|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:06 pm
Solo or RP Format
Counts as 5 RP growth Points
Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
There are many superstitions and beliefs in Tendaji, often originating from the culture and gods of each individual region. Wherever one goes, they might find a new routine or practice based on the region they are in. However, there seems to be one thing that all Tendaji residents believe in - the power and beauty of a meteor shower.
The rare celestial event is seen as a blessing, and this one just so happens to have appeared right when the New Year began. Oh what luck and what a great omen - this must be a sign of good fortune for the year to come.
[ How does your character react to the meteor shower that is lighting up the sky? How do they see this omen impacting their life and year to come? Explore the thoughts and experience either alone or with a friend. ]
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 4:46 pm
To say that Faisal was miffed about his sudden engagement was a bit of an understatement. It wasn't as if Sariza was a horrible choice but Faisal had always argued that he would have a say in these matters. He had tried to argue with his grandmother about it but she always managed to slip away into meetings or other events that either took her out of the manor for a day or even a week while he was forced to take on even more duties around the manor. The last argument had even been better since she had somehow managed to turn the tables on him and now here he was standing awkwardly around the higher market with a box in hand. Give it another shot, okay? You can always talk about this later once you see the poor girl a few more times.
The scholars had said that a celestial event would happen tonight and so many people had already started to prepare for the evening. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately perhaps, Faisal's grandmother had connections enough to prepare a whole venue at the topside of the city that had a good view of the horizon. Faisal was currently dragging his feet as he took it step by step towards the upper area, his gaze skimming along the edges of the buildings as he started to get a better view of the distant desert as he climbed higher. Candles flickered lazily in place as they were set along the stone steps in their colored glass orbs, the light slowly but surely becoming the only source save for that of the silvery moon and stars now rising above him. At the top of the building would be a gazebo like area with open columns facing the stars and an array of blankets and pillows would be sitting around the wooden table full of food and drinks for their evening date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:24 pm
Sariza was in a daze.
Engaged? Betrothed?! Whose life was she living? It couldn't be hers! Up until this point in her life she'd been a bystander, a militant's daughter, and someone destined to walk in his shadow. She'd never really given much thought to her personal life and even when she had it was never as a noble's wife.
If you marry him then YOU'LL be a noble. And what a joke that was. Was his grandmother senile? Surely there were better matches, much more advantageous brides...The one time she'd tried bringing it up with her father he shut her down immediately. The decision was final and going against his word was tantamount to calling his actions foolish, which she was about to do. So, Sariza simply bit back her questions, and decided to go along with it.
Once her father left out once more there wasn't much need for her to 'pretend' to be a lady anymore. As nice as it was to feel pretty it just felt wrong. So, instead, Sariza went back to her near militaristic style of dress for the evening. Going on a date also felt wrong but for...other reasons. Despite their situation she found herself nervous with little fluttering's in her stomach the further she walked. The world around her tonight was absolutely magical and her eyes couldn't help brightening at the sight.
And there, surrounded by candles under a calm starry night was her fiance...He looks very handsome tonight. Sariza's cheeks warmed, almost as if she'd said the thought out loud. "It's really lovely tonight," She said instead, her voice soft in it's shyness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:40 pm
"It is, isn't it?" Faisal replied absent mindedly without turning around. He had already plopped down on a few pillows and had his amber gaze fixated on the skies above with a goblet of wine in hand to better prepare himself for the evening. Perhaps he was being a bit cooler towards his fiancée but it truly was hard to stomach his reality. How had his mother managed to fight against this all those years ago? If she hadn't met his father then would things have turned out differently? The thought made him press his lips together tightly before he finally opted to take another drink. Either way he wasn't his mother but at the same time he didn't want to let that mean he was an easier target for his grandmother to control. Faisal was stuck here because of his duty to his family but it didn't mean that he couldn't show some unhappiness about the situation.
