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 Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:36 am
The noble’s estate loomed before Nasuri as she approached, its towering gates and gardens a display of wealth that felt unnecessary to her. Parties like this were never her thing, but duty called. Her family had business ties with the nobles, and she couldn’t refuse an invitation without insulting them. She adjusted the collar of her dress, feeling slightly suffocated by the event's formality. As she stepped inside, the laughter and hum of conversation immediately grated on her nerves. Nasuri wasn’t here to mingle. She scanned the room, looking for familiar faces, but instead, her eyes landed on a colourful performer in the center of the crowd. The woman moved gracefully, her ribbons spinning through the air with flair. She sighed, rolling her eyes at the unnecessary spectacle.
"More theatrics," she muttered under her breath. Nasuri found a spot near the edge of the gathering, content to observe without engaging. The performance was hard to ignore, though. Kaikamahine commanded attention effortlessly, soaking up every ounce of admiration thrown her way.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:49 am
Kaikamahine basked in the attention, her ribbons catching the light as they twirled through the air. Every eye was on her, just how she liked it. The applause, the cheers—they fueled her performance. She thrived on this energy, this spotlight. She took a sweeping bow, her chest swelling with pride. As she straightened up, her gaze swept the room, taking in the faces of her audience. Then her eyes landed on someone who didn’t seem impressed. Kaikamahine vaguely recognized her from previous events. A noblewoman, but with none of the charm that typically came with it. Challenge accepted. She flashed a wide smile as she gracefully twirled her way over to Nasuri, ribbons trailing behind her.
"Not enjoying the show?" she asked, her voice light but with a teasing edge. She loved a challenge, especially from someone so stiff. She stepped closer, eager to draw Nasuri out of her shell. "You know, you look like someone who could use a little fun in their life."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:50 am
Nasuri raised an eyebrow at Kai’s approach. She wasn’t expecting to be singled out, especially by someone as flamboyant as her.
"Fun isn’t exactly why I’m here," she replied coolly, folding her arms across her chest. The performer's boldness was intriguing, if a bit annoying. Nasuri wasn’t one to play along with someone who craved attention. "I suppose you’re here to show everyone how entertaining you are?" Her tone was dry, but there was a hint of curiosity behind the sarcasm. She didn’t move as Kai drew closer, feeling a strange mixture of irritation and amusement. "I’m sure you have better people to dazzle than someone like me."
Nasuri had always been wary of people who loved the spotlight. To her, it seemed like a distraction from more important things. But Kai’s confidence was undeniable, and something about her carefree attitude tugged at her curiosity. Maybe there was more to this performer than met the eye.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:51 am
Kaikamahine grinned, unbothered by Nasuri’s dry response.
"Oh, I’m dazzling everyone, trust me. But you," she pointed at Nasuri playfully with one of her ribbons, "you’re a tough crowd, and I love a challenge." She took a step back, giving a dramatic twirl before letting her ribbons cascade down her arms. Kai knew exactly how to handle people like Nasuri—those who tried to act like they were above the fun. It wasn’t her first time breaking down walls.
"Why so serious?" she teased. "You’re at a party, not a council meeting. Loosen up a little. I promise it won’t hurt." Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in slightly. "Or maybe you’re just afraid you might actually enjoy yourself?" She could tell Nasuri wasn’t like the others in the crowd. There was a tension about her that intrigued her even more. She didn’t need to win Nasuri over, but it would be a personal victory if she did.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:53 am
"Afraid? Hardly." Nasuri’s eyes narrowed at Kaikamahine’s playful taunts, though a small smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. She could feel Kai’s energy seeping into her, as irritating as it was. There was something about the performer’s audacity that made Nasuri curious, even if she hated to admit it. "You seem very sure of yourself," Nasuri remarked, watching as the ribbons danced in Kai’s hands. "But I don’t see the point in all this… performance. What are you really after?"
Nasuri’s words were blunt, her tone as sharp as ever. She wasn’t someone who got caught up in the games of flirtation or theatrics. But there was something she couldn’t deny—Kai had a presence that was hard to ignore. Still, Nasuri wasn’t going to let her guard down so easily. She was here for business, not entertainment.
