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 Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:02 pm
It had been a few months since they had settled in Matori and Nasrin was learning quickly from her Aunt, so much so that she had even recently passed a set of exams prepared by the older Matori which proved she was as prepared as possible to continue on as a healer of her own calling. It was great news to share for the new year, especially considering how close she had gotten with Taaru who she knew was planning on traveling more so that he could help wild animals and bring them back to his family's sanctuary up in Zena. "New year, new me." Repeated Nasrin as she studied her reflection in a bronze mirror, her hands twisting her hair back into a braid for the fifth time as she prepared to meet with Taaru.
There were festivities along the beach tonight to ring in the new year and she was all dressed up for it. There would be stalls with food, little games for younglings and a star viewing ceremony to watch the last day of the year wash away with the ocean waves. Nasrin was even wearing a traditional teal dress with swirling patterns that had a sash around her waist, a dainty silver rope belt holding everything together with pearls and shells tucked into her hair. But it wasn't the festivities that had Nasrin nervous. For some reason Nasrin felt almost nervous spending more time with Taaru lately, her heart fluttering more and more since their night together under the stars, but the girl felt like it was silly. They were really close friends who had been through so much together so why was she suddenly shy? "I can't do that now." She chastised herself before finally backing away from the mirror and leaving the room so that she could meet him in front of the inn they resided at while she studied under her Aunt. It was time to just celebrate the arrival of a new year, not a time to worry about whatever was up with her lately!
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:59 am
Taaru (Glacial by Discord)
Taaru splashed some water on his face from the basin in the inn room. He had just come back from a house whose adored pet Alol had burned their feet in an accidental fire. Taaru had come far in learning about Matori's animal life, and grew relatively familiar with their anatomy and illnesses. Though healing magics were not his strong point, he learned to treat them through natural remedies and herbs. The poor Alol had gotten loose and its curious nature found it out on the owner's balcony railing, and its rather paranoid owner ran after it trying to prevent it from falling. This caused a nearby lantern to crash to the floor and set a small housefire. Though the owner and all their possessions were fine, the poor Alol's feet were burned. While treating the animal, Taaru explained to the owner that they have sticky feet and are excellent climbers, so there was nothing to worry about.
He finished wiping his face off with a cloth and thought "At least the little guy has a nice home." He looked outside and realized how dark it had gotten. "Aw, man I'm gonna be late!" he exclaimed as he looked around his messy room. His room was messy with his belongings and clothes strewn about and half opened boxes of herbs littered the corners. Taaru frowned at the sight. If mom saw this room, she would give me an earful, but... Taaru couldn't help but smile a bit. He missed his mother and family, but at the same time, he was enjoying his current work, balancing magic training, archery and practicing medicine and treatments for animals. Most of all, he enjoyed his time with the company he was currently in. Nasrin made him feel...
Taaru blinked several times and he felt his cheeks get warm. He let out a "Bleh," shook his head, and started looking for something nice to wear. He wasn't sure how to tell her how he felt, and how he had been feeling this way for a long while now. As he put his clothes on, he thought, The new year is coming up. Maybe I'll find a way tonight.
[Taaru 1]
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:59 am
Nasrin found herself pacing back and forth in front of the inn. Had something happened to Taaru? She was prepared to rush off to fight whatever danger he was in before reminding herself that surely he was fine since they were in the village and not in any dangerous area like before. Maybe he had gotten caught up helping someone with their familiar? Taaru had been busy the last couple of months while she was studying healing and had been taking a lot of time to help out the locals with any problems they encountered with animals. Nasrin took a deep breath before deciding that maybe she should try walking up the stairs and calling out to Taaru before rushing off into the middle of the New Years festivities to search for him. There was no giant forest fire, no Dretch, absolutely nothing that should ruin their New Years together. Calm down, Nasrin. She was being silly! A flush decorated her cheeks before she shook her head and walked inside so that she could start up the stairs.
"Taaru? Are you here?" She called out quietly, her hands twisting together nervously as she waited for him.
[Nasrin 2]
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:00 am
The sound of Nasrin's worried voice through the door made Taaru frown, but was also endearing in some way. He took a deep breath and emerged from his room. He wore a rather dashing white button up and open jacket. The buttons on his shirt were not clasped all the way up to the collar, leaving his recently purchased Matori necklace in plain view resting between his collar bones. These were accompanied by some dress pants and boots that hugged his calves.
