✦ Neryssa

[Kesmi]

Sight of the Future
Class affinity(Gypsy Path); WC: 2258

Neryssa's life had been a turbulent one, with her sister leaving suddenly and music leaving the house she called a home. At that time it seemed that all life and happiness had fled from her. There were many times Neryssa found herself in the same spot she and Nadiya had escaped to. Where music had flowed freely like the waves of the sea. Many a time the youngling had wandered the coast line on outings looking for things. She had found a few shells that when blown through created sounds. Taking these Neryssa tried making her own music. It was just never the same, nor did it help that her brothers picked on her for it.

The idea was discarded as a failure as the shells were tossed back to the sea. As pretty as they had been, Neryssa knew she would never make the music her sister had. Dark clouds hovered over Neryssa as she grew into the age most become a Prentice to a trade. But she was stumped, what else was out there?

'Come on, Festival is in town. No time to be sulking around.' that was her mother's voice, but Neryssa wasn't really in the mood.

Dark clouds and all, Neryssa followed her parents, sister and brother to the festival. She wasn't in the least bit interested, but it was time away from the house. Children ran around with bright colored bits of cloth, others pulling on the strings of kites. Neryssa could only sigh and look away, she really didn't want to be here.

"Can I just go back home?" Neryssa whined as she moped behind the group.

'Keep up, you have been in that house too long. Time for some fresh air.' was her father's answer, this only made Neryssa look away in a scowl.

"Fine." She muttered, staring off into the distance and not really where she was going.

The day didn't seem to get much better the more they wandered. Stopping at vendors to purchase trinkets, cloth and sweets. The Matori family, specially the boys who got wooden swords to play with. Dancing around the crowd to strike at each other even when their mother shouted to be careful of others. They were always boys to the end, no matter how old the got. Neryssa herself eyed the swords, but shook her head.

"Idiots" she would mutter before looking at a booth that held fans, hair accessories and other finery for ladies.

Giving an inward shrug to herself, she stepped over and looked at the fans. Some were large, others small to be easily hidden from sight, but fashionable. Picking up one of the larger fans, teal silk feeling cloth tied around the rib ends. Opening the fan, it was made of the same teal fabric with thin wooden ribs painted with strange designs. The ribs looks like anything could break them, but when folded, strong enough to smack her brothers if they bothered her... Like about now?

'That thing looks silly Nery, why you looking at that thing?' Asked Nyl as Nylo added in his two cents.

'Yea, get a sword and we can all fight each other.'

Neryssa turned on her brothers, both being a little taller then herself. They were broad at the shoulders now and able to heft things heavier then themselves. Closing the fan with a snap, the ribs lining up with the harder ends. Tilting her head up a bit she swung the fan to hit them both on side the head.

"I think this will do" she said as both boys rubbed their ears. "I'll take it." She told the vendor who stared, ready to say something about her goods being used in such a manner.

There was a satisfied look on her face as her brother glared in her direction. She was often not the funnest to be around, that's what they always said. She just didn't play the same games as they liked to play. When not helping their other sister with her inventions. When the boys dashed off in another direction, Neryssa snapped the fan back open to wave it in a way to cool herself off. Not that it was all that hot or humid here.

"This will do just fine." she muttered with a small smile.

Neryssa turned away from where her brothers had gone, walking further down the row. She looked at other things that were for sale. Stopping at a food vendor, smoked fish on a stick. Those sounded tastey about now. With her family off on their own searches, Neryssa had time to be by herself and savor the things she wanted to. Closing the fan and tucking it into her sash, the pink one she never went anywhere without, Neryssa purchased two smoked fish on a stick.

Finding a secluded spot to sit and eat, not knowing that someone was lurking in the shadows. A hand rested on her shoulder, making the young Matori just about jump out of her skin. Turning quick and leaping to her feet, Neryssa turned to see someone dressed in rather bright clothing. Though in some way it didn't seem like their style. The person was a woman, one who looked like she danced for a living, if not for a pass time.

