Items Metal Band || Change of Clothes || Crafting Recipe
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:54 pm
♥ Table of Contents ♥ ❣ Table of Contents ❣ Current Things ❣ Nadiya ❣ History ❣ Family/Friends/Foes ❣ Beast Companions ❣ Rps & Plots ❣ Inventory ❣ Photos ❣ Reqs
Sabra Knight
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Sabra Knight
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Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:55 pm
So far:
♥ Nadiya is won in the reopening event! (1/8/16)
♥ Nadiya grows to rogue (minstrel path)!
♥Nadiya's art for second stage arrives!(2/28/16)
♥Nadiya's art for third stage arrives! (10/11/16)
Currently: ♥ After traveling through most of Tendaji, Nadiya returned home to take care of her ailing mother. After being recruited with her family, Nadiya travels with Ahren and her sister, Neryssa, towards Sauti for the grand market.
However, recent events have introduced a new country which Nadiya will shortly be visiting as the airships return to Belrea...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:38 pm
Apprentice Art Name: Nadiya Stage: Prentice Race: Earthling - Water Gender: Girl Sexuality: Bi 3 Base Traits: Intuitive, Inventive, Dreamer Personality: A very intuitive soul, Nadiya has learned to expect things at all times. Even the faintest shiver down her spine tells her that something is off and away she goes to make sure that a younger sibling hasn't destroyed her mother's favorite vase! She believes that what you feel is strongly related to reality and her gut instinct is often correct. Often this makes her the family's lucky star, the one they always go to before making some torn decision to see which one feels correct with her. She's also very good at reading people due to this natural instinct and because of such always knows what stories to tell, especially to her siblings.However, this does make her very prone to actions that go against logic, sometimes for either the good or bad. After all her gut instinct isn't always right.
Raising younger siblings result in having to become very innovative. Stories, ballads, all the ways to amuse her four younger siblings forced Nadiya to expand her mind. She was always one to think "outside of the box" before, but now she is an expert at figuring out quick solutions. Hiding things from her parents while growing up became a hobby and it's most likely her that is fixing something behind the scenes for her siblings. Once more though, this steers her away from standard reactions and approaches resulting in a more unique answers. For those reasons she does appear as a bit strange to others, even her own family sometimes.
Being so overwhelmed by her siblings forced Nadiya to learn to live outside of her own world. Not physically, of course since she wasn't one to bail out on her family when they needed her, but rather mentally. Rather than spending time learning a trade or listening to her brother and father debate, the girl has taken to dreaming about far away adventures. She has a rather optimistic air about her and can easily be carried away by romantic ballads.
In a way it shapes her up into a hopeless romantic who just wants to be swept away...
Not that her family agrees with that of course. They're a hard working bunch, while Nadiya prefers to daydream just a little bit too much for their tastes. One day though she's determined to go out and find her own fairy tale.
Description: Slender and petite, it's strange to see that she can boss so many siblings around. At 4'9 she is also shorter than most in her family as well. Her voice, however, can be projected loudly as can her lightening fast kicks. Clothing: Anything in shades of various greens and teals Accessories: A belt made of golden beads, it was a gift from her mother when she was a child.
A traveling scarf gifted to her by Ahren when they parted and he gave her his blessing to go off and learn music... Some quirks/habits: -Lightning fast reflexes, in a way it's like she can teleport anywhere that there's trouble. (Must be a factor of having so many siblings to keep up with) -Has a very musical voice, almost like bells. -When irritated she does the traditional hand on hip and tapping foot gesture. -She loves music and will often sneak away from home to play on a flute she was gifted a long time ago.
Sabra Knight
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Sabra Knight
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Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:47 pm
Nadiya's family lineage started in Oba as her mother was a slave to a prestigious family. Young and innocent she didn't know what to do when the war freed the Matori and found herself reunited with distant cousins back in her homeland. There she was introduced to a hardworking tradesman who stole her heart. While much in love neither of the pair were prone to show such emotions and focused more on working hard to build their home.
When Nadiya was a child it was just her and her older brother, Ahren, for the longest time. At least it felt like the longest time for the girl. When her brother was just an apprentice there came Yira and then the triplets. While they were just babes, Nadiya was helping to clean the house and care for them while her parents worked. Ahren was already was taking up trade as a traveling rogue and quickly started up his own business leaving Nadiya alone in charge of their siblings.