"Hey, sorry about the wait..." He looked towards the ground, and put a hand behind his neck, ashamed for making her worry. Taaru stole a glance at her, but couldn't look away. She looked beautiful in her dress, so much that it brought slight bewilderment and a flush to Taaru's cheeks. "You... look so nice tonight." He said with a smile.
[Taaru 2]
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:00 am
"It's alright." Nasrin raised a hand to rub against the side of her neck almost sheepishly, her fingers twisting a loose curl she found there. It was her fault for still feeling so scared of everything, especially when it concerned being separated from her companion. While Nasrin did not talk about the nightmares the Dretch gave her the girl still felt haunted by their presence in the shadows and didn't want anything bad to happen to her loved ones. Thankfully though Taaru's compliment snapped Nasrin back to the present and a flush decorated her cheeks. "Thank you. My aunt refused to let me leave for the festival without wearing a more traditional dress." Nasrin smiled. "I'm glad you like it and you look fairly dashing yourself, sir." Her gaze darted towards the matori necklace and her smile brightened. "I hope you're enjoying Matori, especially since you're spending the new year with me here." It had been nice to have Taaru nearby while she studied healing with her family and their friends. Nasrin had already grown so much as a healer that she knew her time here was coming to a close and then she had to wonder...what was in store for them this year? And why did she always imagine Taaru there? What did he have in mind for his future? Nasrin found herself curious but didn't want to burden him with such talk when they had a festival to enjoy.
"Shall we go?"
[Nasrin 3]
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:00 am
Taaru smiled at Nasrin, and couldn't help but notice she too was a bit more on the shy side this evening. He hoped he didn't say anything that made her uncomfortable. "Yes, let's."
Taaru gently clasped her hand in his and led her towards the festivities for the new year. He looked up at the sky and enjoyed the cool breeze the evening ocean wind brought in. The stars were in full view tonight, spattering the sky with their asynchronous twinkles and various colors, as if an artist had splashed various dark and light colors with flecks of white. It was a beautiful night, one Taaru intended to enjoy with Nasrin. He pointed up as they walked, pointing out various stars he had seen before. "Hey, we saw that set before!" He said excitedly. "Those were out in the sky when we watched the meteor shower that evening." He met Nasrin's gaze, trying to get her eyes to betray her thoughts. "This will be another wonderful evening under the stars, don't you think?" He smiled warmly at her, waiting for her reply.
[Taaru 3]
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:00 am
Nasrin followed after Taaru, her gaze following everything that he pointed out along the way. "I never expected you to be such an astronomer." She found herself teasingly quietly even though she was enjoying the stars herself. The very thought of the meteor shower made the back of her neck flush and the young healer found herself looking up towards the skies rather than at Taaru for fear that her heart would flutter. "It seemed just like yesterday but it has been almost a year now, right?" She mused quietly as she recalled the event that they had shared together within the first month of their arrival in Matori. "It was a wonderful evening indeed." Nasrin admitted as she reached up to touch the necklace that she usually kept tucked beneath her clothing.
"I think it will be." Nasrin nodded as she lowered her gaze and smiled towards Taaru warmly. "I'm not too familiar on customs in the mainland but my aunt told me about the wishing festival where everyone writes wishes or past regrets on talismans to burn them away before the new year begins." That would be tonight when the bonfires were lit so that everyone could enjoy their time together under the stars, their hearts full of hope for the future. "Do you have something to wish for, Taaru?"
[Nasrin 4]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:26 pm
"Past regrets, huh?" He put a fingertip on his chin. He knew what regret he would write down, but at this point, he had already overcome his regrets within the last year. His interactions with the village and his travels with Nasrin helped him overcome his personal trials and attain growth maturing into adulthood. But what of the future? Before he could even begin that thought, her question beat him to the punch.
Taaru smiled coyly at her question. It didn't take much for him to think about, for he only had one thing on his mind, and on this particular night under the stars, his reminiscing filled him with a bit of extra courage to go for what he'd been wanting for some time now.
"Nasrin, I..." He started. "As a matter of fact, I do." He clasped his other hand over hers, and looked her dead in the eye. "My wish would be for you and I to experience the world doing what we do together. My family has an animal sanctuary in Zena. Originally I travelled to Matori to help replenish our supply of herbs and medicines, but then I met you. You, who gave me new purpose when I lost my way. You who stayed by my side amidst the chaos and suffering we endured."