'Horribly sorry to startle you.' The woman laughed, her voice almost sounding like bells. 'i couldn't help, but notice that you were over here by yourself. Something the matter'

Neryssa watched the woman as she seated herself beside her. She was dressed in vibrant colors of clothing. She looked much the dancer that she had hoped to be. One who danced to her sister's music and perhaps even took a role in playing out her tales. At least part of them anyways, she couldn't do too much being only one person.

"You could say something is the matter. Life just seems dark and grey." Neryssa muttered not knowing what to really say, "i didn't think anyone else was here, everyone seems in that direction. Where the dancers are performing." She pointed to where crowds of people gathered to watch different dancers from different regions.

'Oh yes, I probably should be there too, but you looked like you could have used a friend.' She is told, before the dancer gets up and takes her by the hand. "Come on, the day is too perfect to be thinking of rain. Come dance with me."

"I don't know, I feel like the music has left me and I don't want to dance anymore." Neryssa frowned and looked away, "Haven't really danced in years it feels like."

"Then perhaps it is time to learn again?" Was the question asked before she was pulled out of the way of something that sank into a tree near them. "Hold that thought my dear," Before Neryssa could question the dancer loped into the shadows.

Rubbing her ear fins, the Matori glanced towards the direction the woman had vanished. Well, she would have before an arrow slipped past her nose and sunk into a tree. The angle had been just where she had been sitting. Shock made her freeze before two bodies tumbled from the shadows. One looked like an older man, dressed in black clothing to hide in the shadows. The other the very woman she had been talking to.

'Seems we had an admirer, of sorts.' the woman grunted as she straddled the man she pinned now to the ground, wrestling to disarm him and keep herself safe. 'Still been seated there, you might not be here now.'

"Was he aiming at me?" Neryssa asked looking at the man, his hood falling back to show that he was Oban. Someone she certainly didn't know, having never left Matori. Though she had tried many times in her past.

'Don't think so, more so me. Ain't that right?' the woman snapped as the Oban fought to untangle his crossbow from one of her daggers.

'Would have had you too, if you hadn't moved away with the girl.' the oban snapped, his voice husky with age.

The woman laughed, Neryssa backing away slightly. The Oban struggled even more before throwing the woman off. Swinging to his feet, he darted around to grab at Neryssa, the commotion attracting attention from those around. Lovely, she liked being the center of attention, but never in this manner. Growling lowly to herself, the man holding her around the shoulders, her hands balling into fists. This was about as bad as her brothers grabbing a hold of her.

"If I can't get you, this little one will have to do." the oban muttered loudly

"Will you kindly get your hands off me?" Neryssa growled, but got little response from the Oban, besides his grip growing tighter. "I won't say it again."

The Oban shorted, shifting his grip to grasp her around the waist. That was the last straw, not even Nylo and Nyl grabbed her like that. Pulled the fan she just brought, she clapped the metal housing of the fan against his ear. This made the Oban yelp and release the Matori, staring at her as he rubbed the side of his head.

'Cheeky little thing aren't you?' he spat, forgetting his real target for a moment.

That moment wasn't put off too long before the woman in dancers garb tackled him down again, the impact making him lose grip on the crossbow. One that he hadn't even thought to arm with another bolt. This time, from the shock of being struck by the young Matori and now spawled on his back. Hands above his head, much to say he didn't favor the dagger at his throat either.

'Imagine that, taken down by a kid. Getting soft aren't we?' the woman
laughed as the Oban grunted.

'Got a kid of my own. Though you should know that, you've stalked my family long enough.' he grumbled loudly.

'And a shame that is. Now get out of here before you make more of a scene.' She said getting off the Oban and turning away. 'Thank you for your assistance. I will get him again when no one is looking' She whispered the last bit, making it look more like a show then actual fighting.

With the crowds leaving, some grumbling that it was over so soon. Neryssa's parents had been standing near the back, came forward to embrace her as she nearly fell to the ground. The things that happened on outings, she didn't know if she wanted to leave home again. Well the more pressing question was, could something like that happen to Nadiya? Pulling away from her parents, Neryssa looked at the dancer, if you wanted to call her that.