In her own way then Nadiya took over the role of mother and found herself constantly running back and forth on errands both inside and outside of her home. Secretly while in the markets she would often be distracted by traveling bards and often she would come home later than planned. Eventually she was caught and chastised for getting so easily distracted, but as Nadiya grew so did her love of music. Her most cherished present is a flute gifted to her by a traveling rogue who was inspired by own of Nadiya's own spontaneous ballads.
As a result she often began sneaking off in the later hours of the afternoon, while most were preparing to sleep so that she could sit in the cliffs and enjoy music. Finding her greatest inspiration in the beauty of nature Nadiya can often be found sitting along those cliffs under the sunset skies. Should one wander that way while in Matori they may possibly hear the faintest sounds of a flute floating through the cliffs.
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:39 pm
Family:
Ahren - Her dear older brother. Before they may have squabbled, but many of their previous misunderstandings have cleared up.
Yira - Her younger sister who is fond of crafting; a very silent and sweet girl.
The Triplets - Her youngest trio of siblings, these three are a handful! (Nyl, Nylo, and
Neryssa - x- The one girl of the triplets who always adored Diya's music and would dance. <3 )
Class Quest Solo:[here] Items: Change of clothes x 2, gloves, shoes, cosmetics, sewing kit x 6, necklace x 4, belt x 2, dancer's ribbon x 8, fetish x 10, metal band x 4, cloak, journal, niribii root, styling shears, musical instrument (basically feel free to add/use any items as necessary).
Outfit: Something one would wear in Belrea that has hints of blue, greens, or teals, etc from Matori.
Artist can have the choice of what type of wear to go after (either a more formal performing outfit or just a more casual Belrean outfit - CC on exact design).
Shoes - can be whatever the artist would like to match the outfit with (sandals or boots). One cute idea that could be referenced is - [boots] (stockings can be added too if wanted, etc - CC)
Use some cosmetics as well and she can have earrings, necklaces, as wanted. CC
Instrument Preferably something stringed, a lyre or something like a zither would be ideal.
If wanted she can have a music book, a satchel, etc. Just have fun with her!
Body Type: Still petite, but she has developed some curves. Preferred Artists: Miss Lines w/ Flan Colors or Tasi Style 2 / Flan Full / Lines w/ Tasi Style 2 WIPs: Sure. :3
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:40 pm
Solo 1
Another lovely evening. Nadiya loved nothing more than climbing the cliffs in the late afternoons so that she could perch on her rock, a large jutting thing that hovered above the great waters, and watch the skies change. It was while she was here that she could relax and daydream. Not that she didn’t deserve it of course. A hard day of working with her large family, four younger sisters and brothers to take care of with her elder sibling already gone into his own trades, left her pretty exhausted. So it was while she was out here in the cliffs that the Matori girl allowed her mind to wander and dream up all of the possibilities life could present her. Many were fantastical since she often wanted more than want a poor Matori family could offer.
Today even she had found herself running on thin strings with two of the triplets, Youn and Yeo, both tag teaming her as they tumbled through the house. Her mother’s favorite vase had nearly been sacrificed if it hadn’t been for her lovely dive through the main hall towards where the vase wobbled. It had been a rare prize from an Oban artisan that her mother loved. I could just imagine the journey it would take if she required me to replace it with an identical twin. Already the story was forming in her mind about how many miles of desert she would have to cross with the delicate vase. Or even better if she would have to apprentice herself to that artisan for many moons just to earn a portion of the beautiful piece. Nadiya smirked, “Then as I return home I find there’s twenty copies of the same vase in our own market.” Now that would be a tale.
Thinking of the market reminded her of the newest rumors on the street. Apparently this island that the Alkidike extremists had been sent to was not as vacant as believed. A race of people actually lived there! Who could have guessed that another race had been so close to Matori for so many years? And the island was apparently huge, much bigger than their own land.
The more she thought about the rumors which were stirring throughout Tendaji, Nadiya found herself questioning these Yaeli. What could these strangers offer her? Smirking the girl tore at a piece of rough grass that she found in the rock cracks, “I doubt they’re monsters like Siri believes.” Strangers with glowing eyes that could see into your very soul? Just the thought sent a shiver down her spine, “Boogeymen the lot of them.”
