PageFive I.Table of Contents II.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Young Heart: Part 1"~ ~A Solo RP~ III.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Young Heart: Part 2"~ ~A Solo RP~ IV.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Young Heart: Part 3"~ ~A Solo RP~ V.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Young Heart: Part 4"~ ~A Solo RP~ VI.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Young Heart: Fin"~ ~A Solo RP~ VII.~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Harvest"~ ~A Solo RP~ VIII.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Seeds on the Wind~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ IX.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Girl's Night Out~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ X.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Three to Two~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ XI.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Why Always Khehora?~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ XII.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Serenia Defenders~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ XIII.~Reflections of the Past~ ~Avani Had a Little Leklan...~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ XIV. XV.
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:22 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Young Heart~ ~Part 1~ ~A Solo RP~
Avani sat on the bank of her secret lake with Honoka half on her lap, half in her arms, sleeping soundly. Nix, the silly fea, was taking one last swim in the lake before they went home for dinner.
Avani chuckled and gently rocked her khehora baby. She was having fun taking care of the one and a half month year old. Despite the trials of teaching her right from wrong, the rest of the time was rewarding in its own way. It was fun to watch the little one trying to pounce on bugs or some imaginary prey.
But once again the nasty thought that this baby wasn’t an orderite entered her head. She hated that thought. It wasn’t the fact she was a khehora, but more that she had needs that Avani could never fulfill. It hurt that she could never teach the khehora how to hunt, or how to live on her own in the wild. It also hurt that she would have to release her hold on the little baby she brought into the world, even if it was just by caring for an egg and watching it hatch.
Wasn’t that what Orderite mothers went through with their babies when they grew in their womb? Avani wasn’t a stupid girl. She had, after all grown up on a farm, and reproduction was a major part of farm life cycle.
But, Avani thought, wasn’t it also an important part in the life of a world?
Avani took a deep breath as she thought about what it would like to have children of her own. Little orderites running around her feet, around her house, causing havoc… Or at least as much havoc she had caused her parents timed at least two…
Avani scrunched her face up at that thought. But then, she wouldn’t be alone with the burden of raising children, would she? She would hopefully have a husband that would help her with teaching them the ways of the world.
Avani felt relieved at that a little bit.
But, who would be her husband?
Avani sighed and felt Honoka shift in her arms. She looked down at the khehora and smiled.
Her husband would have to be someone who accepted not only herself, but Honoka. She would not give up her foster daughter. Not for anything.
The news that Avani had at least a bonded khehora would soon spread around the area, not to mention the town. She had taken Honoka out a few times to visit the fields and also to the sheron pasture.
Avani smiled as she remembered the first time Honoka had seen the sherons. Honoka, always inquisitive, went up to an adult sheron and tried to bite its tail. Avani caught the khehora before she was kicked and scolded her good for it. The farmhands had a confused look on their faces through the whole incident. Avani wondered what they had been thinking, but having Honoka then rub up against her legs like Nix was always doing must have made it even more confusing than the boss’ daughter bringing a baby khehora to the fields.
Avani smiled at the baby and watched as Honoka’s leg twitched in her sleep. She chuckled at Honoka’s ability to sleep wherever she wanted.
Avani then looked out to the lake and thought about who she would like to marry. No one she knew was the right person to feel like that towards. A few boys were cute, but no one turned her heart.
Avani sighed once again. Was she doomed to be alone?
Avani heard Nix’s chatter as she came bounding over to her mistress. Avani touched the fea, trying to see if she was wet or dry. She must have been sunning a bit, for she was dry enough to go home.
“Ready?” Avani asked Nix as she stood. Nix chirped a bit and then ran ahead of Avani. Avani smiled and shifted Honoka onto her shoulder. The baby was heavy, but Avani could manage. “Not for much longer Honoka. You are growing fast.” She whispered to the baby.
As she walked after Nix, Avani smiled. She had plenty of time to think about boys, she was only fifteen, almost sixteen. Boys could wait for the moment.
But in the back of her head she thought of the one person who she always felt awkward around and wondered why it was always them that made her feel that way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 19, 2014 Words: 743
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:23 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Young Heart~ ~Part 2~ ~A Solo RP~
Trigger Warning: Alludes to violence and upsetting content. Read at your own discretion.
“Mama,” Avani asked as watched her mother roll out some dough for a pie, “How did you know you loved Papa?”
Avani’s mother looked quickly at her daughter, smiled and then went back to rolling out dough.
“You know very well how I met your father.”
Avani made a face and then said, “I know how you met him, how did you know you loved him was my question.”
Avani watched her mother stop rolling out the dough, look at it, and then place it over the some of the summer apples that Avani had just brought back from the barn. She looked at Avani, but didn’t say anything, taking the pie over to the oven and placing it in. Avani’s mother placed more wood in and shut the door, then came back over to the kitchen table wiping her hands on her apron, once again looking at Avani as if she were trying to judge something about her.
“Well.” Avani’s mother said sitting down, “I guess it’s about time you knew that part of the story.”
“As you know, I met your father at school.” Avani watch as her mother seemed to turn a little pink. “I saw him my first day there, him and his brother. Oh they were identical twins, but there was something different about him I couldn’t quite understand.”
Her mother looked at her once again and then looked down at her clasped hands that were resting on the table.
“He was a few years older, and very, very mean to me when I first met him.”
“He was?” Avani said shocked. She had never heard this part before.
“Oh yes.” Avani’s mother smiled brightly and looked up to her, “As mean as an eight year old could be to a five year old.”
Avani laughed at that. She watched as her mother smiled, then quieted down so she could continue.
“He would pull my hair, pull my apron off, pull off my kerchief if I wore it over my hair. Very mean boy he was.” She smiled more and said, “His brother was kinder, but the point is, your father had it out to make me miserable if he could while still staying out of trouble.”
Her mother then got a faraway look in her eyes as she continued.
“As I grew, the teasing lessened, but it was still there. By the time he was out of school and just a boy I occasionally saw at town gatherings, he was only mean enough to tug at my braids.” Avani saw her mother blush a bit, “Your father was courting me in his own way… I was fine that he would occasionally give me some flowers, or take me out to dances, but I never got a sense he really loved me.” She then looked down, “At the same time as your father was courting me, another boy in town, one who was only a year older than me, was also teasing me, but he was more or less teasing me about your father.” Her mother shrugged, “He and I developed a friendship and soon he was courting me as well.”
Avani felt her eyes widen. But she was silent. This was something she never knew about her parents, and she was soaking it up.
“For some reason, I loved your father more than this other young man.” Avani watched as her mother smiled at the memories, “Perhaps it was his quiet kindness, the fact he would never take credit for the good and kind things he did.” Avani’s mother looked to her daughter and smile, “For whatever reason, I felt myself move towards your father, and I can only realize it now that it was the beginning of my love for him.”
