistakes, but it seems she has very little patience for being yelled at. Higher-ups are always rebuking her. Centa brings it on herself, though. She's always late for meetings! Other than her, I have not grown closer to anyone else. Most of the soldiers here seem to keep to their own. I expected as much, but at the same time, I miss my friends back at the compound...
I do visit the training grounds every once in a while, but most of my time is spent here at the base around the horses. I learn so much each day under Centa's tutelage and, despite being in a different location, I do the same things I did everyday at the compound. I'm always amongst horses, which has been my dream since joining the military, but my heart pines for more. I miss my friends so much, Sita. I want to laugh with them again.
Speaking of horses, Centa gifted me one! He's a wonderful looking stallion I've named Hayagriva. He's grown so attached to me in such a short amount of time. He needs so much work, though. I'm training him currently as per a promise I made with Centa that if I successfully did, I would own him completely. He's a bit snippy, but nothing a few sessions wouldn't fix.
I wonder if his name made you laugh as it obviously rung a few bells, yes? Mum used to tell us all kinds of tales when we were younger, the god, Hayagriva, being one of them. I even remember when she told us the stories regarding our own namesakes. I've always liked the legend of Sita and Krishna, it's always been my favorite. I'll admit, even more than my own friends, I miss her the most. But I've already sullied what we have. You can't remove a stain once it is already there. Is her influence going to forever remain ingrained in me?
I do hope you're well though. Do tell me: Has anything come of that baking idea you've had a couple of weeks ago? I would love to hear more about your life rather than droning on about my own!
Best wishes,
Shakuntala
+
Shakuntala,
I would be lying if I didn't smile upon receiving a letter from you! I've wanted to read about everything that's happened to you thus far while at the base. I'll admit, however, that the length of your letter upset me. I was expecting a novel, not just a few sheets. I guess that is my fault for casting the military as a place where action occurs every two minutes. It seems the mundane is much more common.
As for me, yes, I actually did take the initiative and try to make something of myself. I haven't been able to sell solely by myself except to the few neighbors I have here who pity me as a single mother and passed on a few coins for any of the cakes and pies I make. I've resigned myself to joining a guild and have been under an apprenticeship ever since. I stand out amongst the other learners because I am so much older, but I'm willing to put up with any pressures I receive as long as I can support Priya. I don't see her much anymore nowadays, but I get the nice girl from two houses down to watch her while I'm away. She does it free of charge because she desires to be a mother herself and, while I pity her want and wouldn't wish such a role on any young girl, I understand her sentiment considering how much being a parent is celebrated.
But it seems I'm not the only with a child anymore. How wonderful it is to hear you've obtained a horse! You'd go on and on about them when we were together, so having more of your dream fulfilled must be wonderful. Whenever you have a chance, do take a ride down here so I can see him in person. Maybe you can even teach me to ride him? I've realized traveling on foot is quite tiring to and from the guild, so maybe purchasing a horse will help make travels easier. What a name, though! I did indeed laugh upon reading that you named him Hayagriva. Your mentor must be kind to have gifted him to you. I would love to meet her as well, do invite her down here so we can meet!
I must admit, reading the second portion of your letter soured my mood a bit. Shakuntala, you must stop thinking like that! I understand that you're guilty. Who wouldn't be when a person they've been so close to now never wants to see them again? But you must live for yourself! Keep moving forward, keep achieving things in your life Kamla will never be able to. She has filled your mind with foggy thoughts. Don't give in to them. The best revenge against her is to live a good life. Please remember that.
Sita
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:22 pm
solo || Bit by Bit
Bit by bit, Shakuntala found herself molding to the day's priorities while amongst the Survey Corps. Soon, she became another one of those faces hypnotized by routine, but she never opened her mouth to question the status quo. Everyday was the same rinse and repeat pattern centered around her duties under Centa or her training Hayagriva; ending the day writing a letter to her faraway sister after going through the plethora she received from her. In a sense, the copper-skinned soldier's time amongst the others was pleasant, but something soon began to steer her cyclical routine off path as she became aware of it.
Eyes -- or more specifically, a lingering stare -- burned a hole through to her core from the center of her back whenever she returned her horse to his stall and departed. Shakuntala had ignored the feeling at first, guessing it just to be the case of a single look, but soon the she found herself reflexively snapping her neck over in the direction she felt it coming from. When she did, a young male she had noticed several times, but never once conversed with, seemed to visibly jump and duck his head down to the ground. He would then dump the pitchfork he held into a wheelbarrow beside him and march off with it with the speed of a spooked horse.