Curled up with her back against the stone walls, Nadiya watched as colors began to streak through the skies. Their island wasn’t too far from Matori at all. Who would have imagined being so close to these strange people? I’m sure they’re not so strange at all. She smiled as she raised a blue hand towards the sunlight, “I mean… it’s not like I can say much about strange appearances.” What if the Matori had been hidden instead of being slaves? If the Matori had just been discovered…Would the rumors be similar to how the Yael were being treated? Sure, her eyes didn’t glow but nothing about them were similar to any Oban’s. Actually Nadiya would be delighted to have glowing eyes. Talk about making a drastic appearance in the evening light!
Still if the Matori had been found under different circumstances…“I wouldn’t want to be considered a monster.” Then again the thought brought a sly smile to her lips, “I suppose being a monster might give you more freedom.” It was far better than being turned into a slave. Nadiya just hoped that they could come and understand the Yaeli before a fight broke out. She really wasn’t much of one for violence. Rather…romance was what inspired her. Romance and musical ballads that she had heard from the few bards passing through.
Maybe that’s why I haven’t found anyone yet. The girl sighed wistfully as she stretched out to gaze at the fading sun, “Are you out there with the yaeli, dear star?” Her star, her wishful love. It was another thing that her siblings made fun of her for. Having such fanciful thoughts about romance and adventure, that was just a waste of time. Her family was far too practical for such things. It was hard enough to hide the small flute given to her that she played out in the cliffs during such times.
Lifting the piece towards her lips Nadiya began to play ever so quietly. Perhaps it was because she was the oddball in her hardworking family that she wished to meet these new strangers. If Tendaji thought they were strange, then she felt even more inclined to learn about them. From one oddball to the next, I wish you well. And she hoped, just as she often dreamed, that perhaps the Yaeli were her ticket to something new.
Perhaps I am just being silly, but I wouldn’t mind it. As much as she loved her homeland with its sandy beaches and cliffs which were kissed by waves Nadiya wouldn’t mind seeing more of the world. It didn’t seem to fit any ballad setting for her to just find love next door. The girl flushed and shook her head, “Not that I would want that.” Any nearby boy was too boring and plain. Unless you know they’re hiding the good ones somewhere. Nadiya laughed at the thought, “Perhaps I am just too picky. Who knows?” Maybe she was even plain to those nearby as well. Lying her flute on the ground the girl leaned back so that she could get a better glimpse of the sky. I really wish that there was adventure waiting for me somewhere. As much as she loved her family she didn’t want to be stuck in this life of trading and sibling watching forever.
She was getting older and her spirit was itching to fly.
Nadiya tries to reason with herself about supposed monsters in Yael, but her imagination gets the best of her...
Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 9:55 am
Solo 3
Fond memories~
Nadya, why don’t you go to market with me? Ahren had leaned towards her during breakfast, but the girl had only scowled towards her brother. As usual she had thankfully made up some little excuse to lead him away from her before she managed to disappear from the house.
“I don’t understand his obsession with making me work with him.” Nadiya frowned as she kicked up some sand, “He just doesn’t want to quit traveling.” Someone had to help at home soon, and she knew her brother had wanderlust as well. Not in the sense she held, but still he would rather travel with his wares than stay at home ordering and selling things. It wasn’t like her parents were dying either! So why did they think she was more suited to keeping stock at home?
“Surely out of my four younger siblings…” Muttering under her breath Nadiya stalked off towards the shoreline. At least out here among the cliffs she could enjoy a bit of respite. There weren’t any siblings destroying the home or any older sibling or parents to pester her about her life goals. Such a hassle. Nadiya just wanted to take her time and to explore the world. She had dreams of adventure and love that drove her, not making profits! To think that once she would have gladly followed in her parent’s footsteps…the thought made her stomach curl. How could she have ever been happy like that?
“When did the change happen?” Looking up towards the cloudy sky the girl frowned, “When did I change?” At the question she glanced down towards the decorated wooden flute in her hands. When had music filled her soul so completely? It wasn’t like she wasn’t adept at the trade her parents did either…numbers had always come so easily to her, far better than her brother actually. She also had good gut instinct about others and could always tell when a trade was fair or not. Her luck with guessing numbers or even the weather was crazy good as well. She was her family’s own fortune teller. The thought made the faintest smile cross her features. Now those were the good days.
