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 Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2023 11:46 am
Elias 1 The swish of the sword was soft in the air as the young boy brought it down slowly in front of him. The fruit easily parted, the slide of the juice darkening the rock underneath it. Lowering the weapon, or currently the oversized kitchen knife, Elias walked over and picked up one half of the treat, sitting down beside the neglected one to eat, sword over his knees. It was the most use it got. The edges were still as sharp as a freshly made blade could be. He didn't even use it to swing at wooden dummies and still preferred a wooden sword for sparring. Which he also done rarely. Maybe in a few years, when he was used to the weight of it on his belt and in his hands, he would be ready to try using it more for its intended purpose. For now, he was content to use it in drills and wear it.
As he bit into the fruit slice, the hybrid watched the road. He wasn't far from the school. He had decided to wait outside, as he usually did, for his father, who was probably inside volunteering the two of them for something. He rarely minded. Usually the work was pretty fun and he got to spend time with people he might normally not get to see very often. Those who liked to take time off busy schedules to go to the festivals and events held. Plus, it was always a joy to be with the older Leaf man. Elias was thankful to have such a pleasant and caring parent.
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Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:25 am
Ezili 1
Visiting family was always considered a fun event, but Ezili also knew that it was in a way her parents’ version of grounding her. But was it technically grounding? The young woman tilted her head, studying her fingers as a blue flame danced across them. She supposed it could be considered more like a temporary exile, as visiting relatives was definitely her family’s way of getting her out of the rangers’ encampment for a time since she was prone to causing a bit of mischief here and there. Not that she expected her aunt and uncle to do much better at containing her little outbursts of magic that interfered with things. Surprisingly though Aunt Cahira was fairly good at keeping her entertained, the young mage learning about fighting while staying here with Cahira at this new academy for swordsmanship. Uncle Omari tried to teach her some dancing, which admittedly did hold her interest some days but playing around with various weapons was a lot more enticing for the troublemaker. What was with her family and academies by the way? They truly did love teaching, didn’t they? One to dance and the other to fight. She was surprised Uncle Koril hadn’t set up a school for animals yet!
Today though she was running errands to her grandmother’s little school in Matori, Ezili having brought requested artwork to share with her family. One perk at least of being considered an adult was the fact that even when she was exiled she was able to travel alone without someone like her older sister hovering over her every movement. Anahita had taken her as far as the border of Oba before leaving her to follow a group of merchants through the country to Matori, the rangers being busy with an escort mission and leaving Ezili to her own once they had reached the trading town. While her older siblings had taken up various tasks back home, some evening joining the rangers officially, Ezili was far too much of a wildcard to agree to such things. So errands it was.
Though who was this? Ezili tilted her head with interest, curiosity making her gaze bright as she watched a hybrid slicing fruit with a sword. What a way to use the weapon! A giggle nearly escaped her lips before she quickly pulled back behind a tree, the great palm helping to cover most of her figure as she peeked at the stranger. This was most definitely a perk from her avoiding the main road and taking a little side detour through the cliffs to here. Else he would have spotted her first! Ezili’s lips curved upwards as she pondered what mischief she could get away with before getting caught. Though that fruit did look good? The young woman’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully, the dancing flame forgotten as a gust of wind replaced it instead and slowly started pushing the other half of the fruit away from the other hybrid and towards her hiding spot.
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Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2023 3:30 pm
Elias 2 The juice from the half of fruit rolled down the hybrid's chin as he bit into it. He raised his hand to wipe at it, his pale green eyes still watching the world in front of him and down the road. Any mischief going on around him was, for the moment, completely hidden. He assumed he was the only one out here. Or at least the only one nearby. There had been no one out here when he'd remained at this spot while his father kept walking towards the school. And there had been no one since he had disappeared through the doors. Most youths might have been bored out of their minds, waiting outside by themselves for an unknown amount of time. Not Elias. He enjoyed the sounds of nature around him when he wasn't spending the time working on some forms.
The rest of the fruit was finished up in a few large bites. The teenager turned his head in the opposite direction of the school, at the same time raising his arm to throw the leftovers far out into the grass, where he hoped it would provide a lovely little snack for some wandering animal. That was when he noticed the second half was not quite where he had left it. He'd reached down without looking for it and found only stone underneath his fingers. Glancing down, he saw it edging away, as if a very strong breeze were carrying it. But there was no breeze strong enough to do that. Just enough to make his hair flutter.
