Interested in: Animals not earthlings!, Nature, Swimming, Dance, Reading, Practicing, Jewelry, and Berries.
3 Base Traits: Independent, Adaptable, Gentle
Personality: Talisia tends to be a very calm person with an older air about her. As mature as she may seem her neutral expression often confuses anyone about what emotions are really beneath the surface. Because of an abusive mother and because she lost her loving father when she was young the girl has a hard time giving anyone her trust. Mostly that is because while she hopes to find love and light in her life again she's still afraid that any future happiness will slip away from her. This is why she is so stubborn about staying as independent as possible and often refuses help even when she may truly need it.
Being alone for so long though has allowed her to become adaptable and capable of taking on her own tasks with a sharp wit. Not only can she make things out of the smallest situations the girl can also flip her personality around to blend in with the others that are around her. She can easily work her way through both a flood of events and a flood of people. Her mask that she learned to wear from her earlier years also has played a great role in helping her to make necessary connections.
That mask though comes with pros and cons. Those who have seen her wear it become wary of her reliability and true feelings as well. Who is she truly and what does she really care about if she can change herself so easily? Once more what they thought they knew about her was lost again to mystery.
Truthfully though her heart is still very gentle as her father's love has forever left an impression on her. Her spirit is kind and loving as seen in the animals that she attracts. Talisia would stop in the middle of a road even for the smallest of creatures if they seem like they are injured and need her help. While earthlings have a harder time getting through the icy facade to the gentle, nurturing nature beneath, any little creature can quickly be loved by her.
Currently: After experiencing the fight against the Extremists, Talisia has become a bit tougher on the edges. Her mask is presented as a cold, noble lady and she is quick to draw her weapon against any danger. Her increased confidence in her abilities has also helped her to better protect others, especially those she believes in. However, as a reunion with her twin on the horizon emerges she seems to be a bit more gentler around the edges. Still wary, but not so harsh.
It also helps that she has good friends and family to rely open now as seen with Dris, Callum, and Eresin.
Description: Talisia is a slender girl with curves in the right places that stands about 5'4". Her grace is like that of a creature and she seems to have a more wild way about her when she walks from spending so much time on the road. Her pale hair is always wavy and only a few braids keep it tame. Other than that she seems like she could be a normal ice earthling until one notices the silver shifter eye that changes in hue with the day.
Clothing: Before she would wear furs and typical clothing of Zena, but now that she has moved into the warmer parts of Tendaji the hybrid has started taking to wearing looser, silkier clothing. Far more revealing than she has ever worn before, but it makes a great difference against the heat and while moving through rainforests and deserts.
Accessories: Besides the typical chokers and earrings that she wears Talisia has one piece of jewelry which is super important to her. This piece is the pendant necklace that she wears which was a gift from her father who taught her to adore the moon and sun. Her twin brother wears a similar pendant around his own neck.Currently, it is tucked behind the choker that she has around her neck.
Interesting Tidbits! -While she seems distant to some with her high personality as soon as any animal comes near she's kind and gentle. -Her silver eye actually changes like any other shifter's while the golden one stays the same hue always. -She feels more alive under the moonlight than the sunlight and prefers night strolls and so if you see her up in the early hours of the morning it is not because she is a morning person but rather because she just hasn't slept yet. -She has a slight habit of barely closing her hands to tap her fingers against each other or her palms when she's impatient or irritated. - Her name "Talisia" (meaning from the forest) comes from the fact that her father missed his home forest so much.
A pair of twins were born between a shifter gypsy and a lady of ice.
Their birth was unnatural as their father was never supposed to belong to their mother Nivedita, but rather was stolen away from his shifter fiance. His health was not meant to survive the cold of Zena so when he died he left Talisia alone in the world as her mother had been jealous of her and despised her .
This lead to many rifts and as the twins grew the fits of insanity by their mother, who was plagued with the grief of Kaleo's death, only got worse. Talisia suffered the most, but her brother's support in letting her heal animals to fill in the void helped to save her. Her mother though found out about Talisia's past time and in a fit of insanity tried to destroy everything once more.
Her twin brother saved her life, but Talisia found herself tossed out into the cold with no home. Since then she traveled with Silva, her raptrix companion, and has been learning more about the world and surviving on her own.
The story~
Born into the icy lands as a hybrid between a cold lady and a gypsy shifter Talisia didn’t know much about her father’s history. All she knew was that her father was a loving figure who doted on her and gave her more love than anyone else she would ever know growing up. His real story, however, was not lost in the dark corridors of the cold home she was raised in. Talisia and her twin were abnormal children, both with their mismatched eyes and changing skin tones. Those few who knew the truth about her said it was only fair that both children bore marks of nature’s curse since their existence was a manipulation in itself.