Yet, when Ahren left them to go traveling the girl had felt the stirrings of something. Hearing about his travels had inspired her to want to become a peddler, but it was during a heartbreaking moment that she first found music. Her brother had just rebuked her abilities and had left to go on a trip without her despite her pleas. It was on that day when she had felt the weariest and had no motivation for life Nadiya had been in the markets. Numb, the girl had moved like a robot before hearing something that danced between the market stalls. What was that?
The young Nadiya had shoved through crowds to find a spectacular scene before her. There, in the middle of the market a minstrel was playing his music. Tears had filled the girl’s eyes at how touching the melodies were. Everything was so beautiful and happy…then sad and then frightening and then happy again. A whole story wrapped up in just a few songs. Every note brushed her mind and made her imagination wonder about the possibilities.
She had wanted to ignore it at first, just appreciate the beauty and go on with her life. That was what her parent’s would have wanted. Yet, the next day she found an excuse to visit the markets again. Once more she found herself gathering by the crowds to listen to the minstrel play. “Do you know what that means?” A group of younglings gathered around her as the minstrel’s music danced around them.
“Right now the warrior must be coming to rescue his love.” Nadiya whispered, almost without thinking, “Those loud notes mean that he must be fighting someone along the way.” As the music played around them she found that a story had formed in her mind to go along with the notes. The younglings followed her every word and from then on looked for Nadiya to come to market. It was then that she could tell them the stories and enjoy the music.
Eventually the minstrel caught on. It was obvious that the younglings would be looking for the petite girl to appear. The way they grouped around her and the way that she had their gazes while he played his music…it was an enchanting sight.
It was his attention that had allowed Nadiya to realize what she was doing.
“Do you enjoy my music that much?” He had startled her after a performance and the girl flushed violently.
“Yes! I mean…” Nadiya lowered her gaze shyly, “I never realized how beautiful and expressive music could be before. Do I bother you?” She blinked at a sudden realization, “I never meant to take away from your performances, but the younglings love having a story to go along with it…and the notes…they just speak to me.”
“Do they now?”
Rather than being upset he was actually smiling at her! Nadiya’s heart jumped for the stranger as she nodded, “Yes they do! I mean my family always says my imagination can get the best of me even when I try to keep it under control….I focused on my studies, on knowing math and such…but this….really was touching.” She found herself rambling.
“Care to try then?”
“Try what?” She gasped as he handed her a beautiful flute. It had obviously been well used and the designs that may have once been brilliant now faded in with the wood, but it was still a gorgeous instrument, “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not? I’ve not played with that since I was just an apprentice myself. I think it’s time to find a new home for it.” Smiling he reached down to ruffle her hair, “Come visit me before I leave next week as much as you can, okay? I’ll teach you how to play.”
“Al-alright.” Speechless Nadiya watched as he had walked away.
Needless to say she made certain that she could visit every chance she had that week. -----
“I never saw him again…” Sighing Nadiya looked at where she was perched on the cliffs, “That was so long ago too. I wonder if he even realized what he did for me?” A whole new world had opened up for her and she had accepted the fact that music was her love, not trade. Fondly would she forever think of the kind minstrel who had not only lightened her heart, but also gave her a flute and a taste of true music.
(1104)
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:08 pm
Solo 4
Shadows of the Past
While Ahren was home, Nadiya felt like she walked on needles around her family. Every step had to be just so else her brother would suspect her of odd behavior. It was a risk that she couldn’t afford. Of course he would be the one to notice that she seemed even more distant than before. It was hard to try to fake her excitement at his news of trades and accounting. Truly the thought of being a tradesman just made her cringe.
It wasn’t what she wanted anymore.
I’m not the same child anymore!
Such thoughts had erupted from her mouth just a mere moment ago. It was true she had to walk carefully around Ahren, but he had managed to finally catch her. Standing on the sandy beach that she had deemed a sanctuary for her practice, Nadiya now faced her father and older brother, “Is it really such a crime to enjoy music?” She argued, but her heart was in knots of dread. This wasn’t going to be good for her. The expressions on both of their faces had confirmed that.
“In our family?” Her father cast a stern gaze towards her, “Very much so, yes.”
“I don’t understand!” Nadiya’s voice softened as she lowered her gaze, “Why? It’s something that I truly enjoy…it’s my life dream now. Can’t you accept that?” Even staring at the sands she could feel her father’s judgement and disappointment.