“Anyway,” Avani’s mother said seeming to snap out of whatever spell had been cast, “The other young man was rather flamboyant in his actions, and seemed to want more praise for what he did, and I didn’t really like it.” She sighed and then said, “But your father hadn’t pressed me for anything other than courtship, and it rather annoyed me at the time.”
“So I began to make him jealous with little things, mostly letting the other young man take little liberties like a kiss or walking me home.”
Avani was shocked. She never thought her mother would be capable of something like that. It shocked her she never knew her mother, the woman who was teaching her to be a proper lady, would let a boy do that!
“Yes dear girl, I let that boy do those things.” Avani probably had shock written all over her face for her mother to say that, “But it was a big mistake.”
Avani’s mother looked down at her folded hands and said, “One night I was particularly trying rather hard to annoy your father, mostly because we had a nasty argument about whether or not I was behaving properly, and whether or not he would ever ask my father to marry me.” She shrugged, “So I decided that the other young man could walk me home.”
Avani watched as her mother got silent. She didn’t press her mother as she seemed to be struggling with something.
Her mother then looked up and smiled at her.
“He walked me home, and as we took the path through the wood, a short cut to my house, he started to kiss me more than I had been letting him. I even started to shove him away, but he was too strong for me.”
“Mama…” Avani said slowly, “Did he… Did he…”
Avani’s mother smiled and said, “No, thank Seren, he did nothing more thanks to your father.”
“Your father, thank the heavens, had decided to follow us home that night, mostly because he had overheard the young man talking with his friends about what he planned to do with me since it was obvious that I wouldn’t be waiting for your father to ask for me.” Avani’s mother shifted a bit in her seat, but then smiled brightly at her daughter, “He punched that man right in the face several times, not only giving him a black eye, but breaking his nose in the process.”
Avani felt her mouth drop open. She never knew her father was capable of that kind of violence. Personally she thought her father could stop his temper from getting the better of him, and this was the first time she ever heard of physical violence from her father.
“Yes he did that.” Her mother said brightly, “And I was so glad to see him.” She cleared her throat and said, “Needless to say, I think my love for him became true love when I knew he would do anything for me.”
“So…” Avani said, somehow finding herself out of shock, “Did he finally ask Grandpapa if he could marry you?”
“Yes.” Her mother said beaming, “He asked the next day, his reasons being he’d better get me married to him before any other idiots decided to have their way with me.”
Avani laughed. That sounded so much more like her father.
“Avani.” Avani looked back to her mother as she spoke. Her mother took her hand and squeezed it warmly. Avani looked into her eyes and saw much love there. “Avani, don’t go looking for love. It will find you without you knowing it.” Her mother placed her other hand on top of their joined ones and said, “And if you do find yourself loving a person, make sure you know it’s because they love you and who you are.”
“It’s ok Mama.” Avani said smiling and squeezing her mother’s hand back, “I know I will find someone like that someday. I just have to keep looking.”
“Talmei.” Maiika said softly as she walked into the living room.
Her husband was sitting there next to the fire. The nights were getting cooler, and so he lit fires most nights to keep the house warm. Avani had gone to bed early to take care of Honoka when she woke for a feeding. So it was just the two of them, Maiika and her husband. He looked up from his book and smiled, taking his glasses off.
“Everything ok Maiika girl?”
“Yes.” She said smiling. She walked over to Talmei and slipped onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She snuggled her head against his chest and said, “And no.”
She heard him chuckle, deeper than usual because one ear was pressed against his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“She asked me how I knew I loved you today.”
“Ah.” Talmei said placing a free hand on her head, “You told her about that moron Jalkei.” Maiika nodded knowing her husband could feel it. She heard him chuckle again and said, “He deserved all of it.”
“The point was,” Maiika said ignoring an old argument. She could hear his soft chuckle at that, but continued on anyway, “It was when I knew I loved you, and that no one else would do for me.”
“I was sure too that night my love.” Talmei said. She felt him pulling out one of the hair pins in her hair. She smiled and chuckled. “I was scared before you know, that was why I wouldn’t ask your father to marry you.” Maiika heard the hairpin fall, and felt him move to another that was in her hair, “But seeing another man with you made me sure.” Maiika heard the second hairpin fall on the ground and felt his hand move to a third. As she heard that one fall, and his hand moving on to a fourth hairpin, he said, “Did you tell her what else happened that night?”
“She’s only fifteen…” Maiika said smiling. “She might have grown up on a farm and she might know what goes on with babies,” she heard the forth hairpin fall to the ground. Only one more was left, and she giggled a little when she felt Talmei pull it out, “But some things I am keeping to myself Talmei.”
“Good.” She heard her husband rumble. Maiika giggled at how he always tried to sound so rough.
She then kissed her husband, not for the last time that night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 19, 2014 Words: 1,711
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:24 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Young Heart~ ~Part 3~ ~A Solo RP~
“You are doing well Avani.”
Avani let go of the pressure on the welder's handle and looked up to Shenra as she removed her visor. She smiled at the older woman, loving that Shenra would say that about her welding work.
“Thanks!” Avani said checking the pressure on the welder and then turning back to Shenra.
“I’m beginning to think that you can be left alone now when you want to use the welder.” Shenra said hopping off the workbench on the other side of the room and walking over to Avani and her work. Avani had been assigned some actual work this time, some small stuff she could do to help Shenra on the fountain project that she had seen when her cousins had visited. Avani moved so Shenra could examine the piece as she picked it up and turning it around in the light. “Very good…”
Avani beamed. She was so happy to have such favor in her mentor’s eyes. The fact that she was being allowed to be left alone with the welder was greatest praise that she had ever gotten from Shenra.
“All right, let’s stop for today.” Shenra said placing the piece back on the worktable. “It’s late and you need to be getting home.” She then smiled slyly, “After some cake of course.”
Avani laughed and went about with taking care of the welder for the night before they headed in.
As Avani stared at the delicious piece of chocolate cake that Shenra had placed in front of her, she wondered what Shenra thought about love. That topic had certainly been on her mind recently. Perhaps it was being around Honoka all the time. Anyway, Avani thought putting the delicious bite of cake into her mouth, the cake was the priority at the moment.
“So how are those little brats of your’s doing?” Shenra said as she sat down with her piece of cake, “Haven’t seen them in a while.”
Avani smiled as she swallowed her bite of cake and took a drink of milk to wash it down.
“They would be in the way here when I take my lessons.” Avani said placing her glass down, “Nix doesn’t like the sparks from the welder, and Honoka would just be underfoot. So I leave them with mama. Nix has a way with Honoka, so I’m not too worried.” She smiled and said, “But they are doing well. Honoka seems to like going outside, so I take her for a walk every day.”
“Good.” Shenra said smiling. She took a bite of cake and then asked, “How are you doing Avani? They aren’t wearing you out are they?”