How was it a manipulation some may ask?
Kaleo first came to Zena while traveling with a group of friends who had wished to share their skills and wares in the region. A gypsy himself it was hard for the young male to refuse his friend's requests to go on an adventure. His gentle nature and kind heart as well made declining his friend’s request a near impossible chore. The trip was supposed to be a short trip as well because waiting back home was his newly betrothed. While joining a clan of weapon smiths and earning a beautiful bride didn’t sound like such a hard bargain for most it was feared by Kaleo. Because he feared he would lose himself in marriage and in his new trade the gypsy wanted to leave out one last time before his feet were stuck in the ground.
That decision would lead him into a life changing trap.
Leaving his home behind Kaleo found that Zena was indeed a harsh world. So used to the heat and humid of the rain forests the shifter found the ice to cut into his very spirit. Yet a part of him was mystified and found that the wintery lands held their own beauty. It was gorgeous to see the moon and sun’s reflection on the ice and to watch how each moment gave him a sparkling image in both lights. The party’s trading ended up near an important home where a council member lived.
Nivedita was her name. A young lady full of promise and high power came dancing into his life one night. Without knowing his own dangerous charm Kaleo found himself enticing the woman closer and closer into his life. His eyes showed her the stars and the world and for someone who lived in an icy palace she found a fire in his spirit never seen before. The way he moved and the way he could sing moved her heart which she had once believed was frozen in place.
She had to have him.
One night of special herbs and tipsy mistakes lead him into her bed. It was that night that the snake first got her coils around the bird. His wings were to quickly become tied in her grasp and she made certain that they were to become clipped. Nivedita poisoned his mind with lies and illusions leading others to believe in his death when they searched for him and leaving him with only foggy memories of anything save for her. He would become her treasured “pet” and anyone that tried to separate him from her would be stopped.
Less than a year after the first night together a pair of twins were born.
Talisia and her brother Ciarán were raised never knowing how their lives came to be in this world. They were just twins different in appearance save for the identical stare of their mismatched eyes. While her brother was kept close to her mother’s side Talisia was raised with the love of her father. Everything he could remember he would teach her and every ounce of love he had for the world around them he would instill inside of her as well.
Her mother though was a woman easily brought to jealousy. Countless nights Talisia would sit outside without food for being too “emotional” and too attached to Kaleo. Nivedita called it training for Talisia to uphold the family’s name. No emotion was to slip through as that would only lead to mistakes in your life and having her father coddle her would only serve to make her weak.
It wasn’t Talisia who was weak though in the icy lands.
Kaleo was growing weaker. His body was conditioned for the freedom of traveling and for the warmer climates so the longer he was caged into the cold the more he found it harder to breath. Only his daughter’s loving smile and his son’s occasional melody would keep him there. It was their birth which had kept Nivedita’s hold on him after all and so the lady constantly would use the children to tie down poor Kaleo. Her selfishness and jealousy kept her paranoid about the shifter male as well. Even if he was sick what if she let him leave and he never returned? Surely she couldn’t have that. He would be fine because he was hers and she refused to let him die.
Talisia was too young to realize that the coughing fits her father had were growing worse and that his skin was getting unnaturally paler. His song as well was getting weak and she found that he didn’t run to play with her as much anymore. Over time though she found that her father was slipping away from her. It was the darkest night of her life when she realized that she couldn’t run into his arms anymore. There was no more light in her life and the halls were cold and quiet.
Mournfully both twins moved on with their lives as once more Nivedita found herself frozen. Lost in the guilt of losing Kaleo she found herself slipping away in random fits of insanity that would scare both children. Talisia was scorned and hated for being the one to take him away from Nivedita while her twin brother who resembled Kaleo was kept even closer to her side.
Talisia found herself lost. Without her father there wasn’t much light to be had in the world. Darkness kept slipping into play around her own heart and the girl constantly wondered if she faded into the icy lands would her spirit find her father’s as well? Once she tried, but her brother’s quick reaction kept her from diving into her own death.
Not having time to take care of his sister Ciarán found others to do so. These others weren’t earthlings, however, and instead consisted of small animals he gifted to her. Surely healing injured animals would help keep her heart focused on living rather than death. In a way his plan worked and she found herself sneaking away from their mother to care for wild animals and tame alike. In those animals she poured the love that she had felt from her father and in turn they loved her back as her mother never would.