"If you’re trying to get under my skin, it won’t work," she added, her voice steady but with a hint of a challenge.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:54 am
"Oh, I’m not trying to get under your skin. I’m just having fun." Kaikamahine’s grin widened at Nasuri’s response. She tilted her head, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "But I’m glad to see you’re not completely immune to a little challenge." She took a step back, giving Nasuri some space, though her ribbons still swirled around her like a playful breeze. "What am I after? That’s easy. I’m after the same thing everyone here is—enjoying the moment, feeling alive." Kaikamahine knew her theatrics could come off as shallow, but she wasn’t just about the show. Life was too short to be anything but bold. She looked at Nasuri, her gaze softening just a fraction.
"You don’t have to like it, but you could at least try to enjoy yourself. It’s not about being serious all the time." She twirled away, letting her ribbons dance in the air. "But if you really want to know what I’m after… maybe stick around and find out."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:57 am
Nasuri watched as Kaikamahine twirled away, her mind churning over the performer's words. There was something about her carefree spirit that intrigued her, even though she tried to deny it. She wasn’t used to people like Kaikamahine—people who embraced the moment without overthinking it. Maybe she had a point. Maybe she did take things too seriously sometimes. She sighed, glancing around the party. The nobles were chatting, laughing, and enjoying themselves, all caught up in their own little world. And here she was, standing at the edge, as she always did.
"I suppose I could stay a little longer," Nasuri muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Her gaze drifted back to Kai, still the center of attention, still glowing with energy. There was a part of her that wanted to understand that kind of freedom, even if just for a moment. With a final sigh, she made her way toward Kai, her steps slow but deliberate. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so unbearable after all.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:58 am
Kaikamahine’s eyes flickered with triumph as she noticed Nasuri moving closer. A small victory, but a satisfying one nonetheless.
"See? I knew you’d come around," she teased lightly as Nasuri approached. She flicked one of her ribbons playfully, catching the light as it shimmered in the air. "I promise I won’t make you join in," she added with a wink. "Unless, of course, you want to." Kai could feel the tension in Nasuri, but she also sensed that the woman was beginning to open up, even if just a crack. That was all she needed.
"You know, sometimes it’s good to let go," she continued, her tone softening slightly. "It doesn’t make you weak. It just means you’re living a little." She held out one of her ribbons toward Nasuri, a small gesture of invitation. "What do you say? Try it just once. You might surprise yourself."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:59 am
Nasuri hesitated, eyeing the ribbon that Kai held out. Her instincts told her to decline, to keep her distance, but something about the other woman's confidence made her pause. Maybe, just for tonight, she could let her guard down a little. She took the ribbon, feeling the smooth fabric between her fingers.
"Just this once," she said, her tone almost begrudging, but there was a hint of curiosity in her voice. As she held the ribbon, she glanced at Kai, who was watching her with that same playful, confident energy. Nasuri felt a strange sense of ease wash over her. It wasn’t her usual comfort zone, but there was something liberating about it.
"I’m not making any promises," she said, her voice still guarded but softer now. But for the first time that night, Nasuri allowed herself to smile—just a little. Maybe this performer wasn’t so bad after all.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:00 am
Kaikamahine's eyes sparkled as she watched Nasuri take the ribbon, her own heart doing a little leap of triumph. She hadn’t expected the cold, guarded woman to actually engage. But now that she had, Kaikamahine was determined to make this moment count.
"No promises needed," she said with a grin. "Just feel it. Let it flow." With that, Kaikamahine demonstrated a slow, graceful motion, allowing the ribbon to spiral gently in the air. She wasn’t showing off this time; instead, she was guiding Nasuri, showing her how the simplest movements could turn into something beautiful.
"You don’t have to twirl or spin like me," Kai added, her tone sincere. "Just let it move with you. Let it follow your rhythm." There was no pressure in her voice, no insistence. This was about Nasuri finding her own way, and she was genuinely curious to see what that looked like. The performer took a step back, giving Nasuri space to explore the motion on her own terms.
"See?" she encouraged softly. "It’s not about the audience. It’s just about you."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:01 am
Nasuri felt awkward at first, her movements stiff and unsure. She wasn’t used to this kind of thing—she wasn’t used to letting go. But with Kai’s words echoing in her mind, she tried to relax, allowing the ribbon to glide between her fingers. She mimicked Kai’s motion, albeit slower and more cautious. The ribbon danced lightly through the air, tracing gentle curves in its path. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t have to be. For the first time in a long while, Nasuri wasn’t concerned about doing something right or wrong. She was just… moving.
