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 Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 12:18 pm
Yes he had come back, that was true. Aseara was scared, scared that Nuri was leaving, but scared of telling him everything. If she told him this there would be nothing left, no more secrets that he did not know about her. Her heart was still racing and it jumped when he grabbed her hands, she couldn’t go back. He had to understand, he had to know. Her grip on his hands was fierce as if she never wanted to let him go, part of that was truth but the other part was her fear.
Don’t live in the past she reminded herself.
“When I was young,” Aseara began, her voice trembling as she tried to keep it calm. “My father left to join the Oban and Matori War. He left my mother and I alone, but my mother she could not live seeing my father gone for so long. She wanted to make sure he stayed alive. So she left me to go and find him at the border.” She recalled that night like it had happened yesterday, her mother telling her everything was going to be fine. Promising she would return as soon as the war was over with her father.
“My mother handed me over to a woman who was taking care of other children whose parents had off to war. The orphans you could call us. We lived on the road from that moment on and we were okay for a while. I mean we camped out a lot and travelled a lot, got to see much but we never stayed in once place at once.” The beginning of that journey had been a good one; she had fond memories of that one, until things had started to go horribly bad for the small company.
“Then the war ended and we had to head back home, give back the children. By then we were starting to run out of things, they took less and less care of us. They left children whose parents did not return in villages before leaving. They didn’t care if we lived or died, they just left them there.” It had been horrible to watch, Aseara frowned as she remembered. Many of the younglings had cried, some running after the caravan so they would not have to be separated. She wondered if they had survived out there, it had been horrible.
“When we got to my village, I had no one waiting for me. Absolutely no one. I was an orphan for real this time. The woman who had taken care of us on our voyage didn’t even want to take me in; I moved into my parents old place and tried to repair it to the best of my abilities. You learn a thing or two on the road. That woman was my neighbor and checked in on me once in a while but I had to earn my food and take care of myself. She taught me to dance and that’s how I survived. When Afsana came, she saved me Nuri.” She paused.
“She truly saved my life. I was cleaned, dressed, fed, and educated. I could not have asked for anything better. I made a deal with her when I went to help in the healer tents, she let me go if I promised that I would never step foot outside of Oba ever again.” Aseara sighed again. “I would have wanted to come with you Nuri, but I will never break that promise. Oba is my everything now.” That thought didn’t sadden her anymore, she hated everything outside of Oba’s walls.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 12:54 pm
This time when Nuri was silent, it was because he knew he needed to be. The grip on his hands was enough to let him know how much Aseara would struggle with whatever she needed to say, and he simply would be a strong presence. He held her back, though not as tight, and leaned close to listen so she wouldn't feel pressured to speak up.
When she began about her past, he knew that this was something she seemed to only do for him. While he showed emotion only for her, she unveiled her past only for him. It was humbling, and overwhelming, and all he could do was hold on and listen.
As she spoke of her journey through the war, he couldn't believe all she had been through. Growing up with a somewhat loving family, with a father who was overbearing and a mother who coddled him, he couldn't even place himself in her footsteps. She had grown up alone, determined to live and forced to sacrifice everything to just see the next day. All of her strength made sense, but he couldn't really understand how she was so happy with such a past.
Maybe this was why she was so heartbroken when he said he needed to leave. Yes, it did make sense. Her mother leaving, her father gone, and people who were meant to care not giving her time out of their day, he could see why she had her tears.
When she finished, he was overcome and filled with silence. To show he was still with her, he squeezed gently on her hands once more, and smoothed the skin with his thumbs as he remembered his mother doing ages ago. It helped him focus his words, and try and figure out a way to help her.
"I admire you, Aseara" he broke the silence at last, "I have always admired you. You have always been quick to open your heart and not judge, and are fierce with your passion. It is something I have never been able to do, and still am unable to do. You are strong, because you are willing to get hurt for those you care about. You are willing to fight a different war than the one I face."
He looked down at their hands, watching as his dark skin contrasted so much with her own. Oba was her everything now, Oba was her home.
"I am not a man of words or emotions, yet with you I can be. You give me the strength to find myself, each and every time I see you. I would never give that up. I would never give you up. You are-"
He cut himself off, and tried to think of what he could say to express that, before taking a deep breath and looking up at her, "You are my everything. You are my closest friend and my greatest ally. When I come home, I come home to you."
Feeling heat cross his cheeks at his confession, he leaned back and cleared his throat, "So we are going to figure this out. We will find a way to make it through this so you can experience every step of my journey as if you were there."
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:37 pm
“Admire me?” Aseara didn't think he admired her and yet he had said the words. It made her smile and even laugh a little. He made her happy.