Years began to pass and Talisia found herself slipping into the routine of strict training by day and peaceful healing by night. Her animals were a secret from her mother and her happiness was hidden well. Out of all animals though a raptrix came into her life one day and the wild creature quickly came into Talisia's heart. It was hard at first taming a wild beast who thrashed in pain due to an injured leg, but once the healing process started both began to truly bond. Silva, she named him due to his silver pelt, became her friend who actually could start healing the void left by her father.
Of course not everything could remain so and it was in a fit of rage by her mother that Talisia found everything she had loved lost once more. Nivedita had found Silva and discovered that her daughter's past time was healing animals. Angered that her daughter had some peace in her life and was 'wasting' her time with dirty creatures Nivedita struck out against them. Talisia could not stand by and watch as her mother tried to harm those she had healed. Her intervention redirected her mother's rage at the animals towards her instead. Only her brother’s protests kept her crazed mother from killing her. Forbidden to ever come back the girl was tossed out into the bitter winds with only the image of her brothers flickering gaze bidding her goodbye.
In a way she could see what he said in her heart. Get away find a new life and one day I will catch up to you sister. All she could do was hope and pray that he was right.
Her heart full of hope and courage she took her few belongings and clutching the sun and moon pendant gifted to her by her father the girl took off. She was only half ice after all and now was the time to find out exactly what the shifter life promised her. Maybe somewhere out there on that horizon that her father often told stories of would be her happiness.
Only time would tell.
Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 6:55 pm
Family
❅☾ Ciarán (Kian) - Her dear twin brother. While they were not allowed to be together often she still fondly remembers all the music he played for her while they were children growing up along with his help in saving her life.
Now that she's found him the woman spent time with him in Jahaur before circumstances separated them again. On occasion, however, he will stop by in Zena before going on his own once more.
❅ Nivedita - Her cruel mother. Once the lady may have been respected by Talisia and she often tried to earn her love, but the last image she remembers of her is a raging demon who was intent on destroying her life.
☾ Kaleo - Her deceased father. He was always loving and doted on his daughter. From him Talisia learned a lot about love and the stories he told of his shifter heritage always intrigued her including his love for the sun and moon.
Dris: After becoming fast friends with the shifter who took her into her home so many years ago, Talisia was shocked to discover that they are in fact half-sisters.
☾ Silva - her familiar and adventuring partner.
☾ Zyphire: Her younger cousin. A bit of a trouble maker, but none-the-less family.
Significant Other & Children
❤ Eresin - A sage who became her dear friend, the two later marrying and moving into Zena together.
☾ Katori - her free-spirited daughter.
☾ Taaru - her loving son who is just as kind as his father.
Friends
*Callum - A dear, dear friend who Talisia trusts more than most.
*Ujana - If there's anyone to get into trouble with, Ujana is it. She misses her old friend despite all the trouble they caused in Oba.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 6:57 pm
Beast Companions:
*Silva - A raptrix who Talisia saved after finding him stuck in a hole with a broken leg. It took a long time but she finally earned his trust and helped him to recover and now the two are inseparable.
*Yukiyo - A baby kinfa that Talisia saved while in Jauhar. Originally solid white the little baby soon grow stronger and even gained colors in her feathers as she started to age...
*Shyam - Her mischievous mount. He is a troublemaker, but is completely dedicated to Talisia - he bonded with her in Oba through races in the desert.
*Zari- A stray kitten Perzi that Talisia rescued in Oba. She's attached to the girl's side now and won't leave her. Very shy around others however and often hides by Silva.
Stage 2 Passing Time - Meeting Gael, her first Matori, while in Oba...
Finished
Stage 3: [Here come the hotsteppers] - Talisia meets with Dris to tell her of her plans while they encounter a "friend" of her sister's.
[Ready to go?] - Talisia has learned that her twin may still be alive and so she decides that she will take Eresin to Jauhar since that is now her destination as well....
Stage 2:
Discovering Lost Secrets - Finally Talisia's heritage is revealed and she discovers that Dris is actually her half-sister.
Whatcha Up to Snow Princess - Talisia discovers Callum in Oba and once more they get into some (fun)trouble.
Restless Wandering - Encountering Eresin, a merchant's son from Zena, brings up lost memories?
Opa! - Meeting Ujana leads to a series of fun events...
Remembering - Talisia gets into a scuffle and finds Eresin...