“No.” Avani said smiling again, “I enjoy it.” Avani then took another bite of cake and as she chewed it she thought a bit, “But it’s hard since I don’t have a khehora friend around to show Honoka how to do things.” She then thought some more, “Though that thought leads me to wonder about my future.”
“Oh?” Shenra said as she took up her glass of milk, “And what do you think about?”
“Boys. Love. I wonder about finding a husband… One who would love me even though I have Honoka.” Avani sighed, “I just can’t seem to see myself falling in love with any boy around here.”
Avani looked at Shenra, and saw her looking at her funny. Avani was curious about it, but the other woman spoke first.
“Be careful with your heart Avani.” Shenra said smiling sadly, “Love is a precious thing.”
“Are you ok?” Avani said worried. She rarely saw Shenra sad, and it was a little concerning.
“Just old memories.” Shenra said. She placed her fork down and placed her hands on the table folded. “I once loved someone who said he loved me, but apparently it wasn’t enough.” She smiled sadly at Avani, “You will find that love comes with trust, and if the trust isn’t there, you cannot fully love a person.”
Shenra sighed and chuckled a bit. She looked again at Avani with her sad smile and said, “Love is a gamble, and sometimes, it will break your heart.”
Avani stared at the dark ceiling, Nix and Honoka at her side on her bed. While the Khehora wasn’t generally allowed on the bed at night, Avani felt lonely and was glad for the company.
She had been thinking about what Shenra had said and come to a conclusion about love she never thought about before.
While there had to be mutual love between two people, there also had to be trust in that love, and knowing it was there in the other person. Perhaps that was what her mother had meant when she knew she was sure she loved papa. She had used that word after all. Perhaps that’s what her mother had meant when she said she had always known she had loved papa, but that she wasn’t quite sure of it till that night when he beat up the man who had tried to assault her.
Avani moved and faced the window. She felt Honoka shift from being curled up to being sprawled out next to her. Avani smiled, but her thoughts stayed the same.
Loved was a strange thing. It was something she could comprehend on one hand in that her parents and friends loved her, but on the other, what was this love between two people that was stronger than any magic in the world? Perhaps that’s why the word love was so powerful: It meant so many things in a single word.
Avani mentally shook her head. It was just one huge tangled knot, one she wasn’t sure how to untangle.
She closed her eyes thinking about the next day and her chores. That subject she knew could get her to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 24, 2014 Words: 969
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 7:12 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Young Heart~ ~Part 4~ ~A Solo RP~
Avani smiled as she watched Honoka and Nix play in the field of late summer wildflowers. She had taken a picnic lunch out to the wide open place for them and they had just finished eating. Avani sat propped up by a rock watching her two charges play, and the sheron in the distance grazing blissfully.
She looked up to the blue sky with puffy clouds moving slowly by, a small breeze blowing the drying grass and last flowers of the summer. She sighed, placed her hands in her lap, and allowed herself become sleepy by the puffy clouds.
Her thoughts turned to the subject that had been on her mind for the past couple of weeks, the subject of love, marriage, and of children.
She opened her eyes a bit and watched Honoka trying to jump onto the slippery little fea who was just fast enough to move out of the way.
Avani smiled. There was time enough to find someone to love. She did want a husband and a family, but she didn’t want them just yet. Something inside her was content with the small hodgepodge of a family she had right here.
Honoka would grow, then so would Avani. She would work hard with what skills she had now to save to buy some land, perhaps the land her lake sat on. Then she would build a big house so Honoka could live with her. A house with plenty of room for a full grown khehora to move around in, where Honoka could build a nest and walk in and out of freely. Avani would be away from her mother and father, but not too far.
Avani chuckled as day dreams began to form in her head.
As the dreams of the house she would build faded, the nagging subject of who would want to marry her entered her head again. Avani sighed. Would it go away, this thought of who would love her? Avani shook her head trying to clear it, but that didn’t work. So she sighed again and let her mind have free reign with the subject.
He would understand her love of farming, and let her do the things she wished to do with the farm. If he wished, he could run the farm with her, much like her father’s parents did. Even though she could do most things around the farm, some of the heavy labor she knew she would never be able to handle by herself.
She would take care of the house too. She loved cooking, but not enough to make it a career or hobby. She would cook for the people she loved, and that was for her family and friends. And if they had children, she would take them with her out to the fields. That would help them learn to at least appreciate the land and not just think of it as some place to live
Avani wondered the most what her mate would look like. The person was a foggy image to her, all except the eyes. She would never skimp on the color of the eyes. That to her was probably the most important part of the day dream. Oh she would fall in love with a person no matter what the color, but her day dream had those bright shining eyes that were as deep as their owner’s soul.
Where did that come from? Avani was startled by that new element in the equation. Well, only her heart knew what her day dream was, and it was being as mysterious as always with this new revelation.
But this could all wait. Her daydreaming was ended by a cry from Honoka. Though it was a cry of happiness, at least to Avani’s ears, her maternal mind had snapped her back to reality to see what the matter was. Avani looked around and saw Honoka crashing into Nix as she stopped short. Avani laughed as Honoka shook herself off and sat up. Honoka looked to Avani and then made a chirping sound as she ran to Avani, taking a little tumble this time.
Avani hugged her, and then hugged Nix as she came up after Honoka.
These two babies were enough for now, Avani thought, feeling the love she had for them fill her heart. She would focus on raising Honoka for now. Her imaginary family of the future could wait.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 24th, 2014 Words: 735
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 7:19 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Young Heart~ ~Fin~ ~A Solo RP~
Avani pulled her new dress over her head and settled it on her shoulders as she poked her head out of the top. She looked in her mirror at the green dress. It had been ordered earlier this year, but she had just gotten it from the dressmakers.
Avani smiled as she pulled her hair out from inside the garment. It was a sort of dark green that had a darker green print of a leafy vine swirling around the dress. The long sleeves had short lace on the cuffs, and also the fringe of the dress had lace, both trimmed with a yellow ribbon and tiny bows. It buttoned up in the back with tiny black buttons.
“Avani.”
Avani turned and saw her mother in the doorway.
“Do you like the dress?” Avani asked smiling. She lifted the front of the dress up and looked down at it, “It was worth the extra money for the lace and ribbons I think.”
“It’s beautiful.” Her mother said.
Avani looked up and smiled at her. Avani’s mother walked into the room and buttoned up the back. It was high collared, and Avani beamed at the way it fit just right. She had already put on white stockings and buttoned her shoes, so all that was left was to do her hair.
“Let me do you hair.” Her mother said.
So Avani sat down at her dresser and waited for her mother to brush out her hair and place her new green and orange hair ribbons in it. Avani sat very still, and her mother was done in no time. But before Avani could get up, her mother handed her a small and rather old looking box. Avani looked questioningly at her mother, but all that woman did was smile.