She wanted to cry again, happy tears this time. She didn't know how they were going to stay in touch, she'd never really had to stay in touch with anyone before. The thought scared her a little, but like Nuri had said. They were going to figure it all out. Together. It relieved her, but she could still feel her own nerves and fears making her tense. She was going to have to work through those issues if she wanted this to work. She didn't know how, but she would not have another break down once Nuri was truly gone.
“Okay, where do we start?” She did not release his hands even when he moved back as his cheeks reddened. She wanted to feel his calloused hands, his warmth before it was gone. “You haven't told me how long you'll be gone.” What if he was gone for years and years? Aseara didn't exactly know how this kind of mission stuff worked, surely they couldn't keep him away that long? She still wasn't sure about all of this, but she wanted to trust Nuri. She'd cry later about it when she was alone, she'd done enough crying in front of him for the day.
“Also, if it's not too imposing. I'd like to make a request.” Aseara didn't know if it was a reasonable request, but he was a beast tamer and well, she was going to feel alone. She wanted a companion, something that would remind her of him. She didn't know what kind of animals were out there, she'd seen plenty on her journey younger, but Nuri would know what would make a good companion for her.
Truly however, if Aseara had been able to she would have gone with him. If it weren't for the fact that if she did leave with him she was walking away from all the wonderful things she had done and squired here in Oba. It also meant she would have nothing to return too once his mission was over and she didn't want to be a burden for him. Plus, Oban woman were strong and independent, she wanted to be just like them. Perhaps she would seek out someone who could teach her a few fighting moves. It would keep her busy and safe with Nuri gone.
Yes, that is what she would do. She would make him proud of her with everything she wanetd to accomplish when he returned.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:33 pm
He let her hold his hands, and continued to appreciate the connection they shared. It reminded him of their relationship. They were always pulling at different ends, but still connected by the smallest part. They would always come back to each other and support each other, no matter what happened.
"I don't know how long it will take. Months, maybe a year. It depends on how quickly we can find all of the creatures in the lands. I'd like to at least tame or interact with one from each area if I can. But if it is too long, odds are we will come back and report before moving on."
It had been the first time he thought about how long this would take, and all of the things he would miss. His silence allowed her to make a request, and he peered at her curiously.
"Ask anything, and I will try to fufil it if it is in my power." He responded immediately, not even blinking.
They were both strong, and they would make it through this. Odds were, he would finally be able to stay home, outside of wars, once this mission was complete. His hope would be that this would allow him a solid place among the masters, one that would have security and safety, as well as a demand to stay in the capital.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 10:47 am
A year was a long time, a very long time indeed. Aseara didn’t know how long she would be able to keep distracted enough not to fret over Nuri’s absence.
“A year is long,” she murmured quietly, contemplating. “Moving on to what? You mean like leave again?” Did that mean every time they visited a new area they came back to report? She didn’t know if that was what he meant, but if that was the case then it made things not as long perhaps. Granted if he was gone a year and came back only for a week it would not exactly be that great either. A lot could happen in a year; surely they’d be able to stay home for an extended period of time. Aseara wasn’t sure however, she had no idea how the army worked.
“Would you be able to bring something back for me?” She didn’t know if it was possible. “Just a small creature, nothing big or Afsana would have my head.” And she would sadly have to get rid of it. “Or send me something?”
“Which reminds me, will we keep in touch?” She didn’t know how that was going to be possible; there was no way Aseara would be able to find out where Nuri was staying. She wouldn’t move so at least he could send her letters, but she wanted to do the same. She didn’t mind if she paid extra to have a courier find where Nuri was staying so he could get her letters, it would certainly be an expensive thing to do. Aseara had saved up money, money she had wanted to use to find her parents, but… Nuri was more important now and so she would rather spend the money in someone then ghosts of her past.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:29 am
"If we stop to visit, it will only be a stop. The idea is to cover as much ground as possible and get as many familiars as possible so we can fully train when we do return." Nuri clarified with a patient tone, he could tell Aseara wanted to know any and all details now, and if anything was uncertain it would only further stress or upset her.
When she turned around the conversation to getting her a pet, he let out a soft laugh.
"Of course, anything small enough will most likely not be used in war, so I can easily bring it back for you." And if he didn't find anything, sending her a gift was quite reasonable. Odds were he would do both anyway if he had it in his power.
When she asked about keeping in touch, however, he was at a bit of a loss.
"I...am not sure how that will work. With us moving from place to place, only the Army will really know our current location. Odds are if I send you anything, I will be gone by the time you will be able to send it back. Considering they give us the orders, they would have the most precise location for sending a courier."