Leaving the other half where it was, Elias stood up, putting away his sword so the sharp edge was safely away from flesh and looked around him for the source of the strange wind, quickly spotting something strange by a tree.
"Hello?" he asked, squinting into the sunshine.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:43 pm
Ezili 2
Aw, he had caught on so quickly! Ezili pursed her lips in a silent protest, the hybrid twisting around the palm tree as she watched the young swordsman work on retrieving the fruit. A little nudge of the wind made the piece of fruit wobble once more, a slight teasing gesture, but then it quickly stopped once more as he called out towards the tree. Did she simply walk out and introduce herself? That would probably be the most typical reaction, but Ezili was more playful than others and so she wanted to tease the stranger a bit more.
"You have disgraced Janal, the great god of war, by using a blade for such meager reasons." She called out from the tree, trying to make her voice seem somewhat ethereal as it echoed throughout the area around them. "You should be prepared to pay a price to appease him so that you are not cursed for such impudence." Ironically enough that she barely believed in the Matori gods, but it was hard not to know about them since there were so many festivities held in their honor where her family often did performances with several dances specifically crafted to represent the story of the local gods. Though it was with the fortune of Onos that Ezili had been blessed with some magic so that she could pull trickery like this with a bit of magical fog and illusion at her disposal to make the area suddenly seem a bit out of place for a previously sunny day in Matori. Others, however, would consider it more of a curse than a blessing depending on how Ezili bothered them that day using such tricks instead of being more serious for once. Unfortunately for the young swordsman, Ezili was simply too bored after traveling for so long to get to Matori. So what harm could a little fun do?
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 6:18 pm
Elias 3 Confusion spread across the young hybrid's face at sight of the movement just beyond his clear vision. He took a step forward with the intentions of investigating, the bravery of youth on his side, when something burst from behind the trunk into the air. Oh. Just a bird. Though that didn't explain the weird breeze that was targeting only his last piece of fruit now laying forgotten on the rock.
He didn't have long to remain in silence. Almost immediately after he noticed the bird, a booming voice startled him, his whole body jerking. To say he was unsettled was an understatement. The day had been so quiet, so clear. Where had all this come from? And while he believed in the Gods as much as most people, he more thought of them as too busy to pay attention to what the common folk down here were up to. There must be tons of others who were using their blades for different things. Not like that was the first time he had done it.
Elias decided to play it cool. At least until he understood more of what was happening. Did the voice sound somewhat feminine? He couldn't really tell too clearly. Wasn't Janal a man?
"What price will I have to pay to make up for this dishonor?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:25 pm
While the bird hadn't been an intentional thing done by Ezili, she did appreciate the timing. On'os...you're almost there if you're trying to gain my belief. She teased silently, her azure gaze darting up towards the sky before focusing back on the target who was still approaching. She was honestly surprised, Ezili had almost expected him to run away after such a display. Talk about courage or foolishness! Or was she simply losing her touch? Had she not appeared mystical enough to startle him away? Ezili pursed her lips in silent protest that such a thought had even dared to cross her mind. Surely not!
"Must the speakers of the gods always provide an answer?" She finally replied, a forced sigh of exasperation accompanying her words as she pondered what type of payment would be expected for Janal. "As it is, I suppose there is always a call for mercy. If you do not have anything of great interest or value save for that fruit then perhaps it will suffice." Ezili kept pressed against the tree, a mist still curling about the tree as she tried her best to keep from sight. Did she press her luck? Of course. A mischievous smirk crossed her lips as she pondered the options here. "Of course, the offering must be presented with the formalities and respect deserved by any god." And if there were truly Oban or Matori gods to strike her down for her mockeries then one would have to hope that they were somewhat amused by the mage playing around with the swordsman, especially since Ezili was not worried at all by her actions.
[Ezili 3]
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2023 3:28 pm
Elias 4 No. He supposed not. The Gods from all the stories he had ever read did whatever they pleased, it seemed like. Never minding if it interfered with mortal lives. Elias cleared his throat, raising one hand to delicately cough into his fist. The more the encounter went on, the more uncomfortable he found himself. Was it true? Was he truly speaking to one of the Gods? It seemed a bit strange, to target him today of days, when it wasn't the first time he had used a sword in such a way. It hadn't seemed a problem before.