Basically use all of these [if I missed anything feel free to charge extra or pm me] to create an idea based off of this concept sketch by Sin ...with her hair still curly and fluffy (but pulled more into a side ponytail that goes over her shoulder and still has some braids interwoven here and there). [Hairstyle #8] Feel free to use light cosmetics and to also incorporate a ring on a finger *can have a sapphire blue stone in it with some swirly design or something - totally CC*
Also, her special weapon is a sword whip. Special Weapon for Stage 4 *With Display of Power* Lightning or Ice effects
**Also her familiar, [SILVA], is the one choosen for the picture. She can be riding him or he can just be next to her (CC)
((Another note: Yukiyo Is growing with her since she's had the kinfa since stage 2)) Body Type: A lot like her last stage, curvy and endowed. Kinda has a motherly feeling to her, but still can be a badass. xD Preferred Artists: Kana full or collab (Collab with Serg, Jay, Phieth, Smerd, Tasi), Uke (Collab with Serg, Jay, Phieth, Smerd, Tasi) Livestreaming: If they want to then sure! :3
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:11 pm
Sleepless Nights
Talisia still suffered from horrible nightmares. Even while she was beneath the large branches of the trees in the rainforest and surrounded by a thick blanket of heat the girl felt the ice cold grips of Zena around her. Night after night she would find herself thrashing in her sleep and yelling out silently as her mother slashed the air in front of her. Every time the victims would change between her brother, Silva, and even her father as they were slashed in the throat. The one that did haunt her the most was the image of her brother with his shoulder slashed down towards his chest. He cursed her for making his life so complicated when all he had to do was be loved by their mother while her father cursed her for keeping him from his homeland. Silva would just look at her with his quiet, cold gaze and turn to leave her bleeding alone on the floor. Ice would spread over her and her body would freeze on the ground with only the warm gush of blood moving.
Tonight Talisia saw her mother raise the sword towards her father once more and by the time her mother’s hands wrapped around her neck the girl found herself jumping forward. Oh! Breathing raggedly she had to rub a hand across her throat, It’s okay it was just a dream. I’m alive... Wiping the sticky sweat of the night hit from her brow the girl had to swallow back the dry tears that burned her throat. Even here all the way out in Jauhar it seemed her mother’s memory would never leave her alone. It was always there lingering in the background.
“Will I ever be free of this?” Talisia wrapped her arms around her bare legs and tucking her legs against her chest had to wait for the shaking to stop. Once more though the nightmares had waken her long before the dawn and so restless the girl found herself slipping out once more into the nighttime. It was definitely cooler now than the heat of day, but still Talisia found herself barely clad in anything save for a short dress that she had managed to put together with some leftover cloth.
Who would have thought that I would have left my furs in a chest never to be used? Admittedly even though she could be so free and alive here the cold winds and snows held a place in her heart. It had been her home after all for years and so she found it hard to let go of. Perhaps one day she would travel back there and see what she could find. For now though this was her new home.
She just hoped that her twin would manage to find her. He never did break promises after all. So why would he now? The thought made the girl sigh as she trailed a finger over the bark of another huge tree. Would she forever feel like a stranger alone in this land? Even with Dris and her family helping out Talisia still felt awkward. It was so hard to get along with others and she honestly wished she could just disappear and live on her own in the wilds somewhere.
Not like anyone would care if I vanished. The thought truly brought her down and the girl found herself sitting against the tree. What was she even doing here? Finding traces of her father’s previous life before Zena felt hopeless as the days went on. Talisia herself felt hopeless as she struggled to adapt to the area. It really was frustrating finding out her body felt so weak just because of some climate change. Time would help her to get along better here, but she still found herself frustrated daily.
Her eyes flickered shut for a brief moment of weakness before warm fur brushed against her body. Blinking in surprise Talisia reached out to touch the familiar face of a silver raptrix, “Silva?” She found herself smiling and without thinking grabbed out to hug the raptrix. He hadn’t left her after all! Laughing softly she ruffled his fur one last time before letting go, “Figures you would wait around until I felt really desperate before appearing again.”
Tilting his head the raptrix settled on the ground across from her and stared as if studying her, “Yes, yes I’m well and alive.” Talisia raised her hands and rotated them, “See? No major wounds or damage here.” Seemingly content Silva rested his head on top of his paws before stretching out. The girl found herself studying his leg. It seemed well and good to go. She was actually surprised that the familiar had decided to stay with her and bonded.
He once had been such a wild spirit after all.