Still, it wasn't fair to punish someone else for their guardian's decision. The very thought made it feel like there was a heavy stone in his gut and so Faisal relented and turned slightly around so that he could actually glance at Sariza. Nothing too fancy tonight. That was fine since they could both be more comfortable that way. If anything he was surprised his grandmother hadn't tried some more tactics to force them closer together. It was strange to think that she was so eager to see him married off since Faisal knew that she was in decent enough health. So why act as if someone was about to slip away or even more so why rush a marriage? Who was she trying to protect by shoving the two of them together? Better yet was there something going on like a coup that he didn't know about? Why the military connection? Faisal took another drink to try to ease the headache that was forming at the flurry of thoughts that were crossing his mind. Eventually he would figure this out but for now he couldn't lose focus on the current moment.
"There's plenty of food and drink here." Faisal gestured for Sariza to join him as he reached over to refill his own glass and then pour another for her. "They say tonight is supposed to be especially remarkable and I hope that they aren't wrong else we may find ourselves bored soon enough." He set his goblet down and fixed his sleeves, the cream material heavier than most silks in preparation for the evening chill and ending at his wrists with delicate golden clasps. His legs were casually crossed, the darker material blending in with the evening shadows, and a plate of smaller pastries rested haphazardly across a thigh as he propped himself against a column. If anything he was more comfortable as if dealing with a friend and content upon staying so instead of making more room to be romantic with his intended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:27 pm
Was his kindness a facade? Perhaps he'd only ever really been nice to her because he could afford to be? Now that they were tied together it would make sense if Faisal started to resent her...He said that we could at least respect one another. He also said that he wanted to find a 'true love'....Feeling defeated before the night even began, Sariza sighed and pushed forward.
She was, after all, not unused to following the whims of others.
Sariza found a seat in a pillow that was both close to the hybrid and yet, somehow distanced. She was here to get to know him better, but beyond that it was clear that's where it would end. Her pale gaze took in the wine, then drifted to the cup he'd been nursing and she opened her mouth a moment before shaking her head. "One of us should keep a clear head." Is he a drunkard? Gods I hope not... Her father had raised her to believe that any man foolish enough to have more than a single glass of liquor at a time was trying to hide from something and that...didn't bode well for Faisal.
"My tutors said the same thing. They were actually fairly upset when they learned I wouldn't be around to study the stars with them, so I should thank you for getting me out of work this evening." Despite the general atmosphere Sariza found herself smiling a little and reaching for a little snack. Of course she couldn't help noticing that even the casual wardrobe he was decked in that evening looked more luxurious than her finest dress. What were they thinking, putting us together?
"So, tell me something about yourself. Do you watch the stars often? What sort of activities are you involved in?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:48 pm
Faisel pursed his lips thoughtfully. Perhaps he would have agreed if not for the stresses lately that had driven him to enjoying a bit more spirits. Thankfully it wasn't anything as hard hitting as what some of the others drank, especially his older mentors, but still Faisal found himself considering that perhaps keeping to less than a full bottle would be plenty for now. "Fair enough. Surely though something that is more juice than spirits won't completely destroy me." He found himself replying before sliding back the other goblet to pour its contents back into the bottle, his gaze focused on the task to make certain he didn't splash anything before he replaced the goblet with a simpler glass of water. The young noble had made certain that everything was here beforehand so that they didn't have to worry about the prying eyes of servants. He wasn't so overly sophisticated that he couldn't serve the two of them himself.
Faisal found himself chuckling despite his irritation. "You're most welcome. It's the least I can do considering what else you're getting into instead." Even if he wanted to ignore it there was no denying that he was engaged to the oban girl. His grandmother was resolute and Faisal was not about to run away and give up the family name. He wasn't that selfish nor was he that turned off by Sariza. It simply just wasn't fair to him or her that they had no say in the matter beforehand. Faisal shook his head slightly before realizing that he had been picking at a pastry in his hands, the tart quickly darting into his mouth when Sariza addressed a question towards him.
