Prompt For years, the children of Aisha suffered with a shadow of failure. Their once-sisters turned extremist fled after stealing a sacred seed from their mother tree. It was a betrayal that shamed them, even moreso when they learned that the seed had been planted, cultivated, and bloomed a new race of Aishans.
The idea never had occurred to extend the reach of Aisha, the potential of extending her embrace unbelievable until now. As the Elaria tribe grew in the south, the Alkidikes sought guidance from their matrons and mystics, praying for another seed that they could use to their advantage. It didn't take long until Aisha answered their prayers.
Sending their strongest and swiftest to protect the seed, the Alkidike sisterhood set their eyes toward Belrea. They knew of an island near the north, uninhabited and ideal to plant a seed and test their luck. And so, they sowed their future, and a new tree began to grow.
Use this prompt to discuss your character's hopes around this seed, this tree. Maybe they are on Chibale, waiting for news. Or maybe your character joined her sisters as a protector of this growing tree. Do you expect a similar result like the Extremists...or do you expect more?
Vermina sat near the shore as she liked to do, a stack of clothes piled up next to her. A small pair of pants laid on her lap while she threaded a needle carefully above. Glancing at the pile, she sighed softly and let her gaze look out toward the sea. So much had happened as of late. Her sisters were capable and strong, but now a few had gone so far away in the hopes of reaching more of the world. It was such a daunting thought. She wasn't even fond of going over to Jauhar, and here her sisters were crossing lands and oceans for a different home!
Occasionally, she wondered if she should have gone as well. The thought of leaving Chibale for such a distant land though! Oh, it gave her the shivers! Besides, she knew she lacked the right kind of strength for such a trip. The elders would probably have told her to remain even if she had tried to apply for the trip. She liked being home to receive mother Aisha's care and give her care in return anyway. After all, the seedling planted on the new land was Aisha's daughter. It would be similar, but not the same. Much like those horrible Elarians on Yeal... What sort of Alkidike would blossom from this daughter's branches? Surly the purer intentions of her sisters would bring about a more compatible cousin...
Sabra Knight
Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 8:07 pm
Cornetified
In the last couple of years it had been hard for Danika to have a moment for herself. Thankfully since the Dretch had been defeated, Danika found that it was becoming easier to breathe. If anything she was delighted to be busy during this time because it meant that there were more and more Sisters receiving blessings from Aisha. So many blooms had been given to their excited mothers and the occasional father in the last year. The mystic was more than delighted with showing her Sisters to their bloom, the matching auras clear as day.
Now that the world was peaceful again and no wars loomed over the horizon, Danika and the Elders had taken to discussing new ideas. The young mystic was delighted that they had listened to her pleas and she had eagerly agreed to the new idea of planting one of Aisha's own seeds in one of the new lands. An island to the north of Belrea that she had heard about from another Sister....who knew what would happen there? A small hopeful smile crossed her delicate features as she walked along the Chibale shores. I hope that I can see them when the time comes. For now it was too dangerous, only the strongest warriors had crossed the seas to guard the new sapling on the island, and it would be some time before anything blossomed from Aisha's sister for certain. If the Extremists could have their Elarian children then Danika was hopeful that they could have new cousins who were more attune to Aisha and the desire to be guardians and not conquerors of the world.
We shall see exactly what this new tree will produce. May Aisha protect it. Danika ventured a bit away from the shores so that she could walk in the shallow waters that kissed the land before returning to the sea. Today she had already shown a couple their blessing and now that the ceremony was over, the mystic had on a simple two piece, cream colored garment with her dreads flowing freely behind her in the gentle breeze. She hadn't expected anyone else to be along this particular stretch of shoreline today but when she stumbled upon another Sister with a pile of clothing, Danika found herself pausing. The other Alkidike looked familiar, someone that Danika had personally interacted with before, and a light flush decorated her cheeks as she recalled getting caught in the rains. It seemed like forever ago, the young playful mystic who had danced in the rains later forced to mature into the Alkidike that she was today, but she was not unhappy to see the familiar face, "Vermina, right?" Danika called out sweetly with a small smile, "How are you on this lovely day?" As she called out her question, Danika walked quietly through the shallow waters so that she could get closer to Vermina.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 9:01 pm
Head lifting at the familiar voice, Vermina straightened instinctively. She wasn't in the most presentable state! "Yes, I am." Of course, there was almost no need for her to remind herself who it was approaching. Everyone knew the young mystic. "I am doing well. Just refreshing some clothing for the younglings." She set the pants aside and stretched her hands out. "How are you feeling, Danika? Is there something I may help you with?"