Leaning back against the tree Talisia smiled at the memories. She had been young herself when she had stumbled onto the raptrix. He had always been around her home and night after night she had found herself watching him run free across the moonlit snows. Every time she tried to get close though he teased her before running off at the last second. One night though the routine had been broken and the girl found herself confused. Where had the raptrix gone?
A whining howl had given her the answer.
Running through the snows with a cloak tightly wrapped around her the girl found him twisted up at the bottom of a smaller cliff. His leg was bent awkwardly and his body was riddled with scratches and blood. Something big had fought him and shoved him over the edge. What a dirty trick to use. Frowning Talisia had moved forward only for the raptrix to snap at her hands.
“Stop it.” She finally found her voice boldly, “I’m going to help you no matter how much you try snapping at me.” And snapped he did. Talisia paid no mind though as the creature bit into her arm and instead only held him closer, “Shh, it’s alright. I’m going to help you through this.” She tore strips from her cloak to bandage before his wounds and only towards the end remember her own arm. She didn’t want to leave him alone in the dark so without meaning too fell asleep against the raptrix through the night only to wake up the next morning.
She was fortunate that her twin was quick on his feet and had protected her from being noticed as she hurried through the halls a mess. But night after night she began to go back and forth between her home and the temporary shelter she had made for the raptrix. Night after night the growling finally slowed down and a bit of warmth came to the cold eyes. Finally she started seeing him to move on his own again despite a bad limp. “You’ve got this!” Laughing more so than ever before the girl clapped her hands as the creature started to run through the snows.
She was so happy that he was doing well.
Talisia could only laugh quietly at the memories. He truly had given her some serious trouble though. Always snapping at her for applying ointments to his wounds and always barking at her in protest when she tried coddling him. Even splashing her with water as she tried bathing his fur. But he had become the best companion she could have ever wished for. After being kicked out into the world alone the girl had found that his help kept her alive.
Thank you Silva. Resting her head against the raptrix’s back she found that perhaps a warm pillow and some familiar scent was all she needed to finally have a night of rest. There she slept beneath the watching trees curled up against her dearest guardian. Like all the nights before he would make certain to watch over her in place of the father she had long lost.
Even now in the heat of Jauhar he stayed for her.
And for that she was forever grateful.
(1345)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:07 pm
Decisions...
Was it always so hot here? Talisia panted as she leaned up against the high branch of yet another tree. Back in Zena there had been some trees amongst the icy mountains, but here it was tree after tree after tree. A never ending cycle of them. Still as the girl rested in the heat she had to smile. It really wasn’t so bad here. All she had to do was get used to this high living and also to the heat. The rains were nice though with their heavy melodies and refreshing showers. In a way the white showers reminded her of the icy snows of Zena. Both were beautiful in their own way as they cascaded down through the lands.
As the thoughts crossed her mind a loud roll of thunder echoed through the trees. A few fat drops slowly dripped through the leaves before the skies completely opened pouring down a white wall of rain. Pressing back Talisia hugged the tree’s body in an attempt to use the higher branches full of leaves as a shelter. Not that she minded the refreshing feel of the lukewarm waters pouring down around her, but her clothing choice was a bit…uncomfortable with her history. It’s one thing to get me out of my furs and dresses, but to be wet wearing these is a different story. No longer did she have her body completely covered in warm wools and fur, but instead only in silks and light materials that barely covered her body.
And for that to get wet basically meant she was wearing nothing.
Flushing at the thought Talisia just settled into the nook of the tree. Her long slender legs were pulled up against her chest and she wrapped her arms around her calves while resting her head between her knees. This was nice and relaxing. She truly hadn’t felt this peaceful in a long while. It was strange being able to rest without worry. While the hybrid still felt unease amongst crowds and hated the stares that her mixed heritage gave her the shelter of the trees was a blessing. In a forest full of other earthlings she could still manage to find solitude.
Well mostly solitude. A wet flurry of wings greeted her as a raptrix’s annoyed face came into view. Trying her hardest to hide her laughter Talisia reached out towards Silva as he dragged himself further onto the branch, “You uh enjoying your bath?”
Growling low in his throat Silva attempted to shake off the water from his fur. Raising her hands to cover her face the hybrid laughed, “Alright, alright. I’m sorry!” Settling down on his paws Silva just stared at her before slowly blinking his eyes. As if disinterested the raptrix turned his head before fully closing his eyes.
“I see how it is.” Talisia could only shake her head as she leaned back again. Honestly she had been surprised that the raptrix had followed her all the way out here to Jauhar. It was a grateful feeling knowing that Silva had decided to stick through, but Talisia couldn’t help worrying. How was the climate for the raptrix? His fur is so thick that you would think he would be smoldering all the time.