Swallowing quickly, an almost sheepish expression flickering briefly across his features, Faisal cleared his throat and glanced towards the stars. "I watched the stars for a time, mostly when I was studying astrology and always when I'm traveling since they're still important to navigation. When I was younger I did enjoy traveling and still do when I get the chance." Even with cartography advancing it was still nice to know that he could always rely on the northern star to point him home. Faisal tilted his head thoughtfully before slowly glancing back towards Sariza. "Other than that I suppose I caused enough mischief as a teen so now most of my activities are lessons, meetings and sword training. You mentioned your tutors but what about you? Do you have any interests?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 8:03 am
When Sariza smiled the scar that ran parallel to her left eye was nearly non existent. It crinkled and pulled up closer to the eye itself, like a line of kohl. She lifted the goblet of water gingerly and took a hearty drink.
"Will you be gone often? Should I expect notice of when you're leaving or do you travel on a whim?" Sariza's eyes shifted from the stars to the man at her side. "I'm not unused to it; others traveling, I mean. Father does it a lot so you won't find resistance with me. I just ask that you at least tell me before hand so if something should happen I can know where to go." If he wished to see other cities and countries then who was she to stop him? Were she able to continue her military career Sariza very well may have gotten out of Sulburi herself, but now that was looking like a distant dream. She could at least have her midnight rides to herself.
"You aren't the only one with a rebellious streak." Sariza felt her cheeks warming a little at the admission. "Father doesn't know as much, but I can't tell you the amount of times I snuck out growing up just to see the city on my own. I'm thankful it was just the tutors that caught me and not him." She looked up at the sky again, hoping to catch one of those stars flying across the night but so far nothing was happening. "I don't see the stars as often as I think I should; I'm usually asleep when they arrive. I wake up with the dawn for morning training, then my studies, and mounted training. I'm accomplished in a wide variety of languages and weaponry. My passion, though...is flowers. We have a little garden that everyone was so sure would fail to thrive, but it's been holding it's own."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:40 pm
Faisal was not the best at hiding his emotions and he couldn't deny the tension that straightened his shoulders whenever she asked if he would be gone often. It both reminded him of his lately nonexistent father who was constantly out on missions and also meant that she truly did seem to think that they would have a long enough future together to worry about such things. Not that I have anything against her... Faisal kept his gaze to the sky as he forced himself to reach for a glass of water in an attempt to try and appear more poised. "I suppose I would have to see what the future holds." He finally answered before taking a sip of the water that had been kept cold inside the protection of the earthen pitcher. "Right now I'm mostly occupied with my studies and helping my grandmother with the estate so I only get to travel to more local areas and perhaps further away if the need arises. I would enjoy having a few days of freedom at least to visit the beaches of Matori on the rare occasion if nothing else and should things align in such a way I wouldn't be adverse to company. Nonetheless I am not the sort to leave without notice." Faisal refused to just go and disappear in the desert for weeks or longer without warning. I won't be like him.
Faisal quirked a brow at the explanation before giving a nod. It seemed that they both had similar experiences then. If not for his twin then he would probably have been caught numerous times by his family and it was best that his parents had been so busy with the military and the estate while he was growing up. "I understand that to a degree. Thankfully my mother was often working with healers and didn't have the chance to catch and scold me for my actions. When I was younger I found that the city walls are fairly easy to climb and can grant you a lot of access to certain estates if you're quick enough to cross over without being spotted." He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders as if brushing off his childish antics. If anything it was just a result of boredom and his brother's insistence that they challenge each other to ridiculous tasks throughout the city whenever their tutors weren't looking. Still, he had to give a nod of appreciation towards Sariza. "It sounds like you are very skilled with all of those accomplishments. Perhaps that's why..." Why she was chosen? Either way the thought made him close his mouth once more and Faisal looked towards the stars as if seeking some sort of sign before quietly offering something else. "You should visit our estate at some point if you enjoy flowers. I wouldn't mind showing you around the gardens." Who would have expected her to have a passion for flowers? The thought almost brought a smile to his lips as he kept his attention on the stars while waiting for one to fall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 4:25 pm
So you will be. The fact that he didn't outright deny it gave Sariza a positive affirmation of her earlier assumptions. She took a drink of her water while thinking it all over. It wouldn't be so bad to have a husband that was gone all the time. While not overly 'romantic' it would certainly give her the time she needed to pursue personal goals, but then they also ran the risk of bastards showing up at her door...