"I'm sorry, uh....Sir." The hybrid ran a hand through his hair, his heart starting to pound faster in his indecision and confusion. Gods were not to be trifled with, he knew. Or kept waiting. If that was who he was indeed dealing with. Elias still was not completely sure. Still, it never hurt to be cautious. Not that he knew what one did to honor the Gods. Not these ones, anyway. He followed Zenan traditions more than Matori. Even though they were all the same beings but with different names, would it matter here if he didn't follow Matori ways while living in Matori? It was all so confusing.
Not that he had anything on him to do this properly. Instead, he picked up the fruit half and set it in the middle of the boulder, trying to position it perfectly. He than stood back and bowed over it, the palm of one hand placed flat over his heart, feeling the rabid pulse beneath. He said a few silent prayers, his pale eyes closed. Than he stood back even further and bowed once more for good measure. "I hope this offering suffices, oh Great Lord. I shall leave you in peace, now."
Once done, satisfied with his attempts, Elias backed away. He had intended on leaving, but a strong sense of curiosity overcame him. Spying a tree of his own on the other side of the trail, he quickly hid behind it, trying to use the natural foliage around him to hide his peeking over the side. If it was truly Janal, he wanted to see what happened. If it wasn't, well, he still wanted to see what happened.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 10:31 pm
Ezili 4
It was so hard to not burst into laughter. Ezili sucked in her lips while tightening her arms around her stomach to keep the amusement contained, the task becoming even more daunting when she peeked and saw him begin bowing over the fruit. Surely even the gods would be amused by this and not upset by her mockery. How respectful the young swordsman was in his actions! She truly had not expected it! “Good. Leave and go swing your sword elsewhere without mocking my domain.” Ezili managed to reply, waiting a few more moments after the other hybrid backed away before bursting into soft giggles. She had always considered using a sword for such a task before while on the road, wondering how much easier a swordswoman like her aunt could cut into the bigger fruits instead of leaving her to hack at it with a knife, but had never actually expected it to play out this way. Not only had she been given some amusement but he actually had left a piece of the fruit to her! What a delight! If I run into him again I should thank him for such a performance unless he truly believes the gods were involved. Had she just converted someone to the Oban religion with her antics? The very thought brought more shaking and soft laughter, Ezili leaning against the tree for a moment after wiping the tears from her eyes.
After regaining her composure the hybrid fixed her hooded cowl so that it covered her face. The sunlight was a bit bright today and there was also just a bit of wariness about her. What if the young swordsman came back and caught her munching on fruit? Did it matter? Ezili paused thinking about her options before giving a slight shrug. So what? It wouldn’t be the first time she was caught making mischief and it wasn’t as if this were a long running prank, she didn’t even know the swordsman to continue messing with him. It was also possible that he was a passing hybrid since he didn’t seem to be Matorian. Though she could be mistaken since she couldn’t get a good glimpse from her hiding place, after all. In the end the temptation of the fruit was too much and after another glance around the area Ezili finally emerged from her hiding place to pick up the fruit so that she could take a bite. “Mmm.” She loved the fruits back home in the forest, but the local fruits here always seemed a bit more juicy and refreshing somehow. Perhaps it was the ocean heat that made it seem so but either way Ezili was content to munch on it and enjoy the moment without a care in the world for anyone lurking nearby.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:42 pm
Elias 5 Would something happen? Elias had plenty of patience to wait. Besides, it wasn't as if he could go anywhere just yet. Not until his father appeared down the other end of the path. What would he think, the hybrid wondered. Kayde never seemed all that religious to begin with. His mother, yes. She had taught him all about the Zenan beliefs and Gods. If Elias followed anything, it would be those. Though he still wasn't yet sure if he followed anything, yet. Did he really believe there were higher powers pulling the strings or watching the creatures that inhabited the space below them as if they were watching a huge stage performance? He was open to the idea, at the very least.
While he was musing over all this, a figure finally appeared and approached his left offering. Elias frowned, disappointed to see a hood covering the face so he couldn't see the features properly. It was possible, he supposed, that they truly were a God and were protecting any mortal creature around them from seeing their face. For gazing upon the features of a God must be so overwhelming to cause your heart to stop. Though what God wanted just fruit? And stood there eating it? His curiosity only grew. Along with his suspicions.