“Nadiya…”
“You have Ahren to continue the business. Isn’t that enough?” She also had her younger siblings, Yira was now old enough to take care of the triplets as well. Yira enjoyed being an artisan, Nadiya knew she had no qualms about becoming a crafter as well. So why did they care if she tried something different?
“It’s not about the family business. There’s much more to it than that.” Her father sighed before tucking away the flute that he had managed to free from her hands, “One day you’ll understand. For now I’m going to send you with Ahren.”
“Wait, what?” Nadiya blinked in surprise, “Why send me with Ahren now?” Her gaze was brimming with tears. Why now? Once, long ago, she had desperately wanted to go on a trade route with her brother yet her family had said no. So why the sudden change of heart?
“You need something to get your head out of these clouds.” Her father replied sharply, “Ahren can teach you more about the trade and keep a better eye on you. These foolish dreams have to stop. My daughter won’t be a wandering minstrel! That life is not meant for you, don’t you see?”
“No…no I don’t.” However, Nadiya’s voice was soft as she followed the pair back towards home. Even if no one told her siblings or her mother what had happened, the air in the home was far different from usual. Everything felt so tense, so quiet. Perhaps that was because she was lacking the music that she normally hid away to enjoy. As Nadiya trudged through the next two days of preparation she felt hollow, empty.
Was it really this easy? To just leave with Ahren and let her father keep her precious flute? What more can I do? She had thought of so many scenarios now, after all her prime ability was to dream, but Nadiya could settle on no other option. Her family still mattered to her and with her father holding her flute hostage until their return…it wasn’t like she could afford to be bold. That flute was so precious to her, it was the only thing she had ever played music with. Her first instrument….was it truly gone to the waves? The thought brought more tears to her eyes.
Nadiya just brushed them away. She refused to let Ahren see her cry! This was all his fault for butting in like he had! If he hadn’t been around to see her play then her father would have never found out and she could still be back in Matori playing her music. He probably enjoyed her misery. Such thoughts persisted as she followed the caravan out of Matori and through Tendaji. Days of travel, days of listening to debates and lectures about profits and trade, wore the girl down.
“Didn’t you want to travel?” The question took her by surprise one day and she found herself raising an eyebrow at her older brother. Really?
“What you care or something?” Nadiya replied sharply before sighing, “Not like this, Ahren. I wanted to feel free when I traveled not trapped.”
Her brother just pursed his lips as they moved on in silence. It was only a little later, after a break for their beasts and riders that he turned to glance at her once more. “You know there’s more than what father tells you.”
Sighing Nadiya set down her bowl to look at her brother, “What? There’s something other than seeing music as a fool’s lazy dream? That taking up an art in such a fashion could only result in making me a wandering beggar compared to the glory of our trade empire?” Even if she seemed docile around her parents, Nadiya held plenty of spunk against her older brother. They had been so close growing up, but because of competition for trade the two had split as rivals. If only Nadiya had known that no matter what she had proved to her father that in the end it would be Ahren…Ahren the reliable one, the one who had his feet on the ground instead of his mind in the skies.
“It’s mother.”
“What do you mean?” Nadiya frowned, “I know she hates the thought of never working since she’s afraid we’ll lose our place in the world. But surely that can’t be enough of a reason for papa to act so fierce.” It was true that the slave years had heavily inflicted their mother with nightmares, but Nadiya had never seen anything beyond that. She was free now, what did any minstrel have to do with that?
“There’s more to her story. We had an aunt you know.” Ahren sighed as he leaned back to glance towards the sky, “Mom’s twin, actually. She loved music so much that she wanted to play all day rather than work in Oba. At first she was rebuked for it, but one day their masters saw what she could do. Mother was jealous at first of her sister’s ability, but then that ability bred bad things. Our aunt drew too much attention with her abilities and that led to her downfall. An Oban wanted her and cherished her, but she was disgusted by him….yet he was the one who had money. He eventually bought her from mother’s master as well. All because of her talent, her gift for music. So many had wanted her, but that wealthy Oban won.”
Nadiya felt her heart go still, “What happened?”
“Only rumors can tell the rest. Mother waited day and night to hear from her twin, but the rest lies in tales. Apparently after months of abuse under the Oban, our aunt tried to flee with a lover.”
“And?” Surely, her aunt had found a way out right? The best tale could be that she fled with her lover and they made it somewhere safe…but Nadiya knew better. That expression on her brother’s face did not foretell a happy ever after.