And that made her gut drop. Was that....was that going to be her life?
"I've heard that Matori is lovely in the spring and if you ever decided to go I would only ask that you bring back some shells." She smiled faintly, refusing to allow earlier thoughts to drag her down. If he wanted those...sorts of things then she wasn't in a position to tell him no. They were engaged; nothing more.
"I'm not very good at being stealthy." She replied, almost sheepishly. "What few times I was able to escape unnoticed I took a janarim and ran it as hard as I could to the edge of the city. I figured even if they did find out they wouldn't be able to stop me if they couldn't catch me." Why had she never gone further? What had been there to stop her? Of course there were guards at the check points and a few that patrolled, but if she were smart enough she could have gotten out...So, why did she simply turn around and go home?
"You have a garden?" Sariza felt her interest perking and her eyes brightened considerably. For that moment she looked almost like any other young girl. "I'm sorry, that was stupid. All noble houses have one." At least those with influence. It was something of a point of pride with nobility to flash off exotic plants that could only grow in the harsh, Oban air with special treatment. Still, the gardens themselves were small and if he was talking about showing them to her maybe his were a little bigger?
"I would love to see it, oh, but first, I have a serious question for you. How do you feel about pets?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:03 pm
Faisal nodded. Such a simple request. It almost made him feel guilty? Would she really be content just letting him leave her alone back in Oba while he relaxed on the beaches or explored? It was such a contrast from the girl who had taken him for a thief originally that he had to glance back towards her, his gaze searching her features thoughtfully. "Why should I always bring back shells? You should probably come along so that I can get an idea of what you'd like at least once." He finally offered almost nonchalantly as he leaned back further into the pillows, his gaze focused back on the sky once more. It would be a shame to come all the way out here and not be given a star show as promised.
"A decent idea. So why stop once you reached the city's edges?" He found himself asking before clamping his mouth shut. Why bother asking? What if she didn't want to venture outside of the city? Was that why she was more inclined to just allow him to leave while she stayed behind? Even better why was he already thinking that they would be connected long enough for him to worry about such things? "I guess your janarim would probably be tired by then and ready to return." Faisal offered with a slight shrug to allow her to leave the topic alone if so desired.
His lips twitched into a small smile at the obvious excitement and Faisal found himself nodding. "Still, you'll be surprised with the amount of effort my grandmother and mother have placed into it. They adore gardens as you do." His amber gaze focused on her again and he blinked in slight surprise. "Pets? I'm fine with them as long as they aren't setting a place on fire." He answered honestly. Was she adverse to animals? If so then he would be in trouble with his own loatoa that he had managed to keep at home for the time being.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:52 pm
The offer was spoken so casually that Sariza almost thought he was joking. When it lingered, however, she sat back to think about it. "I don't see why I wouldn't be able to; we'll be married and his rules will no longer apply..." The way she said it was slow, methodical, almost as if she were just coming to the realization herself. Instead of being 'trapped' in an arranged marriage she could work this out to her advantage.
"I've never been allowed to leave Sulburi." She said it casually enough and reached for a...meat bun? It looked small, like a little puff, and she might have thought it was just a pastry but when Sariza took a bite she could definitely taste poultry. "I'm not sure why; father never answered when I asked so I stopped." She'd always just assumed it was because of bandits or ex-militants ready to take her as a hostage. It seemed a likely enough reason that she just hadn't pushed the issue.