Shakuntala blinked several times at this response, but never questioned it. However, the more the other soldier's looks prevailed, the greater the girl felt a swell of dread encompass her. It began to bother her greatly, to the point she'd wake in the night, staring at the wall just as he'd stare at her. On one of these nights, she pushed herself up to sitting, and cupped her hands within one another as she tried to decipher the meaning of the other male's look.
He... He probably has a problem with me, she determined. Is it because I'm new? Because I'm with the horses all of the time? Is it how I look?
The ambiguity left her in shatters, but she knew the only way to obtain an answer was to confront the other immediately. Shakuntala gulped at this. What if asking him brought on anger or he thought she was trying to instigate a fight? What if he didn't know what she was talking about? The madness of the situation had her in knots.
Pounding a fist onto the side of her bed, that is when Shakuntala steeled her resolve and decided, then and there, she would bring up the issue tomorrow. I have to be brave about this! she told herself. No more pussyfooting around the issue! Tomorrow! I can do this!
"I-I can't do this..."
Hayagriva nickered playfully beside her ear, but the soldier couldn't even budge as she watched the male load a bale of hay into the barrow and wheel it off in the opposite of her direction. She watched him do this several times; ducking herself behind the shadow of the barn's door whenever he happened to glance over his shoulder. Shakuntala was fidgeting nervously to the point her knees clattered together. He was well-built from all of the manual labor he put himself through day after day, so if did have a bone to pick with her, the girl was positive she'd have the daylights knocked out her before she had a chance to apologize.
Her horse, bothered by the lack of attention he was receiving, pushed his muzzle against her shoulder as if willing her to play. Shakuntala stumbled forward a bit, catching herself on the barn door before she fell forward. As she glared at the steed, she didn't take into consideration the fact the door had creaked when she grasped it, and this had alerted the male she was still debating confronting or not. When her maroon eyes returned to staring, they connected with a pair of bright green ones, and that's when the girl felt her stomach drop.
Oh no...
They held their stares for what seemed like half a day until Shakuntala swallowed and broke her gaze. Ignoring the lump in her throat, she flicked her eyes back up to the male and timidly asked, "C-can I... talk to y-you?"
Shakuntala had guided him to the fence she and Centa would spend an evening exchanging stories after returning Hayagriva to his stall. They were both awkwardly silent the entire time. While she was unsure of his silence, she couldn't work up the nerve to ask him anything until she was at that certain spot. Upon reaching, she leaned against the wooden railing and dropped her eyes to the ground again. He leaned onto it as well; his gaze focused upward.
Eventually, she blurted out, "Do... D-do you have a problem w-with me?!" She even leaned in toward him with the question; never once breaking her eyes from his face as if searching it like a book would provide her answer.
The male gawked at her unwarranted inquiry, lurching back and shielding his arm up against his face in surprise. His eyes widened and he suddenly shook his head; averting his green eyes from her face with a slight blush. "No, I, um, I don't," he told her. "Why would I? I mean, we haven't really spoken to each other."
Her mouth cracked open a bit. "R-right..." she realized, drawing herself back from her lean and sitting straight. "But you... Y-you're always looking at me..."
The male made a noise akin to a squawk at this as if he were accused of a crime. Darting his eyes down again, he ran a hand through his reddish auburn locks and replied, "You, um, noticed, huh..."
"Well, y-yea," she replied. "Y-you're not, um, actually s-subtle about it..." Shakuntala drew her maroon eyes up to him again with the innocence of a child. "W-why?"
"That's because, um, I..." He was burnished red now; voice choked as he stared at her pretty face and the fact the limelight was shined horrifically bright on him. Dropping his head down again, he tried his best to bring the words to the surface, and could only do so upon cupping a hand on her shoulder. "T-that's because, I like... I like you!"
"Eh-"
Her neck swiveled and came nose to knuckle with his hand. Following the length of that muscular limb up the curve of a leather jacket, upon the familiar emblem of the scouts, and finally to a face with a look of determination, that's when the realization hit. Her eyes widened and she snapped back with such force, Shakuntala tumbled over onto the other side of the fence. Her legs barreled her backwards and her bum stuck upwards in a comical display. The male wasn't sure whether to help her or laugh, but considering his current situation, turned to pulling her up instead. Throwing one leg and then the other over the fence, he bent down to her, and shifted her right. Shakuntala let out a breath and rubbed the back of her head. The male's hand lingered with a grasp about her forearm as he checked her over for any damage.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Shakuntala's eyes drew wide, regarding him with a sort of puzzled wonder, as if he was the first human face she'd ever laid eyes upon. When she got to her feet, he was soon to follow. Nodding her head and then stepping back from him, she locked her arms around her back. Bit by bit, her surprise diminished, and she asked again, "W-why...?"