Gods knew that she didn’t even have fur, but the heat transition from Zena to Jauhar was harsh for her. Her gaze shadowed with worries Talisia slowly reached out to ruffle the raptrix’s fur. Could he really stay with her here in Jahaur? The hybrid bit her lip thoughtfully before reaching out to gently hug the creature. A soft whine of protest caught her attention and the girl had to brush away the tears in her eyes, “It’s just rain, alright?” The thoughts of having to let Silva go for his own good was breaking her heart.
Could she really do it?
Silva had done so much for her. He had been her companion and guardian throughout all of the lands as she had traveled. Even in Jauhar he had helped to not only save her, but her dear acquaintance Callum. That was another worry on her heart. Minus the climate what would happen if those shifters remembered Silva as the beast that had chased them off that night? Would they get a second chance to hurt him? It really might be best to let him roam free again for his own good. She was certain he remembered how to get back to Zena. After all she knew he was smarter than most. Surely he would remember the way then. Hesitant and confused the hybrid continued to just watch the rains. It was a lonely life adjusting to Jauhar and she was glad for Dris and the family’s help, but having Silva was her lifeline. He was like the guardian that kept her father’s presence near and kept Zena in her thoughts as well. Her twin had even sacrificed so much for her as well by letting her have Silva back home. Another pang went through her heart. Was she really cursed to let go of everyone she ever held dear?
First my papa then my twin and now Silva? Talisia felt like iron had filled her chest. She was trying her hardest to be tough and independent, but in all honesty she had gotten attached to others. Silva was the one who she cherished the most in this place as well. How would she get along without him to comfort her?
I don’t want him to suffer any longer either though. Sighing Talisia just bent her head once more and closed her eyes. She would think about it for a bit more and then decide. Surely another day or two wouldn’t hurt him right? He had already been in Jauhar with her for weeks now and so far didn’t seem to bad for wear. His energy seemed to lack though and she realized he must hate the closeness of the trees which kept him from openly flying high like he used to.
She truly was greedy for keeping him for so long.
Still even though Talisia was gripped by guilt a warm head nudged her. Blinking in surprise the girl looked up to see her raptrix pressing close to her. Smiling Talisia let him rest in her lap and began to gently stroke his head. It was a rare moment and she was going to cherish it.
After all who knew how many more chances she had for times like these?
(104cool
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 3:50 pm
Beast Charmer, Me?
Talisia found herself running to the market once more. Every time she felt like she was settled in Jauhar there was more need to find new materials and items. This time she had decided that she was going to pay back Dris for letting her stay with the family. But she realized she had nothing really to give Dris that would be helpful and so Talisia had packed a few more of her trinkets into a bag to trade for some sort of gift for the shifter girl. I just wish I had an idea of what I should be getting her.
Nothing too fancy looking or anything too delicate. The shifters she stayed with worked with weapons and Dris was far from being delicate. Still maybe something pretty wouldn’t hurt her…the hybrid was lost in her thoughts when she heard soft sounds of protest. Pausing by the merchant’s stall Talisia blinked and looked over. What had made such a soft squeak? Almost like a silent plea. Maybe others couldn’t hear it as well, but the hybrid’s sharp ears from her ice heritage made the sound crystal clear.
Others may have passed it without thinking twice, but Talisia could hear the pain in that call. It was a soft and simple plea for help and the girl could not refuse. Spinning quickly on her heels Talisia scanned the crowds. I know I heard it somewhere… Another chirp caught her attention and the girl started to move through the crowds. It was farther back than she had ever dared to be in the market as she much preferred to stay on the edge away from most. Yet the call was something she couldn’t ignore.
It just sounded so helpless and weak.
Hadn’t she sounded like that once? Talisia’s gaze brimmed at the memories. Once she had tried her hardest to scream out her pain, but it had come out as a silent plea. A plea for mercy, for another chance to try…her gaze lowered towards the ground. Ciaran had been the only one to hear it and without him she didn’t know what would have happened. I would have never made it this far.
At the thought she finally stumbled to the area where she had pinpointed the location of the cries. Fluttering weakly in a cage made of vines was the smallest kinfa she had ever seen. Even though it was a baby it was obviously smaller than any others in its family. The rest were being sold and bought easily while this little guy was alone and stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Are Kinfas supposed to be that color, mommy?” A little shifter girl pointed to the cage while her mother just shook her head sadly.
“No dear. That little guy isn’t healthy. He’s not even got any color to him.”
