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 Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:10 pm
Glacial by Discord
The soft light of morning dawn slowly warmed the dark landscape of Oba's cold and barren sands. The chill in the air would soon dissipate under the intense heat of the desert sun, but for the time being, a gentle warmth embraced all the light touched. Soon, those still sleeping would stir from their slumber, but Taaru had already been awake. He was unable to sleep for most of the night, stricken with fear and slight paranoia. He nocked an arrow in his bow and let it fly towards a makeshift target fashioned to look somewhat like a menacing dretch, though it was anything but. It was just a simple form made from wood, with branches for antennae, wielding a spear-like stick and an angry face drawn on where its face should be. His arrow completely missed, landing in the sand off to the side of his target. Damn it...
Taaru let out a sigh, as he readied another arrow. Thoughts of his recent capture and escape by the hands of the dretch had captured his mind of late, and he was finding it hard to believe. Though he was warned by his parents of the dangers of the world and how to deal with them, the shock of everything happening so soon was getting to him. The escape was not easy, but with the help of a few fellow captives, they managed to get themselves out, and of that he was thankful. He shot the second arrow, but this time it landed in the sand in front of the dummy. He slumped down in defeat. He was glad they escaped but... there was something else bothering him, causing him to lose focus.
[Taaru 1]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:35 pm
There seemed to be a constant chill that clung to Nasrin's skin these days. The depths of the underworld had crawled into her very soul and it was hard for her to not want constant light now that she had finally emerged back to the surface world. At night whenever darkness did finally overtake the landscape she would find herself tossing and turning in her sleep, the terror from the nightmares causing her to sweat and sticking the blankets against her flushed skin, and despite her best attempts to hide the trauma there were constant shadows under her sky blue eyes. Whereas her companion seemed more alert and on the defensive with his bow she was more inclined to just crawl beneath her bedroll and curl up into a tight ball for safety's sake. Honestly, she had almost been at a loss whenever the others departed from Jahaur to go their separate ways and whenever Taaru offered his companionship she had nearly bolted into his arms. How could she travel alone back to Matori after the incident with the Dretch? What if they came back? She could just imagine the ground shuddering beneath her feet, a crevice opening up to swallow her whole once more to go into slavery for the bug mages. Nasrin had never known such fear until now and for someone so sheltered coping with it was exceedingly difficult. Still, she tried to be brave and to put on a bright smile like usual whenever she was with others....it just tended to be harder than before.
Nasrin was placing such a smile on her face now as she emerged from yet another restless night and walked towards Taaru. The sound of arrows originally had made her flinch but now she was finding herself almost comforted by the sounds of archery so early in the morning. It had only been a week or so since they had started traveling together but Nasrin found herself relying on that familiar presence more and more. Currently she had a basket of fruits gathered from a nearby oasis and she was planning on sharing that with Taaru.
However, spotting Taaru slumped down in defeat made her heart twist. I'm not the only one suffering. Nasrin reminded herself as she held up the basket and waved towards Taaru. "Hey! Don't wear yourself out so much that you fall down!" She teased to try and lighten the mood before plopping on the ground next to him and holding out one of the orange fruits towards him. It was mushy but really good and full of sweet juices that would trail down her own chin whenever she took a bite for herself. Nasrin had loaded a satchel full of them since they were also a good source to keep hydrated whenever they couldn't find an oasis easily while traveling between settlements.
[Nasrin 1]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
Glacial
Taaru had been so lost in his own whirlpool of thoughts, that he hadn't seen his most recent travelling companion approaching. After their escape, he volunteered to escort Nasrin to Matori, and they had been travelling together to try and watch each others backs lest the Dretch returned for another capture. That is my fear at the very least. He thought to himself. His eyes stared at the sand until an orange blob came into view, slowly coming into focus as one of the newly favorite fruits from the area. He blinked a few times, turning to look at the matori hybrid and gently taking the fruit from her hands. He slowly realized how vulnerable he was in this moment of weakness and he shook his head to try and snap out of it. He was supposed to be strong for those who couldn't be, and here he was, slumped in the sand. He smiled and Nasrin, "Yes, thank you. I'm sorry about that..." He trailed off. He didn't want her to be scared, even though he himself was terrified of the possibilities of any of the scenarios running through his head at the moment.
[Taaru 2]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
"Sorry about what?" Nasrin managed with a small smile, her gaze gentle despite the fears that haunted her in recent nights. "No need to apologize." The healer shifted as she sat next to him on the ground, her legs tucked in next to her for a more comfortable position as she plopped another fruit into her mouth. After finishing the bite and wiping the juices from her chin the hybrid glanced towards her new companion. They truly had been through a lot with that latest adventure and she knew that it would forever be one of her greatest fears but at least they were together now. Seeing how defeated Taaru had appeared made her resolve stronger and Nasrin forced another smile towards the archer. "Thank you again for coming with me to Matori. I truly appreciate it." She managed softly as she studied him, her gaze skimming across his face as if trying to read him better.
"You know I enjoy traveling together like this." She started slowly before allowing her words to trail off, her teeth sucking at her bottom lip thoughtfully. So strange how she was a childlike optimist before who held no reserves in speaking with others but now she found herself somehow shyer than ever before.
[Nasrin 2]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
Taaru perked up on hearing her gentle words. Though he initially felt worried about his inadequacies as a protector and guide, such thoughts dissipated at Nasrin's genuine words of gratitude. It brought him great comfort to have her at his side, and spending time to appreciate the fact that they were still okay and appreciating each other's presence served to put his doubts at ease. They did make it this far after all.