Avani opened the box and in it sat small earbobs that had small green emeralds set in them with a small drop seed pearl all set in gold. Avani looked up to her mother speechless, Her mother took them from her and out of the box.
“My parents gave them to me when I turned sixteen.” She said as she placed them on Avani’s ears saying, “I thought you could have them now, even if it is a month till your birthday.”
Avani smiled brightly, and jumped from her seat and ran to her mirror and looked at them. She did like what she saw there. She looked a little older to herself.
“Thank you Mama.” Avani said hugging her, “I’ll give them to my daughter too, if I have one.”
Avani’s mother chuckled, hugged her daughter and then said as she left the room, “It’s time to go as soon as your father gets done changing. Make sure Honoka and Nix are set for the night.”
Avani nodded and then went about setting up Honoka’s bed in her room. She couldn’t wait to get to the dance!
As they arrived at the home where the barn was being raised, Avani greeted her friends Sueno and Ismene and talked with them for a while. They too looked pretty as a penny wearing their best.
Avani then joined in the large group dancing with gusto. She loved dances, and it was a treat she got to go to them. But now that she was old enough, her parents would allow her to attend as many as she wished.
Soon the last piece of the barn was placed, and the men who had worked on it raised several wreaths of evergreens and ribbons. Everyone cheered and then went to supper. Avani had baked three of her apple cakes, and was happy to see that they were gone by the time she went to get something for desert.
As Avani had just finished her sweet, and her parents were on the dance floor to dance with one another, she was approached by a young man with purple hair and red eyes.
“Are you Ms. Autumntree?” he asked. He smiled and said, “I would be honored if you would allow me this dance.”
Avani blushed. The young man reminded her of the supply store owner Mr. Iseld, and so she accepted his wish to dance with her.
“My name is Tais Iseld. My uncle runs your supply store in town.” The young man said.
“Oh!” Avani said brightening up, “I thought you looked like him!”
Tais smiled and said, “I get that a lot here.”
They talked a bit while they danced. Apparently he was spending time with his uncle to learn the shopkeeper trade. He would go back to his hometown and take over for the old man who ran the supply store there.
Avani was happy to know that the young man would be around. He was only three years older than Avani, and seemed friendly as well.
Avani smiled.
Tonight was a good night.
“I don’t like him.”
Maiika chuckled as she hugged her husband while they danced. There was no difficulty knowing he was talking about the young man who was dancing with their daughter.
“They just met dear.” She said trying to smooth her husband’s ruffled feathers, “It’s not like he’s asked to court her.”
“He better not.” She heard her husband rumble almost sounding threatening.
“Talmei.” Maiika said warningly, “She’s only fifteen. She’s not thinking about that.”
“She's a good girl then.” Her husband said. He still lacked affection with the statement, but it was better than a growl.
Maiika sighed. There was no taking the protective father out of him. She looked over to her daughter and smiled. She would always be his little girl, and in some ways, she would be that to Miiaka as well.
Maiika closed her eyes with the feeling that all was right in her world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 26, 2014 Words: 844
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 pm
~AnAvaniAdventure!~ ~Harvest~ ~A Solo RP~
Avani stood with her ledger watching the ranch hands cut down the stalks of wheat and rice from where the wagons were that would be loaded with sheaves to take to the threshing floors. There the grain would be separated from the chaff and packaged, then taken to the local mill to be ground into flour.
Avani’s job was to make note of all the sheaves and label them by number. While it wouldn’t matter in the end, it did help keep a record of the approximant yield they would bring.
Avani reflected, when she had time, on the past summer. It sure had been busy.
She had learned not only how to harness hastars, but had learned how to gain their trust and to take care of them. And she not only learned about hastars, she had learned about leklon as well. They needed more care than sheron, but that was because they needed more room than just a field to graze in. Rhees and the other shepherds went into danger out in the open, not only from dragons or wild khehora, but from other people who would do harm to her.
Avani smiled as she noted down another sheave in her ledger. Perhaps she needed to learn more about the shepherds. It seemed like fun to go with them from time to time. Oh sure she would have her chores on the farm, but that would be managed.
She thought about also her tinkering. She was coming along in that as well. Shenra was entrusting to her the use of her one tool that made a tinker a tinker. She would be able to work on things by herself and finally get to work on projects to help her father out on the farm. Perhaps she would work on things that would help all farmers.
Avani’s thoughts turned to her heartache at the hands of her cousin. While she was sad it had happened, she knew that pumpkins would regrow next year when she planted them, and that her one invention, the waterwheel, had been left intact. She could forgive her cousin, he was mad at himself and mad at the world, not her. He had to find his own way as did she.
The thought that he had at least not gotten to her khehora egg made her smile and remember Honoka being born. Though she didn’t come into the world any way an orderite would, she was still Avani’s precious baby. While Honoka still needed to grow up, Avani would be there for her no matter what. She was the only thing she could think of a parent while Oblivion and his mate were not here to care for her.
Avani took a sip of water from a cup that a young ranch hand had given her. She smiled, feeling slightly warm in her cheeks. He was rather cute, and was just a few years older than her. That too had changed for her. While she found boys cute now, and worth giving a second look to at times, she knew she had her charges of Nix and Honoka to look after. She smiled shyly as she gave the cup back and declined another as some field workers had brought another sheave to the wagon.
Avani logged it in her ledger, and continued her work till her replacement came to relieve her so she could go home.
She took one last look out over the fields. The harvesters that had worked during the day were switching with another group so the harvest could continue during the night. The work would continue like this till the last grain was threshed and was delivered to the mill.
She would build a house for herself and Honoka she had decided, somewhere in the forest close to her secret lake. It wasn’t too far from her home so she could come and go there as she pleased, yet she could still have the privacy she needed to continue to raise Honoka. But first thing was first, she thought as she was helped down from the wagon, she needed to still grow up a little, and raise the funds. That was part of why she wanted to help with the harvest this year.
As she rode home on the docile hastar that her father let her ride, Avani smiled and thought of just how glad she was to have a family like hers. She chuckled, amused because she wondered just how happy she would feel once she had a family of her own.
With that, Avani started humming a harvest song her grandmother had taught her and rode home to a hot meal, hot bath, and a family she loved more than anything else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: September 27, 2014 Words: 793
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 pm
~ReflectionsofthePast~ ~Seeds on the Wind~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ ~Ongoing~
I got to go to Ayr (This time with permission...) to help Kadryn start a garden at her new home. I met her husband Kirosh, the first Oblivionite I've ever met! He's really nice, and we got a long very well! I hope he and Kadryn take good care of the plants I helped bring to their new home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: August 16, 2014 Words: 2,639
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 pm
~ReflectionsofthePast~ ~Girls Night Out~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~ ~Ongoing~
Sueno and I met with Ismene in town and we all ordered dresses! Ismene has such great taste in clothes, I'm glad she could help! Then we asked if we could spend the night at Ismene's house and she said it was all right! We had so much fun, I hope we get to do it again sometime soon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: August 16, 2014 Words: 585
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 pm
~ReflectionsofthePast~ ~Three to Two~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
Oblivion came back to visit! I was so happy to see him again I had to give him a big hug! But what I didn't see was the pack he wore and what was in it. If I did know what was there I wouldn't have tackle hugged him! But he said he had an egg to give me: A khehora egg! Apparently it was too much for he and his mate to take on three eggs at once so he thought of me here on Serenia and that I could take good care of it for him and his mate!
