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 Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2020 6:59 pm
Evenings this far North carried a subtle air of mystery about them. While Zakia was used to hearing the cries of a radaku pack in the night she'd never get used to winds that carried the howls of raptrix straight to the stars. Under normal circumstances she and her mother would have been in Jauhar long before now, but Mnyiri had wanted to stick around just long enough for the harvest festivals. So, they'd had a few of their favorites from Jauhar shipped in to the sanctuary and that had included a few particular pieces of fruit.
One of which Zakia was happily munching on. It was sweet and small, compared to her hands anyway. Just enough for a few bites and an absolute favorite among the alkidike. Wrapped in a big, thick robe Zakia curled up next to the windowsill and looked out over the darkened landscape, happily relaxing now that the day was coming to an end. It was nice to have a little snack from home to tide her over, and thinking on other things just made her grin.
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Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:00 am
He was annoyed. Actually annoyed wasn't even a strong enough word to fathom the rising tide of feelings that made Azreal's pale cheeks so flushed today. This summer had been too calm, not enough insulting quips, and so while Azreal should haven seen the prank coming his guard had been down. He was a fool and he was paying the price for it. The smaller fruit left for him had been sweet but the red irritations along his arms were not pleasant at all. The teen had wrapped his arms in bandages and wore a long tunic to try and hide most of the damage, thankful that the rash mostly showed there and along the sides of his neck. Azreal hadn't even asked his aunt for any medicines, hoping that whatever ointment he found in their storage for irritated skin would be good enough, and he had swiftly taken action of his own to try and find something for him to do to return the favor to Zakia. She had been the one to bring in the ridiculous fruits and Azreal knew just knew that she was not ignorant of the reaction to the fruits.
A small bag was clutched in his fingers in defiance as he strode through the manor and finally located the culprit. "Enjoying your evening?" Azreal called out, leaning against the doorway with a brow raised. It was tempting to just throw something at Zakia's stupid, bug face but he did his best to maintain some form of poise instead. He refused to let her see how ruffled his feathers were tonight but at the same time he didn't want to just hide in his room. Surely she would enjoy the idea of him cowering in some dark corner in misery, too ashamed to face the world because he had once again made the mistake of trusting her.
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Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:45 pm
[2/7]
Looking out over the landscape, Zakia couldn't help flashing a very feline grin as she slowly turned towards Azreal. "I think it's really peaceful, don't you? If not a little chilly." She rubbed her hand up her arm with a mocking shiver as if that were the only reason he would be wearing all those layers.
Reaching over to the basket by her feet the alkidike plucked up another little fruit and turned it around her fingers. "Did you like the fikili fruit? It's my favorite~" The teen raised it up to the light just enough to make the round little fruit blatantly obvious, as if he wouldn't have been able to see it before, and took a bite.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:53 pm
Oh so most definitely knew what she did! They may as well open their doors to the mischievous spirits of the mountains whenever they allowed Zakia to stay here. Honestly they would probably not even feel comfortable in her sadistic presence! How much did she know about the fikili fruit and what it did to earthlings? What if his reaction had been more severe? To think I was dumb enough to trust her. Even if she had grown older and looked prettier it didn't mean anything! Azreal's jaw clenched ever so slightly before he forced a smile to cover up the frustration boiling inside of his chest.
A thought inched forward towards the back of his mind and Azreal tucked the small bag away from sight and brought forward a smaller box instead from the sash around his waist. "It was a bit too sweet for my liking." He replied casually before moving forward to plop down against the Alkidike hybrid by the windowsill. "I prefer truffles such as these." Azreal opened the box and revealed about eight little chocolate balls before putting one in his own mouth and chewing slightly. The dark cacao was just right, a testament to his photographic memory that recalled every single truffle and which ones may have a slightly different flavor from the rest. "Would you care for one?" He asked after swallowing the piece, his fingers selecting one to hold up towards Zakia. It was one of his cousin's specialties, just with Azrela's personal addition - a bit of the hottest pepper that Oba had to offer powdered in the center of the piece. A slow burning spice that would take perhaps even minute before registering on one's tongue.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:02 pm
[3/7]
"Oh? That's too bad." He just looked so pleased to be there that Zakia wanted to laugh, but she couldn't kill her grin if she tried. As soon as she'd found out how the fikili fruit effected earthlings she'd gone out that day to find some so to see it in full force...Today really was a good day!
Turning a little, she looked down at Azreal and his box of goodies. Naturally she was suspicious. "Why would I take anything from you? For all I know that's not cacao at all, but something you picked up from the stable." Of course, that would mean he was eating it too and she just let that hang in the air with a quirked brow. Admittedly they didn't smell terrible; if anything they smelled wonderful and her eyes couldn't help darting over to the offered treat.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:17 pm
"A learning experience indeed." Responded Azreal wryly as he refused to try and show any sign of defeat. It was true though that he had learned multiple things from enjoying the fruit and he was resolved to keep the lessons in mind. Was her mouth quirking upwards a little bit there? Surely it was hard for her to not laugh considering her success in bothering him today. Azreal resisted the urge to scoff as he pretended to drop the truffle in surprise back into the box by another almost identical looking one. "Why would you think such a thing, Zakia? Is that something friends would do to one another?" He replied smoothly with a brow raised as if in shock. "I guess I can just enjoy a few more on my own then." He shrugged lightly before picking another one out of the box as if randomly and then popping it into his own mouth.