“They were caught.” Ahren smiled wearily, “Just keep that in mind, Nadiya. Father’s trying to keep mother away from that traumatic experience again. You look so much like her as well…he’s afraid it’ll trigger more panic in mother. She just got well, understand?”
“I….” Nadiya’s gaze lowered towards the ground in shame, “I didn’t know.”
“Well now you do.” Ahren sighed before he glanced towards his sister, “Don’t think I want you to suffer either, Diya. It’s just I’m worried for mother.”
“I understand.”
Ahren patted her shoulder, “Let’s just take this trip and try to enjoy, alright? Jauhar is a fun place to see and I truly hope you enjoy all the sights.”
“Alright.” Still as they packed up and traveled on, Nadiya’s heart was heavy. Her mother had such a devastating story about music so how could she pursue such a thing? But at the same time music was a part of her soul, so how could she not?
What a delima indeed…
(1399)
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:18 am
Class Quest Solo Sacrificing for the Melodies of her Soul
In this Nadiya must decide between giving up the comfortable family life she has always known in order to pursue her passion, music. Her decision changes her life as she must face the past that traumatized her mother and decide that for her the risk of learning music is well worth it, even if it means she may never be the same with her family again. This separation from her family also comes at the same time when she finally understands and loves her brother again, another irony of life.
Jauhar had been a lovely place indeed.
Smiling, Nadiya peered at the small silver bell that she kept close. Perhaps it was a bit childish of her, but the girl truly had enjoyed meeting Mnyiri and such a gift was precious in her eyes. When she felt like she was alone during their travels, Nadiya would shake the little bell or even toss it in the air to listen to its chime. It was such a sweet and pleasant noise and in her heart she could almost hear the melody of her own flute again.
Oh how she missed playing music during these weeks of travel.
Still, having found out about her mother’s past put a pause on such longings. What am I to do? She had hoped to convince her parents that music wasn’t a folly by somehow making profit from it, but now knowing that it was more of a trauma than a dislike…that changed everything. Nadiya suddenly found herself helping her brother more and more as they traveled. It was almost as if she was haunted by guilt. What would her selfish actions have done? Her gaze downcast Nadiya just shuffled along with life for the time being.
As they neared Oba, Nadiya found her brother acting strangely. “Ahren, what’s wrong?” The girl finally asked as she helped him to arrange their supplies that night.
“I’ve just been thinking.” Her older brother offered her a weary smile and it was like something just clicked in her mind. How much had Ahren been suffering this whole while himself? Doing all this work to try and please their father when he had to compete with someone like her? Traveling with him these past weeks had truly opened her mind to that. It wasn’t that he was conceited or vain, no he was far from it.
“I’m sorry.” Nadiya found herself gushing, “I never meant to give you a hard time while we were growing up! I really just wanted to please mama and papa as well….and I had a natural talent for numbers while you used to struggle so…”
“That came out of nowhere.” Ahren raised an eyebrow as he glanced towards his little sister, “Are you really, Diya?”
“Stop it.” Flushing Nadiya pout at him, “It’s just traveling with you opened my eyes to a lot of things. Before, when you didn’t want me to travel with you that time long ago…why was that?”
“I didn’t want you to get caught up in this so early.” Ahren shrugged, “I never meant to estrange you from my life, but I didn’t want you to lose your childhood either. What, did you think I was afraid you would out do me?”
His sudden teasing brought an even worse flush to her features, “No, not at all!”
“Liar.”
“Okay, maybe just a little bit. This whole time I thought you were jealous of me and wanted to keep me away from the business so I wouldn’t outshine you…at least that was my selfish thought.” Nadiya lowered her gaze, “If I didn’t come up with some way to be angry at you then I would have been so sad since I missed you so much.”
“Diya…” Ahren just shook his head, “You’re a very silly child at times, I hope you know.”
“Thanks.” Nadiya replied sarcastically as she handed him another bundle of materials, “I suppose I do get too creative with stories after all.”
“But that’s why I love you.” Ahren chuckled, “Don’t change that little sister, please.”
“Even if it’s considered useless?”
“Not by me.” Ahren raised an eyebrow as he glanced towards his sister, “I may lose myself in debating with father, but I never intended for you to feel scorned. I’ve heard you play before, I enjoy your music and your stories are always fascinating.”
“Wait…you’ve heard me play before?”
“Every time I was home these past few visits.”
“Then why suddenly tell on me to papa?”