From his own hiding place, the boy shouted. "I would have shared the fruit if you asked." No need to reveal himself too quickly, either, if that was the game.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:17 pm
Ezili 5
Ah, damn. Ezili finished taking a bite of the fruit, the trickster reaching up to wipe the juice from the corner of her mouth with a sleeve before glancing over towards the general direction of the voice. Her gaze was gleaming beneath the cowl as she surveyed the area before shrugging and dropping the rind onto the ground. “That wouldn’t have been as amusing though.” She finally replied with a grin. “The performance truly made the fruit all the sweeter. Even Janal would be impressed, I'm sure you've made amends with him.” Usually one had to pay for a meal and a performance together, right? She truly had lucked out today! The thought made another chuckle leave her lips before she finally decided to confront her latest victim of mischief. At least it was only a fruit lost, nothing as bad as some of the other pranks that she had played upon others before.
“If you have more fruit then please feel free to share it. I won’t ask you to bow and pray before offering it this time.” She teased before finally pulling her cowl back from her face, the hybrid’s features showing as she looked towards the direction of where she guessed the boy to be hiding. “Look, I’m revealed and everything this time.” Ezili had already used so much energy to do her theatrical appearance that it seemed a shame to ruin it, but at the same time she didn’t want to keep up the effort to continue playing as a god. Not when she had already claimed her prize and enjoyed every bite of that fruit. Now it was just an interest in seeing who she had tricked, more than anything else...well that and the option of more fruit when she had exerted so much energy casting illusions and could use a decent snack before visiting her family.
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Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2024 11:10 am
Elias 6 A small, unseen smile played across the hybrid's lips at the reply. He couldn't even feel mad, not that he really would have been in the first place. Elias was such an easy-going teenager. How could he be, after such a performance that he had been subjected to? And all for a piece of fruit? Very dramatic and theatrical. Had he known he would have been treated to such a creative act while he awaited his father today, he would have brought more back to his sitting rock with him.
"I should hope it did," he continued to shout, trying to get a good look at the one who fooled him so well through the leaves of the bush he was peering through. "I hand picked those carefully myself." He stood up and stepped away from the tree, figuring it wouldn't be proper to continue to yell from across a distance when there were no hard feelings on either side over the prank. He stepped one foot onto the path, the small smile spread into a wider, friendly grin when she dropped her own hood and he paused, staring for a moment. She's cute. Far more than he would have expected. He felt a slight warmth to his cheeks he quickly tried to shrug off, continuing to walk forward and clearing his throat, hoping it wouldn't sound different. Hoping that the time it took to get close enough to talk was enough to compose himself.
"I am afraid not," the boy answered, patting the pockets of his pants to emphasize that fact. "Someone seems to have eaten my last one." Than he chuckled, showing how little he did mind over the fact. "The name of the one you so cleverly tricked is Elias, by the way. If you would like to know to share with everyone how much I fell for that."
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:28 pm
“Oh is that why? I still think the display made it much better than simply picking it.” Teased Ezili back in return, watching as the other hybrid started towards her. Her grin only brightened more at his pause. Maybe he had expected someone who looked more like a brute since she had invoked Janal, the god of war? Either way it was still amusing to watch as he came over. Now that they were both out in the open to truly face each other the young trickster found herself studying him. Hadn’t her aunt mentioned something about training fighters in the area? Was this one of them or someone from her grandmother’s school? Either way it would be nice if so. That would mean she had plenty more opportunities to mess with him, he had already proven that he was good for pranking unless he started getting wiser to such things now that he knew about her. And here she was worried things would be boring in Matori!
Her expression did fall a bit though at the lack of fruit. “That is unfortunate.” She mused, skipping over the fact that someone had indeed eaten and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of that last fruit. “I suppose it works out that I have connections in the area. They’ll probably have more fruit even if it’s not nearly as delicious as that piece was.” She gave a slight shrug as if accepting her fate about the fruit and the grin came back with the introduction, the loss of delicious fruit momentarily forgotten. “Elias…I feel like I have heard that somewhere before.” Maybe he did know her family? Ezili murmured before giving another shrug and holding up a hand in greeting. “Anyways, the name is Ezili and I’ll gladly share the story of Janal with others so no worries there.”