A Rockman attacked the farm and I killed him! That'll show em! But what was he and why was it here at the farm? Was that one of the Mara that people have been talking about lately? Is this what has caused the stillness that has been bothering me and the animals on the farm lately? How did it get here? Why is it here? This disturbs me that the world can be threatened so... Besides that, another Khehora has found our farm. Lord Abronaxus above, why do they all keep finding their way here?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 502
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:38 pm
~ReflectionsofthePast~ ~Serenia Defenders~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
Something is wrong, and I have no idea what it's about. All I know is that a rockman tried to attack the farm and two khehora are flying about. Are these the Mara that Aevah Avi has been posting bounties on? All I know is that I am glad that Criani and Sulu were there to protect Nix, Honoka and I as we made our way to Shenra's house. There I met her family, and was told she and her mother were back in the Ashen City trying to protect their home and business. Oh well, at least I am not alone anymore!
I was allowed to take over the birthing of a leklan, and the mother had a cute, white and fluffy baby with a diamond shaped spot on it's head! I just had to try and tame it! Unfortunately I couldn't get it to behave while I was around, finding that it wanted to be with it's mother more than me. Who could blame it? It was only a day old. I would want to be with my mother as well.
That and the mother looked like she would hurt me if I kept the baby from her...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 973
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:44 pm
~Water,Soil,Sun,&Love~ ~"Lost and Found"~ ~Expert Growth Solo~
Avani's Expert Prompt
Despite Avani's age and mentality, her parents still seem to see her as a young child. When a harsh storm blows in, Avani loses her treasured pet, Nix somewhere along her farm. Fearing for her safety, her parents encourage her to remain indoors, even at the cost of Nix's safety. Avani must choose whether to obey her parents' wishes and wait out the storm or to stand up to her father and go and retrieve her lost pet, even through the dangerous circumstances.
Avani cleared the last bit of debris that was left over from the apple harvest in the orchard. Broken twigs, small branches, and the odd piece of wood from a broken bushel basket were all that was left behind.
Avani looked up at the sky. It had darkened since this morning, rather rapidly. She would go home now since the majority of trash was already picked up. The wind had started from strong gusts to whipping Avani’s dress around her ankles. It really was past the time to go in, but she wanted to tidy up this last area before the storm.
Her family had known a storm was coming. The wind had smelt clean and fresh yesterday, like it usually did when a storm came in. So Avani had worked on the other parts of the orchard yesterday, and had finally gotten this part done today. She wiped her brow and then lugged the sack of wood she could burn tonight in the fire place over her shoulder.
“Honoka! Nix! Come on, time to get home!”
She started off hearing the scampering of her charges next to her. Honoka had gotten to the point where Avani could leave her off a leash. She knew her name and came when called. Listening to Avani was another issue all together.
So Avani made her way back to the house, entering after putting the firewood in the bin her father had made. The inside of the house had a door that opened into the bin that they could open when they wanted wood without having to go outside in any weather. She shook out her cloak of the few drops of the first rain and hung it up by the door. She heard scampering towards the kitchen and saw a long yellow tail disappear quickly behind the door. Avani smiled and went upstairs. It would be a long storm, so she went to get comfortable for the night.
Nix yawned and scratched her ear as she woke up from her nap. She was under one of the old trees of her mistress’s orchard, safe from the strong wind that seemed to push her around. Her mistress seemed to be in a hurry today, something to do with the wind perhaps?
Nix scrambled up and poked her head out of the hole she had climbed down to nap in. It was darker that it had been when she had sought shelter. She sniffed the air, but her mistress’s scent was nowhere. However the rain was starting, for a large drop of water had landed on her head. Nix scampered back down into the little den to stay dry.
She curled up a little scared. She hadn’t been alone like this since before she met her mistress. One thing was sure as she curled up against the cold, she would stay put till the rain was over and then get home.
But until then it would be cold, lonely and dark. All things Nix did not like.
“I don’t want you two going out in this storm.” Avani’s father said as he placed his large duck cloth coat on, “It’s bad enough I have to go out in this mess, but that sheron giving birth looked rather bad when I left his afternoon.”
“Dear Goddess why would we want to leave?” said Avani’s mother as she tucked two stoppered jugs of coffee into his sack. Thunder rumbled and her mother looked up as if she could see the sky though the roof, “It’s as if the Gods are warring out there.”
Avani smiled as she leaned against the banister. She hoped her father would beat the worst of the storm out to the sheron barn in the far pasture. She watched her mother give her father a kiss as she handed him his sack and tugged his coat snugly shut as if she was placing a protective shield around him. Avani smiled as her father pulled his wife’s hands away and chuckled.
“I’ll be fine, you two just stay inside!” he looked to Avani, smiled and said, “Mind your mother now.”
“Yes Papa.” Avani said politely.
Sometimes she wished he would stop saying things like that. It made her sound like she was still a trouble making child. Well, she did get into adventures now and again… She wasn’t totally as innocent as Seren. However, she was almost of age, and she wished he could trust her judgment on things more often. She wasn’t a little girl anymore.
She silently sighed to herself and watched her mother and father exchange a few last words. Avani waved from the stair steps and watched her father exit into the wind and rain.
Her mother smiled and told her that she would go back to the kitchen to get something ready for dinner, and Avani told her she was going to her room for a while.
As Avani got to her room, she turned to the problem that had been on her mind since lunch. She hadn’t seen Nix. This was rather common during storms as the little fea didn’t like them, and for that matter Honoka didn’t either. Both would hide under Avani’s bed or at her feet.
Avani stared at the bed now where Honoka sat watching the storm outside. She wasn’t in fleeing mode yet, but Avani knew she would be once the lightning and shaking thunder started.
But where was Nix? Avani knew the thunder scared Honoka a bit, but the little fea didn’t like even the rattling of the windows. Even when it wasn't storming and just a high wind the fea would curl up real close to her.
Avani shook her head. She had been searching since having a late lunch. It wasn’t like Nix to miss a meal, especially with mama’s sweet cakes. Perhaps her mother had seen Nix?
“Mama? Have you seen Nix?” Avani called to her mother from the top of the stairs.
“No dear. I thought she was in your room.” Avani’s mother replied from the kitchen door, “Have you checked the hall closet? She likes to mess up my sheets when it storms you know.”
“I’ll check!” Avani said heading back to her room to get a lamp.