"Zyphire is really good at making treats. I should ask him so that I can learn the recipe for these as well." Azreal mused quietly as he enjoyed the chocolate. "You could probably learn too if you wanted something else to eat in Jahaur other than fruits and....whatever else your lovely jungles have to offer." As he spoke Azreal leaned back a bit so that he could press his back against the wall, his free arm discreetly touching against the cool stones to try and ease more of the itching sensation that was slowly starting to nag at him once again.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:27 pm
[4/7]
"You're a lot of things Azreal, but you're no actor. I've seen better performances from Midnight when he's trying to steal snacks." She'd seen the raptrix clearly fake a limp just to earn a little extra attention, even though he was clearly walking on it not two minutes before. There was something wrong with those truffles and she was keen not to touch them....for the most part.
After all, just because he was eating them didn't mean they were safe for her, just like the fruit.
"Wait, Zyphire made these?" If Azreal didn't make them then that meant they were probably safe. She didn't really trust the shifter either, but he hadn't been around her long enough to grow spiteful so maybe they were okay..."Fine, if you didn't make them I'm sure they'll be good." Zakia held her hand out apprehensively. She was still a little wary, but the temptation was killing her.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:16 pm
"Good thing I'm not into acting." Azreal replied in protest though his smile faltered for a split second there. What did she know about acting? Well then again she had clearly pulled some wool over his eyes before so he supposed she would know a lot about acting. At least he had his backup plan for selling the treats and Azreal found himself slowly nodding as she asked about Zyphire. "Do you think I'm good enough in the kitchen to make anything? I much prefer my books thank you very much." Admittedly he was perhaps interested in taking a few classes from Zyphire but Zakia didn't need to know that. It was during such a lesson that he had managed to sneak in the chili powder in the first place. Still, he was smart enough to offer her a normal piece and leave the others untouched for now.
"Here try it." Azreal held the treat up and almost placed it in her hand before hesitating, a smirk crossing his lips as he instead held the treat up towards her mouth. "The stickiness of your fruits may ruin the flavor if you touch it so here." He was almost taunting her like she was a child and enjoying every moment of it as he held the treat to her lips, any other thoughts about the situation potentially looked completely over his head.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:58 pm
[5/7]
You just answered your own question. Zakia mentally groused. He was too busy pilfering through musty books to be of any use in the kitchen and with how spiteful he could be....Well, Zakia knew he would just as soon poison her as he would made a decent meal. Thoroughly cook meat? Nah, let her eat it raw and expel her guts later.
After a brief hesitation, the alkidike sighed and leaned forward to bite it out of his hand. The act itself caused her cheeks to flush and she hurriedly pulled away, almost unconsciously chewing on her treat. He's such a jerk. What was with that taunting anyway? And what was with this snack? It was sweet, but there was something else too it that she wasn't familiar with. "What's this made out of?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:28 pm
Why was she suddenly flushed? Was she sick? Azreal's gaze narrowed before he let out a soft huff at his own worry. Why should he even care? The teen popped another truffle in his own mouth before answering Zakia's question. "They're a dark chocolate with sugar and some spices from Oba. Good, right?" He gestured towards the box. "You can have a few more. I can't eat all of this on my own after all." Of course most of the remaining ones had the pepper flakes that would slowly start to truly burn after a bit.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:36 pm
[6/7]
Well, she wasn't itching yet and the taste wasn't necessarily bad...So, Zakia gave it and took another truffle. "I guess I should say sorry about the fruit." Leaning back, she pulled one leg underneath her and crossed it, effectively causing most of it to be hidden by her robe. The other hung over the edge of the window seat. "It was really funny at first, but now I feel...bad..." Zakia coughed and put a hand to her throat. "Thats...the spice is from Oba?" It wasn't intolerable at all, but maybe it was the fact she'd had two that it was starting to get stronger. Maybe she should have a glass of milk?
Either way it seemed to 'calm' a bit so she took another truffle.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:03 pm
Azreal's brow almost shot off of his face at the sudden apology. Really? He groaned silently as he eyed the box of truffles. "I suppose that I should accept your apology....since you actually brought it up." He managed with a cough before suddenly standing. "I can go grab some drinks." He didn't feel quite so vengeful now that he had received an apology strangely enough. A small almost sheepish smile crossed his lips as he scratched at the back of his neck. "The spice from Oba can have quite the kick for some. If it's too much then you can stop eating. I'll bring over some more sweets from the kitchen....maybe hot cocoa?" Dammit, was he really the weaker one when it came to these games? It just didn't seem fair that she would apologize now!
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:22 pm
[7/7]
"Oh? Thanks." That was...really nice of him and for some reason it kind of took her off her guard. It just seemed kind of odd to have a nice evening with Azreal instead of the constant banter and pranks. At the mention of cocoa her face turned from speculative to sweet and smiling. "With a little extra milk? To make it really sweet?"
Even as she talked the air hitting her throat made her cough again and a hand went up to her throat. That was...oh no, that was a strong kick. It was enough to make her wheeze and when Zakia exhaled she started to lose feeling in her lips. She kept trying to swallow, but every attempt just seemed to fan the flames and eventually she turned from making uncomfortable grunts to outright hisses. "Ah-ah! Water! I need water!" Her throat was absolutely on FIRE at the point and all at once Zakia jumped up from her seat into a flat out run for that kitchen.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:37 pm
[7/7]
"Can do." Azreal replied with a small smile before turning towards the doorway. He knew that he probably should act fast before....well before that happened. "Don't drink water and just grab some milk!" He called out after Zakia with a chuckle. Okay so perhaps it was a bit fun still to mess with her despite the apology. Azreal would just make certain to make the best hot cocoa possible for Zakia once he got the kitchen as well. If anything perhaps he should hurry before she grabbed water instead of milk? That would definitely make things worse....welp. Biting his lips to try to hide the growing grin, Azreal bolted down the hallway after Zakia so that he could help her out and make some good apology hot cocoa. And maybe just maybe they could actually enjoy the rest of the evening together on the back terrace or something....as strange as that thought was.
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