“I suppose I could offer to let you tag along if you wanted a replacement fruit since that was a pretty good display.” Ezili added after another moment, her gaze still dancing with amusement as she felt that her trickery had gone quite well today.
[Ezili 6]
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Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:42 pm
Elias 7 "I live to amuse," Elias answered good-naturedly, bowing a little at the waist like a modest performer to a crowd, the type he had seen plenty of times when accompanying his parents to festivals and events. Like how he'd seen his own father bow to the audience, just a slightly bending of his body and head, as if he couldn't quite believe all the applause was for him. His mother was far more elaborate when she addressed the crowd, making flourishes with her hand or whatever she had been using to dance with. Maybe instigate her partner to spin her around a few times to really show off.
Connections in the area? Wouldn't that turn out to be quite the coincidence if it was with the dance school. The very reason he was here in the first place. It wasn't too far away. He expected his father to walk down the road any minute now. He couldn't possibly be taking too much time. It wasn't like he had gone for a lesson or Elias would have continued on instead of waiting around. At least he hoped he hadn't been roped into a lesson or something. Not taht that would be so terrible anymore. Not with such nice company now. It would have been quite boring to sit here by himself. After all, his fruit was gone. He could do some exercises, sure, but he wanted to keep his attention alert for Kayde.
The youth shrugged, not feeling as suspicious of the familiarity. It was entirely possible for others to have his name. It wasn't like it was something his parents had invented on their own. "Bit early to meet your family, isn't it?" he couldn't help joking. "It's nice to meet you, Ezili. It would have been quite dull around here had you not showed up. Be sure to spread it around far and wide. Maybe I'd like being famous, even for something silly."
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Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:33 pm
Ezili raised a hand to cover the grin that spread across her lips at the display. “Is that so?” She would have to remember that. Live to amuse, indeed! She had expected a flustered or even an angry reaction that he had been played around with, not this continued charade. It was a different type of amusement from what she was accustomed with since most didn’t have the happiest of reactions towards her antics. And then to tease her in return? Okay, he was really trying to gain her favor. Ezili’s gaze brightened with another laugh leaving her lips. “Is it? We could consider the fruit an engagement gift. I’m sure my family would be delighted.” She teased in return, her expression daring as she responded to his joke with her usual playfulness. Obviously she was taking none of this seriously, but it was still fun to play around with the idea.
“The famed swordsman who appeased the great god with fruit.” Ezili shook her head as she looked over Elias thoughtfully. What was the worst thing that could happen if she raided the kitchen for some fruit? A smirk crossed her lips as she pondered the option. “I’m sure I could sneak in and out without alerting my family if you’d like to keep our rendezvous a bit more secret for now. My grandmother’s dancing school is right down the road. Surely you could spare a few minutes for that?” She expressed, gesturing in the direction where the school was as she watched the other hybrid for his reaction. Ezili enjoyed pranks but she didn’t like the idea of owing someone after being caught like this, especially if she wasn’t certain how often she would see him again for the chance at repayment.
[Ezili 7]
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:32 am
Elias 8 One hand rested easily on the hilt of his sword as Elias watched Ezili, thinking it a shame she covered her mouth. She had a pretty smile. "I guess you learn a thing or two about theatrics when you're parents are performers." Than he laughed at the continuation of the joke he had started, his cheeks warming a little at the thought despite himself. He was quickly finding he was enjoying the playful banter. He didn't get many chances to stretch his comedic skills. "Ah, why would they want to get rid of you so badly?" he teased back, assuming in his personal guess that if she played a prank like this so easily on a stranger, what did she do to her own family, perhaps?
But all his fun evaporated as he choked a bit on an inhale, giving a few coughs in response. The dance school down the road?! There was only one dance school down the road. He'd explored this entire area so much as a child and now a teenager, while waiting for his parents to finish with lessons or another appointment. Perhaps a bit of a dramatic reaction, but he had been so caught off guard by it. He tried to play it off as something, some dust in the air, getting into his throat.
"The school, you say." He was almost tempted to try and play it mysteriously. If he hadn't already made a display of himself. Not that he was ever one for mystery. His parents would have greatly disapproved of him being dishonest in any way. "As it happens, I'm waiting for my father from the same direction, so we may be discovered sooner than we expected."
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