Sabra Knight
Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 5:23 pm
Cornetified
"Ah, I did remember correctly then." Danika's expression softened as she noticed her Sister's reaction to her presence. When she was younger she would have been more tempted to make a deal of it, telling others to relax and just treat her like any other Alkidike, but at this point in her life she simply accepted that sometimes it would take a while for others to be more relaxed with her nearby. Eventually. For now Danika simply overlooked the change and tried her best to engage in a pleasant conversation, "I'm glad to hear it. It's nice to see someone helping like this. There's so many younglings running about lately that I'm certain they need all the help that they can get."
Maybe one day even she would know what it would be like to see a youngling running about and into her arms. The thought made Danika hesitate before she continued wading through the waters so that she could take a closer look at what Vermina was doing, "How am I feeling?" The mystic blinked in surprise at the question before smiling, "I'm feeling alright, I suppose." Most expected her to keep her emotions in check so it was rare to even have anyone question how she was feeling. It was such a simple and yet pure question that Danika found herself drifting closer towards the other Alkidike.
"Honestly, if there's anything I can do to help you...that would be nice." She gestured towards the clothing sheepishly, "My mind has been occupied as of late with thoughts about the new tree so keeping my hands occupied may help. Would that be okay?"
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Cornetified
Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 2:14 pm
Mina's cheeks warmed slightly with the praise. Nothing pleased her more than making others happy. "Yes, there are quite a few of them. It is wonderful to see." Would she ever be fixing the clothes of her own youngling? Now wasn't the time for that..
The offer to help made her smile brightly. From what she knew of her short interactions with the mystic, Danika had always desired to do more outside of the mystic restrictions. There were plenty of those. "I would certainly appreciate the help," she assured, gesturing to the pile openly. "I'll admit, the tree has been on my mind as well. I'm sure it had been on the minds of everyone." Settling back down, she plucked up the pants she had been about to work on. "If I may, I am finding myself quite hopeful for the new blossoms Aisha's seeds will produce. What do you think?"
Sabra Knight
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 5:43 pm
Cornetified
"Oh good." Danika smiled warmly, her actions more relaxed than usual, as she left the water so that she could sit down next to Vermina. The other Alkidike was always so sweet and helpful that Danika didn't feel any need to be on guard when they were alone together. Everyone else held such high expectations but here...well here she could almost imagine that she was a young Alkidike again who hadn't fully grown into her role as mystic just yet. Tucking her legs beneath her body, Danika moved her skirts out of the way and reached for a small skirt, "Yes, surely the new tree has been on everyone's minds. I know that many are praying for the safety of the Sisters who left to the new island." She admitted quietly, "I wonder how the island compares to Chibale."
Her fingers trailed over the skirt's material thoughtfully, "What do I think? I would hope that they will produce new cousins who we can share our hopes and dreams with. It would be nice to see our futures intertwine." A smile decorated her lips as she glanced towards Vermina, "Even if they turn out looking slightly different from us I wouldn't mind. I've seen plenty who look slightly different and they still can have the strength and soul of a great warrior." Some even more so than some Sisters though Danika was shy to admit to it. The Extremists still wore heavily at her heart and she could only hope that their exiled Sisters and new daughters would stay quietly away from any new battles. Fighting the Dretch had taken a toll on the world and they were finally recovering. Everything was at peace and they were building good relationships with other races....it was almost like a dream.
Honestly she wished that she could see the new tree. Perhaps one day if the Elders allowed she could visit. Wouldn't the new tree need a mystic as well to guide the Sisters who decided to stay there and start new lives? Danika couldn't help pondering over the idea, "If the tree grows up to be strong and healthy would you consider leaving Chibale to see it? I've heard some that would love to see what happens overseas while a few others are loathe to leave Chibale and don't think that this is the best of ideas."