She took the lamp and went to the hall closet. She furrowed her brow as she looked in, holding the lamp into the little place. She backed up and closed the door, sighing again as she couldn’t see that the little fea was in there.
Avani took the lamp back to her room and placed back on the table. The rain was coming down steadily now, and the window panes were rattling and howling in the wind. Avani rubbed a little warmth into her arms looking out at the contrast in the sky. A large swath of black clouds were coming and overlapping the grey. This storm was going to be worse than she had thought.
She sighed. Where was Nix?! She turned and thought hard. She had heard scampering beside her when leaving the orchard, but none of the chirping and chiming calls Nix would usually make. She had heard Honoka, that was for sure. There was no mistaking the tumbling and small calls that were distinctly hers.
But she hadn’t heard Nix.
“Oh!” Avani said angry at herself, “How could I be so stupid!”
But Nix should be ok outside in the storm if she was outside, right? However, as she looked back out the window, it was still evident that it was really going to be a bad storm. Just then lightning streaked across the sky, and thunder quickly followed. Honoka quickly, yet ungracefully, tumbled off the bed and scrambled under it.
She had to go out and find Nix. She breathed deeply and thought about it for a moment. Going out there was rather dangerous, not to mention disobeying both parents. She bit the top of her finger thinking about her choices. Nix could just be taking shelter out there. Or she could be hurt. Avani shook her head. No… She had to think positive. Nix was just taking shelter somewhere safe.
Avani looked outside again. The black clouds were nearly at the house. She could hear the wind howling, and the rain being lashed against the windows.
Avani had to go out and look for Nix. She was so small and fragile, and she could get seriously hurt. She was Avani’s little friend, more now like a daughter after taking care of her for so many years.
Avani nodded in resolve. She had to go out and get Nix.
Avani quickly changed out of her dress and into a pair of breaches and one of her father’s old work shirts. She tied up her hair into a bun then placed a tight wool cap on hoping that would contain her hair in the wind. She placed on her sturdy work boots, and looked around the room. She saw Honoka’s nose poking out from under the bed, but it disappeared quickly as another rumble of thunder shook the house.
“Stay here Honoka. I’ll be back soon.” Avani said as she smiled at the little Khehora.
Avani knew she would be safe there till she got back, so she blew out the lamp and shut the door. She heard Honoka’s whimpering, but she had to ignore it and stay focused.
She went downstairs and quietly walked past the kitchen doorway, looking in and seeing her mother do battle with the wind as she tried to keep the fire that was in the stove lit. That would surely keep her occupied while Avani snuck out.
So she quietly went to the front door and found her own large duck cloth cloak and put it on. It had a hood, so Avani pulled it on over her head. She then took a large breath, very unsure about going out. But her worry about Nix pushed it away, and she placed her hand on the knob.
“Avani!” she heard her mother say from the kitchen doorway, “And where do you think you are going?”
Avani blanched in guilt. She had forgotten about the new board that squeaked by the door. Mama must have heard it. But she couldn’t back down now, not when she was sure about going out.
“Nix is missing, and I think she’s still in the orchard.” Avani said turning around, “I have to go look for her.”
“In this weather?” her mother exclaimed placing her hands at her hips.
“I have to go Mama.” Avani said trying not to sound desperate, “She’s my responsibility.” Avani sighed and said, “She’s like a daughter to me Mama, I got to go out and try to find her before any harm comes to her.”
“Your father said to stay inside my girl.” Her mother said. A gust of wind wracked the house, shaking it a bit, “Personally, I think he’s right.”
“I can’t do that Mama.” She said evenly, “Even if you were to lock me in my room I would just go out the window, and frankly I would rather like to avoid doing that in this weather.”
Her mother was silent, and Avani saw a look on her face that showed she was trying to see a way to keep her here.
“I don’t want you out there Avani.” Her mother said. “You are my daughter too you know.”
“And what if I was out there?” Avani said again trying to make her mother see reason, “Wouldn’t you be out there yourself looking for me?”
Avani watched her mother press her lips tight in silence. She then sighed loudly and threw her hands up in the air.
“If you must go, then go.” She said. She lowered her hands to her sides and what seemed to look like worry crossed over her face. “If you do go Avani and it gets worse, come back. Even without Nix.”
Avani nodded. She would come back with Nix, even if it did get worse. She was sure of that at least.
Avani nodded at her mother again, turned and opened the door. After bracing for the wind and rain, and shutting the door behind her, Avani headed for the barn where most of the supplies were that she needed. She wouldn’t dawdle there too long. Nix needed her.
Avani had gotten the large lantern from the barn. She had lit it there, and the flame had stayed lit till she made it to the fence of the orchard. She placed the lantern’s handle over the fencepost so it would stay put while she climbed over the fence.
As she jumped down on the other side, she grabbed the lantern and held it high. The rain was thick, and it stung as it hit her face. She felt drenched to the bone, and all she had done was walk across her house lawn to the fence. She took a deep breath and walked on.
She looked about as she walked into the orchard, startled by the creaking of the trees and branches. She gasped as a streak of lightning lit the sky with accompanying thunder. She knew that the lightning had been close since it had occurred with the flash. Avani recovered quickly and looked up into the trees. She had numbered the trees with signs so she could keep track of the possible yield and kinds of apples, so she was pretty sure she was near tree number twenty-two when she ended her work that day. She was near number three now apparently, the rain was so thick it blurred her vision.
So Avani called out even now for Nix, hoping the little fea could hear her above the storm.
Nix had to scramble up the tunnel of the den she was in since it had filled with water at the bottom. Caked with mud, it was rather uncomfortable. She would have to make a decision soon to either leave the den or hope the storm would stop. Nix was frightened, but hoped she knew what to do.
“She’s where?!” Talmei yelled.
“She went out to look for Nix.” Maiika said calmly. She stared at her needle point and tried to concentrate on that, “Apparently she felt she had to go.”
“She could be killed!” Talmei said turning and heading to the door.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go after her Talmei.” Maiika said slowly putting the needle into the cloth and pulling it through, “This is something I believe Avani has to do herself.”
“What do ya mean?” her husband said. She heard him turn back quickly, “You actually support her going out there?”
“No.” Maiika looked up at Talmei and said, “But she made a rather good argument. She said that if it was her lost out there we would be looking for her.” She clenched her jaw and looked pointedly at her husband, “I don’t want her out there, she’s my child, our only child.” She tried to keep from crying and said, “I know how much we wanted a child and how long it took us to have her, and I would rather keep her here safe and warm, but she has made up her mind and if she is in trouble, she knows her way home.”
Talmei looked at her and Maiika held his stare. They had rarely fought in their marriage, but on this she wouldn’t budge. Avani had made it clear that Nix was more important to her at the moment than her safety, and if she felt she had to disobey her mother and father in this, then so be it.