It was a tone that Talisia recognized well. A tone of disappointment that held no hope for the little creature in that cage. The older shifter was truly expecting it to die soon. Ever since Talisia had met Callum and his baby kinfa the hybrid had studied up on the species. Normally they have bright feathers and a clear chirp at this age… She found herself stepping forward towards the lone cage where the kinfa was separated from others as if he had a disease.
So what if he was smaller? Talisia felt outraged by the actions of the merchants who had done this to the little guy. He may have been smaller and his feathers may have not been brilliant, but Talisia found him to be unique not ugly. His gaze was a brilliant blue as well and she couldn’t help reaching out for him. You are a cute little guy.
“I’d be careful if I were you.”
Pausing in surprise at the tone of a merchant Talisia turned to face them, “What do you mean?” Her voice was soft, but sharp as she questioned him.
“This guy here isn’t even supposed to be here. I got stuck with him and can’t dump him yet.” The merchant scowled at the avian, “Supposed to have been a special buy and then when I finally get to see the cage it’s got him included. Stupid winds messin’ with me.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with him.”
She felt like she was being scrunitized as the merchant shook his head, “Then you don’t know a thing about these guys. See?” He motioned towards the rest of the kinfas, “They’re colorful and bigger right? This guy is colorless and doesn’t even make a chirp. Might as well be a dead one to me.”
“Fine I’ll take him.”
The merchant raised an eyebrow, “What? Surely you’re wanting one of these other little guys, right?”
“Nope, I want him.” Talisia pointed a finger boldly towards the white kinfa, “I want that one right there.”
“You hybrids really are foolish.”
Talisia fought and argued with the merchant until finally a delicate and very expensive necklace she had kept from Zena came into sight. For that price he would give her the runt of the batch. She just had to promise not to let anyone know where the kinfa had come from since it was bad business on his part to let such a thing get sold.
As she briskly left the market Talisia made certain to keep her now heavier bag tight in her arms. Skipping over roots and vines the girl finally found that she was far enough away to stop, “Alright come on out now.” Carefully she opened the bag and helped the kinfa chick to jump out and onto a low branch next to her, “Can you fly?”
As if it were protesting the kinfa shook his wings towards her.
“I know better than that. But here you can be free, alright?” No one else could look at it like he was a freak that didn’t belong. He could be free to fly and out of cages…Talisia blinked in surprise as she felt a tug at her hair.
“Hey now stop that. You’re supposed to be flying free with others now.”
There was that quiet bell of a chirp again.
Talisia had to just shake her head, “You’re really protesting this? What do you want to do stick with me now? I only bought you cause I was tired of everyone abusing you.” She had seen the children who had tried to rough up the kinfa and she had noticed how the merchant never had water in its cage.
She loved animals too much to see them so abused, especially just because they were slightly different. The thought made her think of her father’s stories, ”You know Talisia I had a great friend once. He fought like any soldier but had the softest heart for the scariest of beasts.” How nice it must be to be bold enough to tame any creature. Talisia was just content to see them running free though. Just like Silva she had never forced him to follow her, the raptrix had just chosen to do so on his own.
I want to earn their love, not their servitude.
At the thought she realized that a small melody was filling the air around her. The white kinfa was still following her and this time it was singing. “Are you really that happy to follow me?” Talisia could only shake her head in amusement, “You know just because I’m an outcast like you does not mean we should group together.”
But wasn’t that what she was good at?
Talisia had always had a knack for gathering unique creatures to her side. If only I had the belief in myself… Then again as she looked into the kinfa’s gaze she couldn’t help smiling. Maybe just maybe she could be like her father’s old friend. She was no dancer, fighter, or magician after all.
But what I can do is take care of creatures.
As the kinfa settled on her shoulder Talisia started moving back towards her current home. This time though she had more clarity than before on what awaited her in life. Who knew that her father’s old tales would inspire her to become a Beast Charmer?
Maybe one day if she traveled more and learned about all sorts of beasts she could even consider herself a Beast master one day. Talisia could only hope. This though was the first step on her path of life and the girl was happy with it. What more could she ask for than training alongside the creatures she trusted and loved?
Smiling at the thought Talisia rubbed a finger along the kinfa’s head, “Come on then I’ll take you home and clean off those feathers of yours. You’re probably hungry too right?” Maybe once she cleaned off that grime from the cage she could see what true colors his grayed feathers held. He might want a name as well too…she could wait on that. She hated naming them too early after all. I need to see him more to know what his name could be first.