Ahren blinked with a frown, “You think I did it?”
Nadiya nearly dropped a bundle, “You didn’t?”
“No!” Ahren shook his head, “I was there trying to distract father, but he had already heard the music and then to see you with that flute…he pieced it together.”
“So all this time, you tried to protect my secret?” Nadiya had to sit down for shock. She had believed all of these horrible things about her brother! I’m such a horrible person. Tears gleamed in her eyes as she looked towards him, “I’m so, so sorry.”
“I should apologize. I knew what father’s reaction towards you would have been and I never tried to explain things to you until it was too late.”
“Right.” Nadiya’s gaze lowered at the reminder. What could she do about her mother’s past? So many things were confusing now. Ahren suddenly was on her side as a protective brother again while her father didn’t hate her, he just worried for their mother…so many things were complicated! “What a mess.”
“I know right?” Sighing Ahren rustled something out of a package in the back of their wagon, “Look. I convinced father to let you come with me, but there was more to it than learning the trade.”
“What do you mean?” Nadiya’s gaze widened as she recognized a shape in her brother’s hands, “My flute!” Reaching out she hesitated before taking her beloved instrument back, “What does this mean?”
“I want you to be happy.” Ahren smiled, a bittersweet expression. “I had hoped that you would find joy in trading again while we traveled but day after day you just appeared drained instead. If I had known this would have happened, I wonder if I was a fool by rejecting your request those years ago. You could have been a great trading partner, Diya. You are right I did struggle to keep up with your natural talent as a tradesman. In a way you inspired me to change and to do my best. Now I want you to feel inspired again. If music is what truly drives you then who am I to keep you back?”
“But mother…” Nadiya trailed off as her heart knotted in her chest once more, “There’s no way I can let her go into shock again.” She had seen it once, the figure of her mother thrashing against invisible chains and misery. Days later her mother just laid in bed, fatigued and dead to the world. It had taken a couple of weeks before she seemed better again. Ever since she had been so fearful for her mother’s health.
“Then you can’t come home.” Ahren sighed, “That’s the bargain. I can grant you your freedom by letting you out here with some coin and clothing, but I can’t take you home with me. Travel with us for a bit if you want, but you can’t openly confess you’re training to be a minstrel to mother.”
“So…I can’t go home?” Dilemma shone in the girl’s gaze, “Who will help take care of things at home? The triplets…”
“Yira already promised to. She wants to learn how to craft so that she can help at home as well. You do realize she’s not a youngling anymore as well.”
“Yira…she knows?” Nadiya almost wanted to cry at the thought. Her dear younger sister, the kindest soul she knew, was sacrificing so much for her. Could she be so selfish?
“Yes, and she wanted to enforce that you better not try any selfless acts again.” Ahren placed a firm hand on his sister’s shoulder, “I won’t force you in either direction, Nadiya. Still don’t think that being selfish will be so easy. You are making a huge sacrifice and should you even come home again you will be walking around with a mask, understand? I want you to shine, to become who you truly are. Yet I don’t want you to become lonely without us nearby.”
“I know.” Nadiya’s gaze brimmed with tears, “I don’t know what to do Ahren!”
“I’ll give you some time to think on it, but you must decide before we go to Oba. If I let you come home with me then father will truly try to tie you to the markets.”
To go against her family? Even if Ahren and Yira supported her there were still the triplets and her parents…could she leave them all behind? Was music truly so important to her? Yet as she remembered the past weeks alone without music the girl wanted to cry. As heartbroken as it was that she may not see her family as often anymore the sacrifice would be worth it. One day she would return home and shine for who she truly was as well, “In the far future when I’ve perfected a melody I will prove to mama that everything will be alright. Music won’t harm me as it did her twin.” Those were her parting words as she cut her hair, changed her clothes, then left behind her brother and her past on the open road.
It was a risky gamble, but a risk she was willing to take.
Sure the outside world may loom above her threateningly, but wasn’t that part of the adventure? She would bet back this curse of music that her mother believed to be so strong in her family as well. I’m not my aunt, I won’t be destroyed by the music I love! Times were different and it was an era of change, of new beginnings. And Nadiya was eager to embrace it, her destiny. (1550)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Offline
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 7:09 pm
Stage 2 - Solo 1
She was running as quickly as she could through the beaches of Matori.
“Ahren! Ahren!”