"Good. I have a duruf that I adopted recently and he's very precious to me. He isn't the smartest creature, and he's cranky, but he is cute in an ugly sort of way."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:12 am
Faisal lowered his gaze qt the word marriage. It really seemed like this was going to be a thing, wasn't it? Yet the more time he spent with Sariza the more he felt that perhaps it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. He just hated the idea of losing his freedom to pick a wife for himself. Though it seemed like he still had more freedom than his intended, something that made him push aside his pride for the moment. "As long as it doesn't destroy my home...err I guess our home in the future I see no reason to tether anyone in place with rules." Faisal finally offered. He couldn't promise her his heart but at the same time he wasn't a cruel person.
"He's very protective then. " But for what reasons? Perhaps he would never understand since it appeared family's kept tighter holds on the daughters, something his own mother had dealt with even though the world had been vastly different when she was a child.
Still, a chuckle actually escaped his lips at the description of the duruf. " You don't have to worry. As long as he doesn't try to maim anyone it should be fine to have him on the estate." Faisal gave a slight shrug before reaching for another pastry. "I have a furry friend of my own so we can only pray that they don't wreck too much havoc upon meeting."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:53 am
Sariza shrugged her shoulders. "No different than most fathers." Wasn't it common for a father to be concerned over his daughter? She'd never given it much thought considering his position. Brigadier General Hakan had garnered much respect over the years, but he'd also racked up a fair number of enemies. If he said something was so then that was that. If she'd been more rebellious she may have poked a little more, but as much as she looked up to him a part of her was still a little scared of Hakan's intensity.
"....He has his own handler." She offered awkwardly. There was no saying 'oh, he's tame, he won't harm a fly' because she'd seen the snotty little thing go after a child simply for it's toy. "He isn't aggressive just bratty." Hopefully he wouldn't act up around Faisal's own pet. That would just make a tense situation worse...
"I think I saw something." Sariza motioned up to the stars above. Of course as soon as she'd pointed it out no other stars were visibly moving and that was a little disappointing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:34 pm
Faisal arched a thoughtful brow but kept his commentary to himself. For such a protective father he seemed rather eager to toss his daughter into marriage. Was his grandmother's opinion that strongly admired by the general? The hybrid could only imagine what must have transpired behind the scenes to arrange this engagement. Either way the young swordsman brushed away his worry for the moment, including the worry about the duruf. I suppose I'll just see what chaos happens once he arrives at the manor. All he could do for now was give a slight nod of his head. "Duly noted. I'll give him space if he visits with you in the future." Mused Faisal as he also noted to keep his own familiar in his chambers just to avoid any potential trouble.
Pressing his lips together thoughtfully Faisal glanced up at the sky. Surely there had to be something...Ah. The hybrid found himself moving closer to Sariza so that he could gently place a hand against her cheek and turn her head in the other direction. "I believe they're coming from the east instead tonight so just give it a minute... He commented quietly before settling in next her before pulling his hand slowly away as if afraid to startle her and distract her from the star that would surely shoot across the sky. "It seems that they were not lying about the stars after all." He smiled faintly as he watched a star streak across the sky, hopefully the first of many that would brighten up their night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:11 pm
Oh. OH.
Sariza's heart stuttered when he touched her cheek. She went along with it easily enough, but instead of the stars her eyes drifted towards him instead. She'd been too busy looking up to the sky to notice that he'd gotten closer, but then, just like that, she was getting flustered....
Her soft, pink eyes turned away from the hybrid and back to the sky just in time to see a few more stars dart across the cosmos. Slowly they were starting to build and the sight was as rewarding as the conversation. Being around him was still very much akin to being near a stranger because....well, he was. Yet, it was nice to be able to start talking and get a feel for who Faisal was as a person. The stars, the atmosphere, the food...It may have been romantic if the circumstances had been different.
Sariza closed her eyes and sent a silent wish to the stars. Please let this work. She wasn't asking for love; just a good life with a good man. So far everything looked fine...she just hoped it stayed that way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