"Oh?" He could see her shyness and found it somewhat endearing. He smiled at her and took a bite of the fruit she handed him. "So, what will you do once we make it back to Matori?" He wondered aloud. Though he directed the question at her, he didn't even know what he would do with himself when his escort mission was complete. Come to think of it, I haven't thought about anything since our misfortunes since the incident...
[Taaru 3]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
"My mother's family has healers. I was hoping to learn more about traditional medicine from them." Nasrin admitted softly as she pondered Taaru's question. Before their underground adventure the girl had just been optimistic about learning from her mother's family but now she honestly didn't know what would happen next. Wariness about the future made her scoot closer to Taaru, his warmth and presence a comfort to her that she was relying on more and more each day. "After that I may return to Belrea but I'm not certain..."
Nasrin found her words trailing off as she pondered things. Despite everything there was still a part of her that wanted to explore Tendaji, especially its plants and the like, but she didn't know if she wanted to do it alone like before. "So what about you?" She asked as she focused back on Taaru. "Zena is far from here, right?"
[Nasrin 3]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
"Ha, far is a bit of an understatement." He looked towards her and was a bit surprised at how close she was now. His cool demeanor melted away and he was left captivated. He tripped over his words, "I... Uh..." He tore his gaze away and scrambled for a coherent thought, and the first thing that came to mind was home. "Yeah, I was supposed to carry out my mother's work. She runs an animal sanctuary there, and I'd help her collect herbs to treat them. I know what to look for, and thought I could help all kinds of critters across Tendaji, not just in Zena..." He paused for a moment. It was lonely without someone to share the journey with and he'd come to enjoy travelling with Nasrin. I'll be kind of sad when this job is done...
He met her gaze again, this time with a clear head. "Though it seems I've found some new profession in being a body guard I suppose," he quipped with a smile.
[Taaru 4]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
Nasrin was mostly unaware of the change with Taaru and just found herself settling in next to him. "Noted." She replied with a smile at his quip before blinking with interest at learning about his family. "That's so cool. " She breathed with admiration. "I actually decided to become a healer because I helped saved a familiar from my family's farm. We raise flowers since my father studies botany but saving animals sounds amazing."
His quip even though playful made her expression fall. "Oh. I didn't mean to take you from your work." Nasrin admitted sheepishly. "I love the idea of rescuing animals so I hate to get in the way..." But she was also terrified of being alone now and more so about not being near Taaru. They had been through a lot together already and she found it odd to think about not traveling with him.
[Nasrin 4]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
"Ah." Taaru felt a bit bad for making Nasrin feel guilty. "It isn't your fault. Helping keep people safe is just as fulfilling." He smiled at the thought. It would seem that their interests aligned and the thought of them becoming more than just travelling companions flashed through his mind. He could find the herbs and she could use them. They would be a pretty effective duo, but doubt stopped Taaru. As appealing as it sounds, she wouldn't want that, would she? He supposed it wouldn't hurt to present the possibility...
"What if..." He trailed off not knowing how to say what he wanted. "We... Could work together, beyond just reaching Matori?"
[Taaru 5]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:36 pm
A flush decorated Nasrin's cheeks. "I'm glad that you feel that way then. I definitely appreciate the company. " She confirmed again with a small smile. Maybe now that she knew more about Taaru's interests it would make sense to keep an eye out for injured animals so that he could continue his work too.
It seemed like their ideas were similar but Nasrin still found herself surprised at Taaru's suggestion. "What...what do you have in mind?" She finally found herself asking, her blue gaze focused on him as she waited for an answer.
[Nasrin 5]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:37 pm
He looked into her eyes, and tried not to look away. Why was this so hard all of a sudden? Wasn't this just a partnership in medicine? Unless it's the start of something more...? The thought was enough to make his cheeks warm. "Well I figured we could treat both people and animals... Together. I can also help you gather herbs... Our interests are pretty similar, and well, we've made it this far together." He paused to clear his throat. "Why not stay together for a bit longer?" He smiled warmly at her, nervously awaiting an answer
[Taaru 6]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:37 pm
"Oh." The word escaped Nasrin's lips like a breath as she sat back and twisted her hands together thoughtfully. "I think I would like that." She finally answered after mulling her feelings over. "I need to learn in Matori for a bit but I wouldn't mind helping you to take care of any animals...we could travel together to where you need after." She pursed her lips as she glanced towards the sky before looking at Taaru once more. "Honestly I've been so afraid of traveling alone after what happened but...but I think it would be especially nice to keep traveling with you, Taaru. I'm willing to try this if you are. " At least this for now...she wasn't certain what else they could discover together but Nasrin already trusted Taaru and would gladly stay near him.
[Nasrin 6]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:37 pm
Taaru felt happy that she accepted his proposal, perhaps a bit more excited than he should have been for just a simple partnership. Perhaps deep down he hoped it would become something more. He liked Nasrin, and even more so each day they spent on the road together. She was a kind and gentle soul, and one whose intentions were always good. He admired all of those qualities in her and grew to appreciate them more each day.
Uh, let's not get too ahead of ourselves, heh... Still, it was a nice thought. He could see a happy future with her... He smiled at Nasrin and nodded. "That's great to hear because I think it's really nice travelling with you too." He took another bite of his fruit. Suddenly, he didn't feel as fearful of the dretch. With his newfound courage and clarity, he felt if they did cross their path, they would be able to defend themselves and each other.
[Taaru 7]
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:37 pm
"It seems we are in agreement then." Noted Nasrin with a small smile as she picked up another fruit to snack on. A warmth spread in her chest as she enjoyed the moment and the company, hope for the future blooming despite the nightmares of the underground. It seemed that she wouldn't be traveling alone after all and from here on out she would just hope that things would keep getting brighter for the both of them.
[Nasrin 7] [FIN]
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