He continued, "Over time I came to realize that I would do anything for you. My wish for the future would be to be with you. Together we could heal and protect animals and people, to make this world a better place. To help others who may also have lost their way."
"Now tell me Nasrin... What do you wish for?"
[Taaru 4]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:26 pm
Nasrin felt her cheeks warm as Taaru suddenly grabbed her hand and looked at her. "You..." Her gaze widened but a small smile crossed her lips as he continued speaking. "You have a very elegant way of putting things." It was almost as if her childhood as a storyteller spending time entertaining the younglings while daydreaming had personified at times. A soft chuckle escaped her before she slowly nodded her head. "I believe I truly cannot say it any better than you, Taaru." She admitted quietly as she took his hand in her own, her fingers lacing together with his. "I would love to stay with you and help others."
Nasrin felt his warmth seeping into her fingers and even her heart felt full of warmth in that moment. "You have always made me feel safe. I know our initial meeting was not the most ideal but I am truly thankful to have you in my life now, Taaru. I don't want to let go." She admitted as she studied him closely. "If we go to Zena though you'll have to keep me warm because I'm not certain how well I can deal with the cold. We would have to visit my family in Belrea eventually too." Nasrin was just simply too happy in this moment to even truly try to express her feelings. "I had been wandering in the darkness during my nightmares but you were always my light." She admitted with a flush. "If you want a partner for more than just helping out at the sanctuary then I would be open to exploring that possibility as well. That would be my wish."
[Nasrin 5]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:26 pm
Taaru's heart felt like it would burst at any moment. He was elated to hear her mutual response and couldn't help the big smile that quickly spread across his face. "Well then. We could be hard pressed to change our minds it seems."
He looked at her with surprise at her last statement. Though that was a possibility he had thought of, Taaru was unsure of how it would be received. Now that he knew her feelings on the matter, he pulled her close, wrapped her arm around his side and interlaced his fingers with hers.
"I'll be sure to keep you this close so you dont get cold." He said with a smile.
[Taaru 5]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:26 pm
Nasrin laughed happily. "Hmm. May have to keep me a bit closer." She teased as she pressed against his side. It seemed like tonight's festival would be a success and the pair had a new plan in place for the upcoming year. Instead of worrying about separating they would have to figure out travel plans. Nasrin was delighted though with that decision and was happy that Taaru felt the same way as her. Certainly she was a bit more innocent to things but it didn't make her feel any less love blooming for the archer who had protected her for so long now. "We should buy some of the sweet rice cakes." She murmured. "I hear that's lucky to have before the new year." Nasrin was determined to have the best new year possible, something even more likely now that they had already agreed upon their new course of action. Even if it was going to be colder than what she was accustomed to the girl knew she could endure with Taaru at her side.
[Nasrin 6]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:27 pm
Taaru found himself smiling again at her comment, only this time it was his signature big goofy grin. He felt her warmth as she pressed up closer to him, and his heart skipped a beat. "Ah yes, that would be a wonderful idea to help us have good luck in our newfound future endeavors together." He chuckled and walked them along towards the stall selling said sweet rice cakes.
He exchanged his coin with the merchant for the rice cakes. One was a crescent moon shape, and the other was star shaped. He handed the star to Nasrin, and held up his rice cake, ready to make a toast. "May we continue to keep lighting the way for one another." He said with yet another smile.
[Taaru 6]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:27 pm
Nasrin chuckled at the cheesiness even though she enjoyed every moment of it. "May we continue to shine." She chimed in happily as she took her rice cake and lightly tapped it against Taaru's playfully. The hybrid enjoyed a bite before pressing up against Taaru, nudging him gently with her hip. "There's also some plum alcohol if you'd like to truly have a toast for the new years." She offered with a small smile. Either way she knew she would be happy spending the rest of the evening with her dearest companion.
[Nasrin 7]
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:27 pm
Taaru facepalmed and realized how silly he was. "Wait, plum alcohol? Why didn't I think of that?" When he removed his hand from his face, he wore a silly expression. After a chuckle, he looped Nasrin's arm around his, and said, "Well we can't forget that, can we?" And he started towards the nearest stall selling their desired beverage, content to spend the rest of his evening with Nasrin.
[Taaru 7]
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