"What is your name?" Neryssa asked, "And what was all that?"

'Names Marydin.' came the answer, 'That was just a sniper thinking he could take an assassin at her own game. Took down the rest of his crew who thought they could do the same. They also were part of an underground slave trade.'

Neryssa could see that Marydin was trying to play it all off, but there seemed to be more that wasn't being said. But this Assassin thing seemed a little interesting, just she wasn't sure how it actually worked. While when she was a Youngling, her heart was set on a profession of dancing.

"This might be out of the blue, but can you teach me how to use a dagger? I don't want to feel like that again." Neryssa asked, while her parents watch, a mix of shock and horror on her mother's face. "And so my mother doesn't have to worry about me too much."

'It'll be hard work and once you start.' Marydin warned, not too taken back by the request. 'You have to be really sure about this.'

Neryssa looked back at her parents, as if they could give her a yes or no answer to what she was thinking. Taking a breath she looked back towards the Assassin, Marydin. "I won't be backing out. I have too much to lose if I did." was her answer, this seemed to please Marydin as she clapped Neryssa on the shoulder.

'Then we start in a few days, I want to finish this job. Then I will return and we shall begin. And don't worry about find me, little Matori. I will find you.' with that Marydin turned to walk away. 'I look forward to our lessons, Neryssa, but for now, we should enjoy the fastival.'

Thrown a little off kilter of Merydin knowing her name. But she supposed she could have heard it from her brothers or even her parents earlier in the day. Shaking her head Neryssa turned around as Marydin seemed to want to steer her away from something. "You said that the music left you ages ago, But I think it is still there within you, you just have to let it out."

"I don't know," Neryssa was unsure, but the closer they got to the music and dancers, things seemed to change.

Deep within her core, Neryssa felt the same light feeling she had when she was with her sister. It was true that the music was different played with different instruments and more of them than just her sister's flute. Releasing herself from Marydin, Neryssa twirled around a little letting her vest flare out. The notes were starting to get to her. Perhaps the dancer that was an assassin was right, she just..

Had to let it free.  

[Kesmi]

Start to a Colorful Future
Wc: 1079

'Come on Nery, you look stupid' teased Nylo, one of her age brothers.

'If you wanted to be a swordsman like us, use just one sword.' chimed in Nyl her other age brother.

They were triplets after all and it sometimes, like now, annoyed Neryssa to no end. She had borrowed her brother's wooden swords, the ones that they had gotten from the market a month or so ago. They had found someone to teach them what they wanted to know, the brutes, the both of them. Always beating each other up with swords and their fists at times. Said it was to make themselves stronger, make themselves look foolish covered in bruises and cuts.

"No one asked for your opinions either." Neryssa snapped at them, as they made expressions like they were scared, but laughed afterwards.

She couldn't win, not with them always on her back about something. Taking a stance, one she would take if she were going to start dancing a roar of laughter came from behind yet again. With a twitch she turned on her brothers, who lounged in the shade of their home. It seemed that their day of training was over, with the smug looks on their faces it had been a wonderful one.

"Why don't you two just go somewhere else. Surely Ma has some chores you two can do. Errands to run." She said, ready to throw something at the both of them.

'Nah, errands are for girls.' Nylo said waving his hand dismissively Nyl agreeing with a nod.

'Is that so, well I have a list a mile long for you boys.' chirped the voice of their mother making them duck their heads. 'For starters, you two can clean up that space you call a room. Really, you two are old enough to pick up after yourselves.'

That was their mother, while she loved her children, she knew how to get them to do what she wanted. Neryssa watched her brothers sulk away under the eye of their mother. Atleast they would be out of her hair and she could try and concentrate. Honestly, she was ready to throws the pieces of wood at them. Giving a sigh, her mojo had been lost because of those two egg heads. Could this day get any worse?

'Lovely family you got.' a voice laughed from a shadowed branch over Neryssa's head. 'If I had had brothers, I would have challenged them. But sadly I was born after two other sisters.'