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 8:01 pm
Vermina nodded along in agreement. She certainly had been praying for the safety of her sisters and that the new land would receive them well. It would be awful to hear they had made it all the way to Belrea only for the seed to not take. There was a lot of hope riding on that vessel. Her smile softened along the way as well. While she silently hoped they wouldn't be too different, it was illogical to think that the new seed would produce the exact same children. "I am sure there will be differences. At the least, they would not be tainted by a toxic land as those on Yeal had been." Similar with loyalty and warrior hearts, but certainly tainted and twisted by both the land and the banished mothers.
Her sewing paused, cheeks flushing bashfully. Could the mystic read her thoughts?! She felt as thought she had wondered that question before. "I.. am certainly curious," she started bashfully, "but I don't know that such a trip would be for me. I don't even like going to Jauhar..." Her head dropped slightly to put more of her focus onto the pants. "I suppose such a notion is silly, these days. The world is getting so big.." With everything expanding as it was, could she expect to be able to stay on the island? Of course, that piqued her own curiosity. "Would.. you go? I suppose the new tree would be in need of your aid." To think of Chibale without Danika's light was daunting in of itself!
Sabra Knight
Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 1:38 pm
Cornetified
"Fair enough." Danika nodded in agreement, her lips pursed ever so slightly in thought. If anything it wasn't Yael's toxicity that had tainted their young cousins, but the darkness in the hearts of their mothers. Danika's heart ached at the thought of how a whole generation had been bred for hatred against the rest of the world, "If the seed does take and produce new cousins then surely they will be raised to understand love." She commented quietly, a soft reinforcement of her defiance against the views of the Extremists and their daughters. If she had believed that even for a second the new tree would only lead to more hatred then Danika would have argued against the Sisters planting a new seed. But she was optimistic for the future and had instead supported the venture to Belrea.
Had she misspoken? Danika's gaze dropped as she noticed the reaction of the other Alkidike, "It's not silly to want to stay home." She admitted quietly, "Even I wouldn't know the first thing about what I would do if I did ever venture outside of Chibale for long. It's our home, we were born and raised here so anything outside is strange to think about." The mystic glanced towards Vermina with a small smile, "Admittedly I cannot lie and say that I am not intrigued by the idea of traveling to the new lands but my responsibilities are here. If Aisha needs me to travel in the future then I will travel, but until then I am content here in Chibale." However, Vermina was correct. Who would help with the new tree should it finally bloom?
It was definitely a thought for later. Danika smoothed the material resting in her lap before reaching over to find a needle for herself. Her fingers closed around the slender object before she watched Vermina to get an idea of what needed to be done.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 3:16 pm
The assurance brought a light smile and a nod from Mina. "Those who hated so much have taken their path. The new blossoms are sure to be surrounded with love and patience." The idea of being a role model for the new younglings the tree might produce was tempting, but again, leaving Aisha for so far away...
She was unable to help herself, gaze lifting to take in Danika's expression. She didn't think it was silly of her? "Thank you." To have the reinforcement of her discomfort actually gave her comfort in return. "Aisha did provide the seed. I doubt she would have done so if the new land was not worth going to. They will certainly need someone there. ..As much as you would be missed here, you would be able to do great things if you were chosen to lead the new blossoms."
Sabra Knight
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 9:08 pm
Cornetified
Vermina's honest words brought a small smile to Danika's lips. She was absolutely correct in her reassurance and the thought brought warmth to the Alkidike's chest. It was relieving to hear something that she often had to repeat to herself coming from another's lips, "I really should run into you more often, Vermina." She admitted quietly, "It is reassuring to hear those words from you. I'm certain that the new generation will become great warriors when they are raised with such love."
"No need to thank me." Replied Danika quickly with a slight flush. She was only speaking the truth after all. If anything she felt that she should be the one thanking Vermina for allowing her to express herself so freely. She was not allowed to show even a shred of doubt to anyone save for Eshe and even then Danika had taken to her role of leadership in such a way that she didn't dare falter in the presence of her mentor much anymore. Danika's thoughts halted as Vermina offered her the wandering question that had haunted her for days now. Would such an idea even be possible?