As she thought about all the possibilities the kinfa chirped happily before tucking it’s head against Talisia’s neck.
((1534))
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Offline
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:48 pm
After the Battle..
The battle was over.
Talisia still remembered the feeling of heat rushing through her blood as she faced her enemy. The Alkidike extremist had faced her friend and left him gravely injured leaving her alone against the warrior woman. Her familiar, Silva, was out on an important carrier mission and little Yukiyo was safe back at camp. She was a beast charmer who had fought alone. It had truly been a moment to prove herself and her own strength. No more could she hide behind Silva.
As the blades rushed towards her throat, the girl was reminded of the nightmares that had haunted her for months. Her mother’s own blade had once sought her throat and now another was trying to finish the deed…If I die here then I waste Ciaran’s sacrifice! The thought forced her hand to raise against the blades. Blood, brilliantly red against her pale blue skin, gleamed as her shoulder took the slash instead. Her whip was free to do as it pleased and she found herself knocking the warrior aside so that she could help her friend and get to safety…
Now days later Talisia found herself bandaged and heading back to Jauhar. While Callum and Dris had went on ahead the girl had taken the time to explore the area. What was the hurry after all? She had no family to go home to and her friends had seen her off. The hybrid was just thankful that her friends had made it safely away from the battle and could go home together.
“I finally fought.” The thought brought a smile to her lips, “What do you think Silva?” She reached over to ruffle the fur of the silver raptrix, “Are you proud?” For once she hadn’t run and she had actually learned to lash out and defend herself. Her twin would have been proud…the thought tore into her very soul and the girl found her eyes watering.
Oh my.
A smile of mixed emotions lightly flickered across the girl’s face as she reached up to rub her eyes. How was it that she could just randomly start crying now? It was such a sign of weakness that she felt disgusted with herself. She hadn’t cried since leaving Zena. Not even when she was traveling through Tendaji on her own had she faltered…
She had been in Tale hunting through the tall trees with Silva at her side then. Her body had faint bruises from her mother’s assault and her face was haggard from days of running without sleep. Talisia hadn’t been able to rest until she was over the snowy mountains and out of the country. Her mother’s presence had haunted her like a shadow and the memory of her twin, that bloody image it was, still lingered in her mind. It was his gaze, so calm despite the long slash opening his throat and chest, which had pushed her to run.
It had been fun being in Tale and Sauti. The girl had been so skittish of strangers that the kindness offered to her by both Leaf and Wind alike had been surprising. Others, however, had taken a double take to notice the hybrid’s strange features – her gaze in particular. For those she had taken to wearing a cloak to help hide her hair and eyes. And then the fact that other hybrids existed? It was exciting and difficult to accept at once.
As a youngling she had thought she was unique and alone in the world save for her twin, but now she understood that hybrids did exist. Apparently even were slowly becoming more of a common thing as the countries opened up to each other. She could only hope that in a faraway future no one could be judged for their heritage. That would be a nice world.
The creatures she encountered had amazed her as well, but the girl had been in no state to take care of another familiar. Only Silva stayed with her and while she did help heal some beasts, the girl let them run back to their natural habitat once they were able. Perhaps that was even why it took her a few extra weeks to travel through both Sauti and Tale.
Then finally she had arrived in Jauhar…
“And here I am.” Talisia forced a chuckle through the tears that lingered in her gaze. The tall trees of Jauhar were beginning to feel like a home to her. Silva even seemed happy enough with the glowing fauna and the girl had to laugh as the great beast became tangled in some vines, “Having problems?”
Huffing the raptrix shook off his attachments before walking forward with his wings pressed tightly to his body. He was having none of those jokes today. Talisia was impressed with how quickly he moved through the jungle. Before she had worried about his adaptability, but once more her friend proved her wrong. Even she had adapted more to the heat and had to wonder exactly how well she could even stand the cold anymore. Not that I plan on ever returning. Her heart jumped at the thought. As long as her mother existed, Talisia would never dare step foot towards Zena.
Perhaps she could just live the rest of her life here among the trees. If only she could find her father’s family…would they accept her? Did you even have family, papa? What if he had been an orphan? So many wars had happened on this side of the continent that it was possible. Then I suppose I’ll just have my own family of sorts. She had Callum and Dris…between the two of them Jauhar really had started feeling like home.
Home…something she had never had before.
It was nice being able to think about a place like that. Now that the fighting was over she could hopefully find a place of her own in the trees and start her search again. She had come here to find the life her father had left and the war had taken her away from that. Now it was time to rest and recover so that her search could begin again….