Marydin, the assassin she had met from before dropped casually from the tree. Neryssa watched the woman, now really getting a look at her. Marydin was one of the Wind tribe, light skin color with a pink crystal in the center of her forehead. Striking icy blue eyes almost seem to stare straight through her as wheat colored hair hung in a braid down Marydin's back. She was dressed in form fitting clothing, most of it was a brown with green fringes, no wonder she didn't see her at first. The Wind blent right into the tree if she didn't move.

"They are more annoying then lovely." Neryssa muttered looking back towards the house, her brothers no where in sight. Most likely cleaning their room under the watchful eye of their mother. "They are always finding something to poke at."

Neryssa looked at the bulky wooden sticks, she didn't really want to call them swords, she still held in her hands. They were as much as useless as she was starting to feel some days. Tossing them a side, she watched then clatter to the dirt before looking back at Marydin.

"How did you find me? Surely you weren't stalking my family or anything." Neryssa eyed the Wind who only laughed.

'I have my ways little Matori. As an assassin I had to learn many skills. How to use blade, of various sizes, I prefer the smaller ones. Tracking if you want to be one who hunts bounties. There is also general defense, if you wanted to play a guard for someone.' Marydin explained as Neryssa's expression changed from lost to one of intrigue. "And from what you were doing with those things, you would be more suited to the smaller dagger."

Neryssa gave another glance at the wood at her feed and nodded. "You are probably right, those things were cumbersome to begin with." No wonder her brothers had liked them so much, they were heavy and easy for them to throw around. "I just don't have much of anything else to use."

There was that tone again, one where she had felt useless. She just hadn't really thought of trying to find something else to use. Glancing back towards Marydin, she had in her hand two smaller daggers. The black metal shone in the sunlight, the diamond ends narrowed to a cloth bound handle. From there, there were hold large enough to loop a couple fingers through. These looked better to handle then the larger swords.

'Try these.' Marydin said as Neryssa looked a bit confused. 'The knives might suit you better. They are light and you can hide them most anywhere. Go on, take them.'

Not wanting to be told again, Neryssa took hold of the knives, blade first and was rewarded with small cuts into her palm. Releasing the knives she rubbed her hand against her shorts. What was she thinking? Really, what was she not thinking? Trying again, she took the knives at the handles. Marydin watched as Neryssa hefted them about, much like a dancer with fans. It got the wind to thinking.

'You like to dance again, don't you?' she asked getting Neryssa's attention again.

"Yes, after what happened at the festival, I had thought to take it up again." She looked away a little, not sure if she regretted her choice or not. "But as I saw, I will need a way to protect myself from people like that one guy."

Marydin watched Neryssa as she seemed conflicted. Perhaps there was a way to help the young soul. 'Well you're in luck. I dance on the side besides hunting. Here, let me show you what you can do.'

Neryssa watched Marydin as she explained that perhaps she could do both. It made her feel better, and in this way, she could help her sister. Things were starting to look brighter. She could dance and still protect herself and her sister if the need arose.  

[Kesmi]

Spread your wings and fly
Growth Solo; wc: 1043

Quote:

Being one of the younger members of the family, Neryssa was surrounded by everyone. She never got to really do anything on her own, someone was always there to help/do things for her. That is until she left for selfish reasons. But with new experiences out in the world, Neryssa finds that she is quite capable of doing things on her own. Now with a new world opening to her, she finds it as a challenge in means to better her own skills.

This will be the first time Neryssa truly stands up to her mother and shows that she is maturing into an independent woman. Her trip to Belrea is an opening to her future away from home, a futrue in which she may not return for a very long time something that requires lots of determination and courage because she is going to go and prove that she is indeed capable of doing things on her own.

"Alright, lets see." Neryssa looked at the stacks of things that scattered across her bed, "journals. Check, Nadiya will have more then enough room to write her stories down." She tossed at least five blank books into her pack. "Knives, check. Cloth and sewing kit. Check." The list went on as she packed everything into her one already stuffed bag. She hadn't thought that maybe she should have gotten another pack for everything.