One of the male's hands graced his hip while the other pushed back his locks again. "Because I thought you were alright looking," he responded. "That's why. Isn't that good enough?"
This reply caused Shakuntala's lips to thin dramatically. She didn't give him that look, but that reason alone wasn't enough to satisfy her. Her gaze traced the pebbles at her feet with dismay as, again, she tried to find a way to explain herself. Eventually, she said, "I... I-I appreciate your, um, f-feelings, but as you said, we d-don't know anything about each o-other."
"Well, we could..."
"Y-yes, I know. I k-know..." Trying to explain her own opinion on the matter was harder than she thought. "But, I... To me, y-you're like everyone else..."
This drew a raised brow from the male.
"I m-mean, I don't... I-I can't look at someone and just l-like them. Appearance... How you l-look doesn't matter... It's n-not important to me. It's the p-person... A person's personality is m-more important to me. So while you can s-say I'm p-pretty and, um, use that as a r-reason, I c-can't do the same. To me, i-it's not valid."
This struck the wrong cord for the male. He sized her up with his eyes before letting out a breath. "I kinda get what you're saying," he responded, "but I'm still a tad confused. Are you rejecting me?"
It seemed that letting him down was easier than voicing the truth. Bluntly, she replied, "Y-yes," with an added, "because your a-approach is wrong. For me, a-anyway. If that makes sense..."
The male drew a breath. "Haah..." Then, slumping his shoulders, he added, "But if I keep at it, maybe?"
Shakuntala forced a smile for him. "Y-yea," she responded.
The male returned it. "Well, if that's the case, I'll just work to get to know you better, eh?"
Unfortunately, he didn't. Her rejection seemed to sap all inspiration from him. The two did greet each other from time to time, but other than these small pleasantries, the male didn't push the issue. Approximately a week after their exchange, Shakuntala noticed him walking with another soldier. She was pretty; a petite, pale-skinned female with long, rolled ringlets. Of course she couldn't compare in looks, let alone personality, as this girl was much more openly affectionate. Despite standing by her answer and not giving in as she would in the past, she did feel her heart drop a tad when the male didn't even give her a glance as he always would.
Bit by bit, she felt a singe of regret come on. I didn't even get to find out his name, she mentally sighed.
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:47 pm
solo || Two of a Kind
"Whoa... Whoa-!"
"H-Haya- Sita, you h-have to- Hayagri- Calm d-down! You're not- Ah!"
Shakuntala fell to the ground; barreled back by Hayagriva bucking wildly. Sita yelped before she tugged on the reins as her sister had instructed her to do if the steed ever became unruly. Slowly, the stallion trundled to a steady trot in pace; each hoof lifting off the ground anxiously after being spooked. The soldier shot her eyes up to her sibling, whose fear was slowly transforming into an embarrassed chuckle. Suddenly, the longer-haired Tischendorf threw her head back and barked out a laugh that rung high and true like a jay's song on the first day of spring. Soon, Shakuntala found herself laughing as well, and their chortles echoed on into the afternoon sky.
The soldier was to her feet as she settled Hayagriva to stiff legs with a gentle coo. The horse grunted as she turned her attention to Sita next. Her sister gave her a toothy smile that hid the shame she felt over her mistake.
"Sorry about that, Shakuntala," she apologized, "I guess Haya here got a little spooked, huh?"
She nodded her head. "I t-told you to calm down," she huffed, reaching hands up. "Hayagriva c-can sense when you're s-scared. Now, come. G-get off him before h-he starts up again."
Her hands clasped her sister's waist and pulled her off with ease. Sita blinked as her weight was shifted up and off the horse as if she were a child. When she was planted to her feet, she chuckled behind the curve of her index finger.
"You're surprising me, Shakuntala. First you show up out of nowhere, next you offer to teach me to ride, and now you're lifting me up as if I weigh nothing."
Shakuntala frowned at her teasing and turned away. "S-stop saying that," she whined. "I'm still Shakuntala. I-I'm still you're sister."
Sita chuckled and reached a hand up to muss her hair, but she blinked back at a stain of red on the hem of her apron. Sliding a thumb over it, she realized it was sticky. "Shakuntala... Are you bleeding?"