Her breath came in raspy gulps as she stumbled through the wet sands. Everything seemed so heavy and dense almost as if she were stuck in a swamp. Even the ocean waves seemed to have a lull as she struggled against the thick air. Was she even moving through this dense morning mist? Was it even morning? Nadiya couldn’t tell – all she knew was that her struggle seemed to be in vain.
Who was she even chasing again? Nadiya frowned a crease forming in the center of her forehead. Ahren? Wasn’t that the name of her brother? Her brother! That was right…she had a brother and she was chasing him. But why? Why was she chasing him again? She was so confused…and then her mother appeared in the mist, crying. Mother? Why are you here and what’s wrong? The words wouldn’t come out of her mouth – they just got stuck in her throat.
Then the crushing weight just seemed to bear down on her. Falling to her knees the girl watched as the sands came up and surrounded her. Like the open mouth of a beast the wall of sand just opened up and swallowed her whole. Then she was falling and falling…
She couldn’t breathe! The sands were filling her lungs and her throat was burning as the shards went down into her chest. “Ack!” Gasping Nadiya found her eyes opening in terror. Oh! “Wait…” Calming her breaths the girl looked around the small shelter she had fallen asleep in. Her heart was still thumping in her chest even as she began to recognize her surroundings. This was far from the beaches of Matori, but rather was the grassy area of Sauti. She was safe here and far from drowning in a pit of endless sands. Everything is okay…it’s alright, Nadiya.
Still, she felt sweaty and jittery. “Nightmares are not my friend. Let’s not start having them, okay?” Shaking her head the girl ran her hands through her hair, fluffing out the wavy strands. It was okay, everything was okay. She just had to breathe. It was so strange that she had such a drastic nightmare even when away from Matori. So far her travels had gone smoothly without many haunting dreams of her mother and her lost home, but lately homesickness had really gotten to her. Was it the guilt of not approaching her mother about her chosen path?
Probably.
Sighing, Nadiya stood and shoved her belongings into the satchel sitting on the ground nearby. Bedding was first followed by the rough home knitted pillow that the girl had kept for herself as well. Then came some clothing and a few instruments she had picked up from here and there…on top was the scarce remnants of food she had gathered as well. Surely it would be time for a tavern trip soon. Not that she minded – if she could remember half of the nights she spent out that was. The thought was enough for a small laugh.
When had she become such a drinker? She had always been a bit of a glutton – being raised in a big family had taught her to eat fast and to take your fill – but drinking was new. Even then a few ales here and there weren’t enough to get her completely off her rocker. The thought was enough for a bitter grin. “Congratulations you can hold your alcohol. That’s a great thing to be able to show your family when you do finally return home!”
In the dream she had chased Ahren. Was it because she was stressed out over finding her brother again? He had told her his general trade path, but the girl had always seemed to miss him. A few days behind here a month behind there and sometimes even only a day behind him in other towns. She truly didn’t have the best of luck when it came to tracking. It definitely was a good thing that she wasn’t a hunter. Even wandering came more naturally to her simply because she was just good at getting lost. She felt so lost without her older brother. Before they had always fought but now that she knew he still truly loved her the girl felt mixed emotions. Could she trust him again? Even then was it worth trusting him again when they were always going to be separated like this?
No more family gatherings…no more chasing the triplets around the house…no more helping her mother prepare a meal or craft an item. It was all gone. Her memories an open book before her were just shattering into pieces. Nothing was the same and probably never would be again. But why? Why did she have to be punished for loving music? It wasn’t like being a bard was such a sin. I didn’t ask for my mother’s sister to cause such a traumatic experience! Not like it was even her lost aunt’s fault.
“Who am I to blame anyone?” Nadiya reached out a hand and opened her fingers as if looking into her palm for the answers, “I made my decision. Ahren warned me so I can’t falter now. I wanted the life of a musician….” It wasn’t like it was the end things. Eventually something had to give. For now she just had to enjoy the adventure and not worry. One day she would find a way to come back home and confront her mother.
Perhaps even the first step was to travel and to find out more. Not just about different music, but also about her lost aunt. What if she was still alive? Couldn’t that be a possibility? If she could just find a trail and give her mother closure then maybe even her mother could enjoy music again! The thought was a silent plea. It would be such a happy feeling to be able to share the music she loved with her dear mother. Nadiya smiled at the thought, “Well here’s hoping.”
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