"This is not going to be easy Lygs. Not easy at all." She muttered to the Maglardilla that laid on her pillow, its thin legs folded close to its body. Compound eyes watched Neryssa as she moved around her room. "Oh, I really don't want to leave many things behind, but Nadiya said that we probably will be buying clothing over there. To somewhat fit in..." Though she knew she and her sister would stick out in Limbree's world. "Perhaps I should leave some of those behind." She pulled some of her cloths from her pack to put back where they belonged.

Neryssa was both excited and a little frightened that she was leaving home. While she had basically left her 'home' to find her sister, but this was different. She was leaving her homeland completely to travel with these new strangers from across the seas. Turning back to her still bulging packs, she frowned. Still a lot of things, she pawed through the items and removed a few other large items. Her jewelry box, she would just take a few out of it to carry. She was not leaving the small ampules with her fishies in them. They could be tied to her sash if need be.

'You sure you want to go to these lands?' her mother's voice came from her now opened door.

Turning, Neryssa looked at her mother, she was still pale with illness. She hated to leave when times were hard and the family needed her. But life could not be stopped and she wanted to learn from these strangers. To see their lands and experience what there was. Even perhaps take up some of their dancing styles and come back to share them.

"I do mother." Neryssa said as she turned away again to close the pack, hoping she had everything she needed. "Besides, I will be with Nadiya. Not like I will be alone and I will have Lygs." she looked at her companion, one who always took up residence on her back in travel.

'That is all well and good, but will that be enough?' her mother gestured towards Lygs, not too sure of the critter. 'What if you and you sister get separated? What if something happens over there and we never get word.'

There were many 'what ifs', there would never be an end to them, but Neryssa wanted to sooth some of her mother's fears. Stepping away from her pack she stepped up to embrace her mother.

"There are a lot of things out there that could happen. Heck, something could happen to me right here, at home. I doubt these new lands will pose any more the threat then what we live in every day." She could hope that her mother understood.

'But you are my baby,' her mother said as she looked ready to sob.

"I always will be, but I'm too old to be coddled. When you were my age, I am sure you felt the same. Wanting to get out into the world and learn new things." She remained hugging her mother, not sure if letting her go now would be a good idea. "Traveling to Belrea will be good for me. I can learn new styles of dance. Meet other people who can help me."

Letting her mother go, though the older woman didn't want to release her daughter. Much less let her go to some unknown land where she can't get to her easily. it was now that Neryssa pulled free from her mother, letting her lean on the door casing. There wasn't going to be any convincing, perhaps accepting. That woudl be a start anyways.

'When I was your age I too had dreams and the want to know the world around me.' her mother sighed, 'You are still young, free spirited like your sister.' Her mother looked away pulling her shoal tighter over her shoulders. 'If this is what will make you happy. You care right, you are getting to be too old to coddle. You have life a head of you.'

There was sadness in her mother's voice as she voiced herself. She had always been an outspoken voice of the family. Certainly one that kept her brothers in check when they were younger. Nothing ever got past their mother, besides when Neryssa left to find Nadiya. Neither of her parents knew that she had left, nor had any other member of the family. She had selfishly left to find her sister and bring her home. Not that she knew that her brother Ahren had already set of to do such a task.

"I'll be just fine mother. Just think of me as a seabird chick just spreading her wings to fly." Not quite the best analogy of her leaving, but it seemed to put her mother at ease.

'I trust you, I always have. You just be safe and tell your sister to be the same.' these were the last words she heard as her mother left down the hall back to her own room.

Neryssa felt a little disheartened that she had hurt her mother in some way. But she had to go, to prove to herself more then anything that she was her own person. There was no turning back. Taking a deep breath, Neryssa put the last things into her pack, now that most the bulky items were removed, she set it a side. This was the last night under this roof, from the next day on she will be sleeping under a different one.

"Well Lygs, tomorrow its just us. You, me and Nadiya." she yawned, wanting to go to bed early so she could get up the next morning, early and head back to Sauti. "It will be the start of a wonderful adventure."