"You are correct. While I did question why Aisha would bless the Extremists with a tree, I will not question this new tree." Danika smiled as she threaded through the material with the needle, "Surely the new land will be a blessing for us and allow us to expand even further into this world without resorting to violence. I cannot wait to see what Aisha has in store for us with this new blessing." Vermina's words caused the young mystic to blink and glance up, "Do you truly believe so? I suppose we will see what happens when Aisha makes her calling. If it is my destiny to go then I shall go." She paused thoughtfully as she studied Vermina before finally confessing a thought, "Though I will not lie. I would truly miss Chibale and my Sisters here, especially when I can have such open talks with a select few like this."
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:11 am
The simple compliment brought a pleased heat further to Mina's cheeks. "I am enjoying the time with you," she admitted in return. It really was a treat to see the mystic in such a relaxed manner compared to how she usually had to present herself for the sake of the community.
Her lips did purse the slightest bit, remembering those nights she had spent wondering that same thing. Surely there was a purpose to giving the extremists their own seed to venture off with. Whatever the original purpose had been, it had surely been warped in the process after the gift. Cocking her head slightly, she smiled and gave a short nod. "I do." She saw no reason to doubt Danika's ability to lead the new lives about to come! "As I said, we would miss you as well. Very much." She gave an encouraging smile. "And who knows? Perhaps Aisha will send a sister with you to have these conversations with."
Sabra Knight
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:23 am
Cornetified
"Thank you." Danika replied quietly, "Though I'm sure it would be ultimately up to the Elders and Aisha more so than me." She shook her head, her dreads bouncing slightly with the motion, "I would hope so. It would be a shame to lose conversations such as these." The young mystic smiled towards Vermina, "I probably wouldn't get away with this much anywhere else." She teased lightly before holding up the material that she was working on for Vermina's inspection.
"Perhaps this is not my best skill..." A light flush decorated Danika's cheeks as she studied the slightly skewed job. It wasn't too awful she hoped, just something that a newbie would make more so than an experienced artisan. She had even pricked her finger doing their conversation, a slightest of pains more so just a light sting that she hadn't even commented on since she felt no warrior should complain about such a thing, "I suppose my true skill is helping with the blooms and fighting after all." Thank goodness her role didn't require tasks such as these. Though it was surely relaxing to do so, but maybe that was more so because she could converse with Vermina about the thoughts floating around her mind. It had felt nice to express her feelings about the new tree and the bright future which she fervently prayed for.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Precious Loiterer
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 10:58 am
Vermina cocked her head curiously. It was true that she didn't know the ins and outs of the mystic's life, but was it truly so restricted that even a small moment like this mattered? Oh, she needed to stop before she started thinking too highly of herself!
She leaned in for the inspection and smiled. "Perhaps not now, but it is like any skill. You would master it with practice." Chuckling lightly, she held up the pants in her hands. "I've been practicing this for quite some time." Her head cocked again, and she resisted the urge to reach out to touch Danika's arm. One would be hard-pressed to find an Alk who ould not fight, but the blooms... "Unlike sewing, helping with the blooms is a skill that requires a special Alkidike. You have what the rest of us could never fully learn." Regular sisters helped with the blooms, but she knew Danika's involvement was special. The new land was certain to call for a mystic sooner rather than later, and she knew her wish for the call to come for one of the elders rather than Danika was utterly selfish. Still, only time would tell.
Sabra Knight
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 12:29 pm
Cornetified
"Perhaps." Replied Danika sheepishly as she peeked towards Vermina's project, "I can tell. It's really nicely done." She admitted as she reached out and ran a finger lightly over the neatly sewn material. She doubted that even if she had practiced more that she could get such stitches in her work. Rather than being jealous or upset at her own poor attempt, Danika was proud to see that Vermina had such skill. It was nice to be able to learn more about her Sisters and their skills.
"Still, I believe we all have our own special skills and are important to one another." Replied Danika with a small smile, "I am just glad that I can be useful for everyone. Seeing a new bloom with their mother is almost an indescribable feeling. It makes me almost wish that one day I could experience the same for myself." She admitted softly, "So I am all the more eager to see if our new tree will be able to grow our family even more. A light wind brushed through the area and caught Danika's attention. It looked like clouds were beginning to gather overhead and the sight caused a soft sigh to escape her lips, "Rain is coming soon. We should get to shelter before all of your work is ruined by the rains." As much as she enjoyed speaking with Vermina it was not as if Danika could linger here forever and even nature seemed intent on reminding her of that.