The twenty year old searched her hands. There, dripping from the side of her pinky, was a sharp slice beside the joint. Sita gawked and suddenly caught her by her wrist, dragging her inside. At the kitchen table, she sat her down, and immediately got to work bandaging her hand. After twining the strips about her finger, Sita leaned back, and nodded her head at her handiwork.
"Hmm! That looks good enough. How's it feel?"
Shakuntala flipped her hand back and forth, splaying her fingers as the bandages held taut. "G-good," she responded, "How'd y-you learn to do t-this?"
Sita shrugged a shoulder. "Just one of the things that come with being a mother," she replied.
"R-really... T-then you've changed as well, S-Sita."
She flashed Shakuntala a smile. "We've all changed. For the better, I think."
Shifting her weight on the chair, the younger Tischendorf watched as her sister moved over to the kitchen's pantry and walked out with a tin of tea and a kettle. Setting it atop the stove after producing a fire, she moved over to sit beside her sister again and let out a bored sigh.
"H-how's work... been?"
Sita's maroon eyes flicked up from the stove to her sister. Her lips thinned a bit as she replied, "So-so. I've been working a lot, but at least I get to bake. The pay is nice too. Other than that, I don't really like or dislike being there... It's more like a must?"
Shakuntala nodded her head in understanding. They talked of other things; more about Sita's duties at the baking guild, Shakuntala's own chores when it came to the horses, Hayagriva, and other lackadaisical events in their lives. This continued well into their tea together until there was a sudden knock at the door. Sita pipped up at the gentle rap and stood.
"Who could that be?" she muttered aloud.
"M-maybe the girl from n-next door?" Shakuntala answered.
Sita looked down at her. "Can't be," she replied, "I go and get her when I have to leave, she doesn't come here... I'll check."
Approaching the front door, she did not open it immediately. Instead, she shifted the edge of the curtain beside the window there up an inch and peeked through it. Standing on the dusty door mat at the foot of the door was a muscular, bearded blond clutching an envelope between his hands. At the small movement, Abram maroon eyes shot to Sita, and he pried his lips back in a small smile at her. She shot back from the window with a slight start.
Shakuntala blinked at her sister's sudden action, rising and rounding the corner of the the table to approach halfway through the den. "W-who is it?" she asked.
"It's Abram," she responded. "I-I forgot it's the first week of the month, he came to bring money for me..."
"Ah-" The soldier swallowed. "But I t-though you told him-"
"I did," Sita huffed, "but he never listens! Never. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
"A-ah, wait, S-Sita-"
Her sister clasped her hand onto the doorknob and tugged with enough strength to cause the door to crack on the wall. Abram shifted a bit at the sound, but his eyes appeared far away when the door was open. He was looking passed Sita and into the kitchen at the back of the house.
"Abram, what did I tell you about bringing money?" she complained. "I've told you so many... Huh?"
Sita blinked as the parcel was shoved into her hands by her father, who trotted into her home without removing his eyes from his second daughter. He continued walking until he was just before her. Shakuntala held his gaze, willing words to come, but none did. Suddenly, Abram grappled her into an embrace, pecking prickly kisses to her forehead. The youngest Tischendorf squeaked and flailed her arms against his strength; giggling.
"P-pappa," she gasped, "I can't b-breathe!"
Abram rested his cheek against her temple. "Oh, oh, my d-de-dear girl," he stammered. "It's b-be-been so l-lo-long. Look a-at you..."
He separated himself from her and held her out at arm's length. First, he touched her cheek, and then the crown of her head. "H-ho-how you've matured... And y-yo-your hair... You g-gr-grew it out."
Shakuntala bowed her head a bit. "Y-yea..." she mumbled in response.
Sita bared witness to this tender moment between daughter and father with a gentle smile. She had forgotten how long it had been since Abram saw Shakuntala, let alone his complete happiness after she had informed him she had graduated. Upon their faces, she could see the mirth, but also the hesitance. "How do I talk to you after it has been so long?" was the unspoken question between them. They truly were two of a kind.
Stepping forward, Sita said, "How about I start up a new pot of tea? Then you can catch up Abram on everything's that happened, yea?"
Shakuntala's eyes flicked to her sister. "O-okay," she nodded. "Is t-that alright, pappa?"
The man smiled warmly. "Y-ye-yes," he replied.
With that, the three moved on to the kitchen to chat over the time passed.
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:32 pm
event || In Da Hood
+ [ORP] - In Da Hood - During an outing where Shakuntala buys roses for her sister, she comes upon her fellow trainees fighting off gangsters.
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