He wondered if she could approach the Palace and send something, or maybe it would be better to have someone else collect any letters she may wish to send.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:16 pm
A stop was not enough time to even see him when he would be in Oba, Aseara sighed a bit. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought then. Again, she told herself that Nuri had to do this and she couldn’t just sit her and whine about it since it was petty. There couldn’t be that many familiars out in Tendaji right? She’d heard Zena was a cold place, surely nothing lived out there. Although… Would they travel to Yael? And what about Alkidikes lands? What would happen then? It didn’t seem like a very safe trip at all.
“Will you visit the new land Yael? What about Alkidike lands? Those places can’t be safe.” She said a little incredulous, but she had a feeling he would say yes. Only because they were potential enemies and they needed the knowledge about them to defeat them.
“That’s very kind thank you.” That made her a little happier at least; she wondered what he would bring her back. Hopefully, nothing from Yael, she didn’t want anything from that place.
“That’s what I thought too.” Their only other option was a handpicked courier, but event hen Aseara didn’t know how she would find Nuri’s location. Not unless she knew someone else within the army who was willing to help them out and even then she knew most in the army didn’t like strangers. It almost seemed like an impossible task, but she did want to work out this problem before he left.
“There’s no one you know who would be willing to help?” Perhaps one of the girls who had connections would be willing to lend her a hand. She knew a few catered to some of the generals, it couldn’t be that hard to get information out of them… Aseara even knew those that were doing more than they were supposed to. “I can always ask around, I know some of the girls have some connections.” Aseara knew it wasn’t the safest way though.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:46 pm
He continued to subconsciously grip and rub his thumb on her hand, trying to sooth her with the contact as she took a moment to think. As she asked the question, it was his turn to ponder over his answer.
"I am sure we will travel to Yael, although more of the army will join us as it will be a bit of a scouting event. We wont really travel to the Alkidike island, it is too soon after the fighting and they already don't like foreigners."
He was happy to see that she was becoming comfortable, or at least complacent with the arrangements.
"There are a few who will know of my location. Saraf will most likely be aware of the situation, he was the one you met during the festival. There also is a woman named Karothdra, but...she probably wont be as easy to approach."
He wasn't as familiar with Karo's tenancies, and based on her previous actions, she might not take to being a courier or errand girl. In fact, Saraf would most likely refuse as well. He let out a sigh.
"I'm sure if you walked in, no one would really give a fuss..."
She'd get a lot of eyes, but Aseara really wasn't the type to worry too much about that.
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:58 am
If this good reunion had not been ruined by horrible news, Aseara would have relished it for a long time. She did not want Nuri to go away, nor did she want him to let go of her. Both of those things ending was inevitable though and that made her sad.
“The Yaeli kind of… Frighten me, they don’t look normal.” Their glowing eyes just didn’t seem normal to her and here Nuri was about to go and scout out where they came from. As for his friends who knew where he would be… Aseara didn’t really hold any hope there. Saraf hadn’t seemed very warm to her to the point where she was sure he probably didn’t like her. If this Karothdra woman was just as hard to approach she wouldn’t even seek her out. Saraf she might try… But Aseara had no idea where to even find him much less where to begin to look.
“Walked into the palace?” Her eyes grew big in surprise. “You can’t be serious…” She doubted they’d ever take her seriously if she did show up asking for his position; much less tell her where Nuri was. “They probably wouldn’t even give me the time of day…”
No, they were going to have to do this another way.
“Did you want a small private tour of the Red Amaryllis?” She wanted to spend as much time with him and also change the subject.
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 11:05 am
He hadn't gotten the chance to escort the main party south, which was fine by him. However he did hear quite a bit about the new group of people discovered, a dark skinned race with strange, glowing eyes. It was something he was bound to see on his own when he traveled south, as the army really was curious about the tribe discovered.
"I'm not going down to fight, and hopefully I will only find creatures there and not Yaeli." He responded to her concerns with a soft smile, before chuckling at her reaction to his suggestion about the palace. Yes, it probably wasn't the most wise idea, but she wouldn't be attacked.
At her suggestion for the tour, he dropped her hand and pushed his chair back, moving to stand and offering his hand again to help her as well.
"As long as it wont trouble you, I don't mind, I have the rest of the day to myself..."
And, if she wanted to spend more time with him, he wouldn't argue.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:02 am
Aseara somehow doubted that they wouldn’t encounter the Yaeli, but as long as he was safe that’s all that really mattered. She wanted him returned in one piece after all.