"Is this really what you do?" Nasuri asked, a bit of curiosity slipping through her guarded tone. "Is this how you live?" She didn’t mean it as a judgment, more of a genuine question. She couldn’t imagine living life the way the other woman did—so free, so unconcerned with expectations. It seemed impossible, yet here she was, doing something completely out of character, and it didn’t feel as wrong as she expected. Nasuri flicked the ribbon once more, letting it ripple through the air before glancing at Kaikamahine.
"I don’t know how you do it."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:02 am
Kaikamahine’s smile widened, but it wasn’t her usual playful grin. This time, it was softer, more genuine. She could see that Nasuri was trying, and that meant more to her than any grand performance ever could.
"Honestly?" she replied, her tone gentle. "It’s not about knowing how. It’s just about deciding that you can. I don’t think about it too much—I just let myself be." Kai watched as Nasuri moved the ribbon again, this time with more fluidity. She could tell the other woman was loosening up, little by little, and it made her heart swell with a strange sense of pride. Maybe Nasuri wasn’t an ice queen. Maybe she just needed a little push.
"I know it seems wild, living like this," Kai continued, her voice calm. "But it’s freeing. I don’t worry about what others think, because at the end of the day, the only person I need to impress is myself." She stepped a little closer, not to crowd Nasuri, but to offer support. "And trust me, once you start living for yourself, you’ll wonder why you ever did anything else."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:03 am
Nasuri paused at Kaikamahine’s words, feeling the weight of them settle in her mind. Living for yourself. It sounded so foreign, so… selfish, in a way. She had always been taught to put her family first, to uphold her responsibilities without question. But now, standing here with the ribbon in her hand, she wondered what it would be like to live differently. She moved the ribbon again, more confidently this time. It flowed through the air, smooth and light, almost as if it were an extension of her. It felt strange, but not in a bad way. It felt… liberating.
"Maybe," Nasuri said quietly, her voice thoughtful. "Maybe there’s something to that." For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine it—a life where she didn’t have to carry the weight of expectations, where she could be as free as Kai. It was a distant thought, but it wasn’t entirely impossible. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a balance between duty and freedom. She glanced at Kaikamahine, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You make it look so easy."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:04 am
"Easy? Ha, I wish!" Kai chuckled softly, a lightness in her voice. She shook her head, the ribbons in her hand fluttering as she spoke. "Trust me, it took time. I wasn’t always this confident, you know? But once I learned to stop worrying about what everyone else thought, it got easier." She noticed Nasuri’s small smile and felt a rush of warmth. It was subtle, but it was there—Nasuri was starting to let down her walls, even if just a little. That was progress, and she would take it.
"Thing is, it’s not about being fearless or perfect," she continued, her tone soft but firm. "It’s about letting yourself mess up, try new things, and just… be." She twirled her ribbon again, more playfully this time, showing Nasuri that it didn’t always have to be graceful or serious. "Look at me. I make mistakes all the time. I’m dramatic, I take up too much space, and sometimes I get it wrong. But at least I’m living the way I want to." Kai leaned in slightly, her eyes twinkling. "You’re already doing it, you know? You’re letting go. Just a little bit more, and you might surprise yourself."
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:05 am
Nasuri listened quietly, watching the way Kai moved with such ease, her words flowing like the ribbon she twirled. It was hard to imagine that someone like her—so confident, so full of life—had ever struggled with anything. But Kai’s honesty struck a chord. Maybe no one had it all figured out. Maybe everyone was just trying to live the best way they knew how.
"I’ve spent my whole life doing what’s expected of me," Nasuri said slowly, her voice unusually open. "I’ve never really thought about what I want." She looked at the ribbon in her hand, feeling its lightness again. It was a simple thing, really, but in this moment, it felt like a symbol of something bigger. "Maybe I don’t have to know what I want right away," she continued, almost to herself. "Maybe it’s okay to just… figure it out as I go." She flicked the ribbon again, this time with more purpose, watching it swirl gracefully in the air. For the first time that night, Nasuri didn’t feel the weight of expectations pressing down on her. "I guess you’re right," she admitted, glancing at Kai. "Maybe I’ll surprise myself."
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