“When she comes back,” Talmei said in a defeated voice, “I wanna speak with her.”
“Oh, no worry there dear.” Maiika said going back to her work, “I’ll want to speak with her too.”
Avani had made it to the tree with the number of twenty-two. Well, as far as she could make out. She prayed thanks to Seren that the flame in her lantern had lasted this long. She started yelling Nix’s name again hoping the fea would hear her. The storm had gotten worse in her opinion. The wind was making the trees creek louder and it seemed that they were actually bending in the wind.
As she walked around the area, calling the fea’s name she stumbled a bit and the lantern slipped from her grasp. She was plunged into darkness as she heard the crash. She cursed under her breath, but still kept calm. There was still a little light in the sky, and if she found Nix quickly she could make it back by following the layout of the trees. She had been playing and working in this orchard since she was 10 and knew it’s layout well.
“Nix!” She called as she found a tree to lean on, “Nix!”
Hopefully the little fea could hear her.
Nix perked up her ears. She had heard something. She dug her feet into the slippery earth and wriggled the rest of the way up to the opening of the den. She poked her head out and listened. She focused hard to filter out the sound of the rain, wind and creaking trees.
“Nix! Are you here Nix?!”
It was her mistress! Nix popped out of the hole and listen again for the voice. When she heard it again she went in its direction chirping and chiming her head off. She then screeched louder as she moved more towards her mistress as she heard her again.
Avani heard it: A screeching sound that sounded like the little fea’s. Or it could have been the wind?
“Nix?!”
Avani heard the screeching get louder and nearer. She called out again and she heard the chime sound that was so distinctive to Nix.
“Nix!”
She lowered herself to the ground and after a moment she felt something hit her chest. She could see something dark clinging to her, but heard Nix’s chattering and chiming noises.
“Oh Nix!”
Avani hugged the muddied little fea and sent silent prayers to Seren for the safety and finding of Nix.
But now was not the time to get comfortable. A flash of lightning and thunder preceded the downpour of hail.
“Well, at least I have you!” Avani said and gave Nix a quick hug, “Let’s get home!”
Avani placed Nix inside her cloak, buttoning it up around the fea, and held on to her like a mother held her child. The hail hurt, but at least she had a heavy cloak to soften the blows.
She felt her way through the trees. It was getting dark fast, but she knew she was half way back to the fence.
She then felt her foot hit a root of an older tree and she fell. She twisted her body slightly so she didn’t land on Nix, and held on tight to the little fea. As she was catching her breath, she heard a cracking sound, and as she looked up, she saw a tree beginning to fall. She fumbled and pushed herself back quickly trying to get out of the way, the mud on the ground helped a bit sliding her quickly back.
She screamed as she felt the branches hit her face and fall on her legs. Luckily it was only the top of the tree that had fell on her and she easily moved from beneath it. She opened her cloak and looked at Nix to see if she was ok. Nix poked her head up and licked her face. Avani smiled as she knew Nix had to be ok to do that to her.
After buttoning up her cloak again, she used the trunk of another tree to stand again. She felt something on the tree that didn’t feel natural. Avani felt along it some more, and smiled as she realized it was one of the wood numbers carved onto a board of wood that she used to number the trees. She closed her eyes and traced the number with her fingers. It was number ten. She was about one row of trees from the fence.
“We made it Nix!”
She felt the fea wiggle beneath her. Avani quieted her down with a few words. The hail had gone, but the wind and rain were still as strong as before. Avani moved towards the next tree in front of number ten, and found it with success. She then moved slowly till she felt the border fence against her legs.
Avani smiled. There were a few trees after the fence, and then the house was just a short distance from that. She held tight to Nix and climbed over.It was more of an ordeal now since she had a large bundle under her clothes, but she got over the fence, falling right in a patch of mud. Avani didn’t care at the moment. Soon she and Nix would have a nice hot bath and then bed.
“Avani!” Her mother exclaimed as she entered the back door.
Avani fell to the floor smiling, bracing herself against the door. She then undid her cloak’s buttons, and allowed Nix to tumble out too. She felt so tired. So bruised. She would sleep soundly after a nice bath.
“Mama.” Avani said slowly, “I found her.”
Avani heard Nix chirp and felt her move around next to her. She would rest a bit then get up to fill the large tub with water for a bath.
“Oh dear.” Her mother said coming over to her, “Let’s get you out of those clothes quick.” She stopped then went to the kitchen door and yelled, “Talmei! Get the large tub and fill it quick!”
“I’ll do it.” Avani said smiling.
“Oh no you don’t.” Avani’s mother said sternly, “You look like you won’t last a minute.” She quickly came over to her daughter, “You’re the one who needs help now my dear, trust me you won’t be able to move for a while bit.”
Avani silently agreed. She felt numb all over, not to mention wet and dirty. She also felt dead tired. She watched as her father silently came into the room, and she moved to stool that was next to the oven fire. She picked up Nix too, holding her tightly as they went about getting warm.
She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see her father’s face just yet. She didn’t want to talk now, she just wanted to bathe and get warm.
But her father said nothing as he went and pushed back the kitchen table and benches, and went into the basement for the large tub. Avani’s mother, somehow, managed to get Avani’s cloak and knitted cap off. She was pulling Avani’s shoes off when Avani heard her father come up with the tub. She heard him move around to the other side of the stove to get some hot water from behind it, and then she heard him pump more water out at the kitchen sink.
“Thank you Papa.” Avani said opening her eyes.
She saw the frown on her father’s face, but he gave her a nod and left the room.
Soon, Avani and Nix were in the warm tub, her mother washing her hair as Avani scrubbed Nix clean. Avani giggled as Nix swam through the water as if this was something they did every day. Nix was cleaned first and was given to Avani’s mother so she could be dried off. Avani washed herself next, careful of the burses that were becoming more evident as the hour went on. As she washed her face, she blanched as the soap cleaned out the scrapes the tree had given her.
“My gods Avani.” Her mother said as she handed her a towel when she stepped out, “What in the name of Seren happened?”
“Hail.” She said gingerly patting the bruised areas dry, “And a tree fell and scratched my face.”
She looked up at her mother and saw hurt in her eyes as they looked over the blackening spots on her shoulders, arms, and back. There seemed to be scratches there and on her legs too apparently.
“I’ll go get something for those scratches and some night clothes.” She said, as she placed a wrapped up Nix next to the oven on the floor.
Avani smiled and wrapped the towel she had around her. She sat on a different stool than she had sat on before and rubbed Nix dry some more.
Soon her mother was back with another towel for Avani’s washed hair, a comb for it too, and also some undergarments and a fluffy night dress. She had also seen her mother bring a large quilt down too. Avani heard scratching at the Kitchen door and Honoka’s whimpers and small cries. Avani smiled and knew that not only her parents had been worried.