“I don’t mind at all.” Aseara grabbed his hand and stood, stretching her limbs a bit before she hooked her arm into his. “Most of the staff is sleeping right now anyways. I don’t usually have much to do around this time.” She had already finished her day tasks so that left her plenty of time before she took her usual nap of the day to be ready for the evening.
“Let’s start with the kitchens; I’d like to grab a quick snack.” She led him down the hallway and back down the building through the stairs that staff used. They encountered a few cleaners who gave them odd looks but for the most part no one bothered them. Once in the large kitchens, Aseara let go of Nuri’s arm so they could navigate more freely around the busy cooks who were prepping the evening meals. She made her way over to the fruit baskets and plucked one.
“The kitchen is almost always running,” she told Nuri once she was by his ide again. “I’m surprised Afsana hasn’t created a restaurant to be honest.”
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:13 am
Adjusting slightly so her arm was secure in his own, it left him quite close to her side. They weren't hip to hip, and actually it was an appropriate position, but maybe he was closer than he normally would be with a regular Oban.
Nuri didn't comment when she offered the kitchen, but he did nod and let her lead the way. Occasionally, his eyes would wander to the others they passed, but he mostly ignore them for his companion. Once they entered the kitchens, he let his own arm fall and stood a step or two behind her as she navigated around the cooks. Familiar with the occupation, he too made sure to steer as clear as he could so he wouldn't interrupt their job.
When they made it to the basket, he grabbed one as well and chewed on the juicy fruit.
"Wouldn't a kitchen put more pressure on the girls?" He asked slowly, "Considering they work late in the night. Either she'd have to hire more or adjust the schedules...but."
Pausing, he nodded, "With how popular this place is, I'm sure you would gt enough customers during the day as well. Maybe more depending on the tone of the restaurant."
If it wasn't as forbidden, but still had the lure of pretty hostesses, maybe more would come during the day.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:26 am
“Afsana has hired help. The girls sleep all day so they wouldn’t be able to cook. Plus, teaching them to cook would be too hard.” No Afsana far too enjoyed having her girls learn the finer arts of reading and writing to impress her clientele. More money that way for her really, and more money meant she could hire kitchen cooks and cleaners. The girls that were no longer needed tried to make themselves useful in the kitchens or cleaning staff, they made sure to slowly disappear for fear of getting kicked out. If they were useful at least they were able to stay.
It was a sad reality that Aseara wasn’t looking forward to facing one day.
“If it had a better reputation perhaps.” Aseara murmured before taking a bite of the fruit, she grabbed Nuri’s arm again and moved them out of the busy kitchens into the quiet halls once more. There was no luster or extravagance here, it was kept clean but that was it. She was heading for the common rooms this time, where most of the girls spent their free time when they weren’t working. It was a large room scattered with cousins and piles of books. There were a few board games too neatly piled on shelves.
“And this is where I spent most of my free time! Well between here and the room where we can practice dancing.”
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:33 am
Nuri glanced around at the quiet room, taking it all in a long moment. It was simple, and looked comfortable, as well as well worn. He could picture a bunch of people spending time in the area, talking or playing the games that were lying about. It was a shame, however, that they were restricted to here or their rooms. There was so much more of Oba for them to see and enjoy.
"It seems...cozy." He said after a long moment, trying to put into works his thoughts, "...like a lot of people spend time here..."
Clearing his throat, he turned toward Aseara again, "Do you not get time to explore the city? A day off perhaps?" He knew she went out to shop, but he never heard her really speaking of Oba outside of the market.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:41 am
Aseara chuckled softly.
“Most of the girls don’t like to go out much. Almost all are foreign.” They didn’t like getting looked at oddly, or getting stopped in the street. They felt safer here, safer in their gilded prison. Aseara thought it was a shame, the girls ought to get out more but she also knew Afsana liked it this way better. Easier to get her eyes on her prize when they were closed to home. “We get about a day off, sometimes two if you know your way around getting a good schedule down.” Aseara had gotten quite good at it and usually had two days off and was teaching the other girls how to do so as well.
“Let me show you my room.” She’d recently been switched to a larger one with an amazing view of the city and she wanted to show it to him.
Down the halls they went again, this time up a couple of floors until they reached her door. Aseara released Nuri and slide her door open before stepping inside. Her room was clean, there was a bed to one side, a rug, a desk and she’d pushed next to the window so she could sit on the window sill whenever she wanted. It wasn’t much larger than the other rooms; she barely spent time in here. But there were a few odds and ends scattered here and there hung on the walls or neatly placed on shelves. There was a clock that hung on one of the walls, the only remaining symbol of her Wind tribe.
“So this is it.”
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