Soon Avani was in her nightgown, and in the living room in front of the large fire there, sitting on the hearth to get dry. She had rubbed Nix some more and was just now letting her sit near the grate to dry and warm herself. Honoka sat in a chair watching Avani from above. Avani was combing out her hair as her mother came in with a bowl of stew for her, and some warm broth for Nix.
Avani thanked her mother, placed it on the hearth near Nix who lapped it up greedily. Avani ate her stew slowly, even giving a piece of meat to the watching Honoka. She had just taken both bowls and had stood to take them to the kitchen when her father came into the room from his study.
Avani nodded at him, and then took the bowls into the kitchen. The tub had been removed, apparently her father had taken care of that while she had gone upstairs to get another blanket, and her mother was cleaning up the mud that had been tracked in.
“I’ll help you mama.” Avani said placing the bowls into the sink.
“I’m perfectly ok with doing it myself.” Her mother said standing with a dirty rag. She smiled at her and said, “You need to go get warm.” She then placed a hand on Avani’s face and said, “And you need to talk with your father.”
“What about you?” Avani said taking her mother’s hand.
“Oh we’ll have a chat too.” She said throwing the rag into the sink, “But I think right now it’s time for you and your father to have one.”
Avani squeezed her mother’s hand and went out of the kitchen. She went back to the fire and saw that her father had taken the other chair and had Nix in his lap with a blanket Avani had gotten from her room.
She then went and sat on the floor pulling the quilt her mother had gotten for her around her shoulders. She heard Honoka tumble from the other chair and felt her curl up around her, laying her head in Avani’s lap.
There was a moment of silence as Avani placed her hand on Honoka’s head. She didn’t know how to start the conversation with her father she knew was not going to go well.
“I’m not sorry I went out Papa.” She said raising her head to look at him, “I know I disobeyed you, but I had to go.”
She watched her father look back at her and then look into the fire.
“It hurts that you didn’t do what I had asked.” He finally said. He looked back at Avani. There was silence again and her father sighed, “Why did you do it my girl? You could have been hurt or killed!”
Avani looked away and said, “Yes, but it was my choice. I had to get Nix, she’s so small!” She looked back and said, “You would have done the same if I had been lost.”
“But you’re my daughter!” he said, “I’d go through a thousand storms to get to you.”
“I feel the same about them!” Avani said, “Nix I have cared for ten years, and I was the one who cared for Honoka’s egg and watched her be born. Isn’t that enough for me to feel as if they are my daughters? And isn’t that feeling more than enough to justify going out after Nix?”
There was silence then, and she watched her father close his eyes and sigh. He looked weary and old. Avani had seen her father as always so vibrant and happy that she never thought he would worry about anything.
“I’m almost of age Papa.” Avani said looking away, “Only less than a month till I am old enough to do some things as an adult, why won’t you let me?”
She heard her father give a wry chuckle and she looked up at him to see a sad smile on his face.
“Because to me, I still see a five year old girl running around with a stuffed pumpkin hiding in her grandmother’s pumpkin patch.” He opened his eyes and said, “You were a blessing to your mother and myself, and I don’t want to give you up.”
“Hardly!” Avani said smiling, “I’ll always be your daughter, just never a little girl again!”
“That’s a hard thing for parents to do.” He nodded to Honoka, “She will leave one day and you will understand.”
Avani looked to Honoka, and then placed a finger in her mouth. Oh, Avani had thought of that. This is why she balked at talking about her plans with her father. But she knew he would find out eventually, so why not tell him now?
“Papa, I have thought of that.” She said looking up at him. She smiled sadly, “And It’s coming sooner than you think.” She placed a hand on Honoka’s head, “She’ll need someone to teach her the ways of her race, and I can’t do that. So I have been wondering if to ask another Kehora I know to give her lessons.” She then breathed deeply and looked right into her father’s eyes, “I also know she won’t be small forever. She’s two years old and not getting smaller. She can’t fit in this house built for small people. So, I’ve been saving money to buy some land and build a house… for all three of us.”
She watched her father’s eyes widen and then soften.
“Ah Avnai, I’ve lost you already haven’t I?” he said.
Avani smiled a bit, “I’ll always love you though.”
“Ah, Avani girl,” he said leaning forward to pat her head, “That's one thing that will never change between us.”
It had been three weeks since Avani had gone to find a lost Nix. Avani was now in the orchard overseeing the removal of some trees that had fallen in the storm. They were old ones that were from the original orchard, so it was a miracle that they had lasted as long as they had.
Since her talk with her father, he had allowed her more freedom around the farm in the way of telling his workers that she was as good as her father when giving out orders. She also saw more time out in the fields taking over tasks she normally would have had to square off against the farmhands for.
It was nice to know her father trusted her to give orders and do jobs around the ranch without having to worry about people watching over her. She was still getting used to the new freedom and status, and it would take some time to gain the trust of the farmhands that still held out that she still couldn’t do anything as good as her father could yet.
While it was true she still lacked some training and schooling in the ways of running a ranch, she could deal with the ones who were still skeptical. What was important was that her father supported and trusted her enough to support the decisions she made without him there, and to her that was the greatest thing in the world.
Shenra approached her in the orchard and voiced her approval of the clean up being done. She had approved of Avani’s plan for the removal of the fallen trees, and of Avani’s plans to replant next spring. Apparently as far as the woman was concerned Avani owned the orchard out right with all the work she had put into it. But Avani was stubborn, and said that she would never take the orchard as a gift and pay for it one day herself. First though, she needed to get the land to build her dream house on.
“Here’s something your father ordered.” She said handing a small box to Avani. “He said you needed it if your children were anything like you.”
Avani took the package and opened it. She laughed out loud as she pulled out two leather collars with shiny metal disks attached. She read Honoka and Nix’s names on each disk, and then saw the big bells that were attached next to them. Each sounded different, and she could hear it rather well.
She smiled and would thank her father for the gifts.
She knew as much as her father trusted her now with some aspects of running the ranch, her safety would be an important thing to him no matter how old she was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: October 9, 2014 Words: 5,583
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Apple Blossom19
Eloquent Exhibitionist
Offline
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:05 pm
~ReflectionsofthePast~ ~Lost and Found~ ~A Growth Solo Journal Reflection~
Going out into that storm for Nix was dangerous. I was scared stiff just crossing the lawn, but knowing I had to get to Nix kept me from turning back. But what scared me the most was knowing I had disobeyed papa and mama in doing so.
But I think it might had done some good in the end. Papa seems to have finally gotten over the fact that I'm not a little girl anymore, and instead of punishing me, he gave me more room to grow up on the farm.
It's nice that the majority of the ranch hands see me not as the boss' daughter anymore but as my own person. I'm actually glad he started me on the bottom of the ladder in my new position rather than given a higher place. Hopefully I can do Papa proud still and work my way up to his right hand here on the farm.
So in loosing Nix I found my place here on the ranch. It's funny how life works things out without you knowing it.
