[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/JPaWe7r.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjY2LmFiOWIzNy5XbUZ5YVc1aElFRnNMVTVoWkdWeS4w/italianno.regular.webp[/img] [hr] [b]Interacting with:[/b] Yalen [@pantothenic], Jocasta & Escarra [@Force and Fury], Ayla [@Ti], Kaspar [@Wolfieh], Ysilla [@Pirouette] [b]Location:[/b] Torragonese Desert [hr][/center] [hider=The Two Sisters] The stables held a good dozen horses, bred for the desert and slightly bigger than average. Most of them were brown with long, unkept manes, except for a couple which Zarina had just recently brushed. There were also a few goats in a pen near the entrance, likely for a steady supply of milk. There were four, all sticking their heads out of the wooden planks that kept from leaving, curiously looking over at the new human that had entered their home and giving them head scratches beforehand. They weren’t calling for her– they just stared and flocked together, like they enjoyed her presence. The horses were also calm when she approached them, some even stretching their necks and flapping their lips to get her attention and hoping for some food. Zarina was currently kneeling behind one of the mares. An older beauty, still in shape for duty but one could tell her age by the shape and colour of her teeth. Quite yellow and beginning to ‘split’ in a way. The mare’s hoof was over her knee, hoof pick on one hand and her other holding the strand of hair just over the foot. A routine cleanup, one she really put her back into. It made her happy, and even better: It calmed her down. In turn, the beasts were serene, without a single neigh of protest. But then she heard an all too familiar squawking from the nearby window. The Virangish girl’s features distorted from a composed and relaxed neutral to a mild scowl. The hoof was allowed to drop and she stood up, giving the brave horse a little tap on the behind and a kiss to the side before she moved to the front of the pen so she could see the inevitable frame of her sister and attack the muck under the front hooves, [color=C78A2C]”Kol Khara*.”[/color] she responds with a restrained but whiny tone. She rolled her eyes and exhaled from her nose in frustration. It didn’t stop her from going about her task. The animals noticed the newcomer, and some of them stomped in light agitation. A couple of goats even ‘baah’d a little loud and the nearest horse grunted. Maybe they sensed something strange? Nothing Zarina would find too odd– maybe they had the same tastes as her. [color=C78A2C]”So,”[/color] she too spoke in her mother tongue, [color=C78A2C]”You come to the stables, for once, as a sort of unpredictable move to get me, huh?”[/color] she gives a glance to her sister from under the pampered horse, a gaze that didn’t hold much annoyance or even anger, though she definitely didn’t try to be even remotely welcoming, [color=C78A2C]”Pass me the brush, to your left.”[/color] she directs her eyes to said brush to make it clearer, and the order wasn’t heavy or loaded with any emotion. A mere routine request. Ysilla maintained a lifeless expression from her sister’s snap. She had grown accustomed to rude receptions and made a habit to never give them anything. This was different in a way and a mild annoyance began to surface. Why did she even bother with her sister anyway? Why now? What exactly did she want to do here with her? Unknown. It was a compulsion that just took over and now since she made the bed, she was going to lie in it. It was Ysilla’s turn to respond but she carefully considered her words and opted to buy herself time. The puppeteer would raise her hand in acknowledgement at the request and would send Hoopoe to fly over and grab the brush with her talons and fly over to dump the brush in Zarina’s hand. The stable held silence, aside from any audible discomfort of the animals or Hoopoe’s flight and cawing, imitating a real bird. To get her? The wording of her sister’s comment was simmering in her head as she considered the meaning. [color=6B4D8A]”Such a trifling conspiracy to waste your breath on.”[/color] A scoff but with Ysilla’s emotionally muted tone, it was hardly noticeable but there was indignation in her tone. She never liked when her sister accused her of something. [color=6B4D8A]”Do you feel threatened? Like I am about to [i]get[/i] you.”[/color] She aired snidely. The unnatural clanks from the wooden puppets broke Zarina’s focus on her current manicure endeavour. A glance of subtle revulsion was dedicated to the marionette and she swiftly nabbed the brush from it. She did not like the imitation, not one bit, [color=C78A2C]”Thanks.”[/color] she then passes the brush over some of the fur near the horse’s knee, scraping off some dried dirt that had accumulated there before standing back up. The next task was the mane, and she’d use the underside of the brush to begin straightening the knots and removing the scarce debris. [color=C78A2C]”Threatened?”[/color] she shakes her head, her tone matching the monotony of her sister’s, [color=C78A2C]”Just wondering what you want. For you to come alllll this way to the stinking stables to talk to me. I must’ve fucked up real bad, or something’s up.”[/color] variation in her tone returned, showing some degree of frustration. But she also seemed a tad intrigued, as her gaze deviated more and more from the animal and dedicated more interest to the twin, [color=C78A2C]”I’ve been doing good, by the way.”[/color] Once more Ysilla stood still, her form tucked under cloak so even her idling finger taps on her thighs would be unnoticed. Her glare never leaves her sister. She was silent but without something to act as an excuse to delay her response, she answered after a few moments. [color=6B4D8A]”Guilty conscience?”[/color] Ysilla robatically asked, tilting her head to one side inquisitively. [color=6B4D8A]”Or do we only converse amid peril?”[/color] [color=C78A2C]”Bit dramatic.”[/color] Zarina is snappy in her response, [color=C78A2C]”We got through the worst. I think.”[/color] A question that Ysilla didn’t care to hear answered. She knew her sister stormed to the stables for a reason. A reason she was not forthcoming with and the lack of trust was bothersome. [color=6B4D8A]”The former, I suspect. You did, afterall, retreat here.”[/color] She jabbed, ignoring her sister’s wellbeing comment as that was only a poor attempt at distraction, she surmised. Zarina exhaled from her nostrils, lips tightening and her repeated strokes coming to a stop. There was still some mane to go, so she clearly wasn’t finished, [color=C78A2C]”If it’s the case, what can you do about it, Ysilla?”[/color] her gaze is now hidden behind the beast’s long neck, her expression barely distinguishable, but a very good listener could hear a brief grit of the teeth and slightly heaving of her chest, [color=C78A2C]”You never were a people person.”[/color] she pauses, [color=C78A2C]”But I guess neither was I.”[/color] Ysilla had no mare in front of her, no task to distract her. When she spoke, she wanted to know all about them. Her sister was no exception and the little, unseen reactions betraying Zarina’s apparent composure. She knew not to push her luck too much. They were at least talking, though Ysilla’s own composure started to crack. She was hurt hearing her sister immediately discount the opportunity that she provided. A space to vent freely like any true sisterhood in the plays she had seen. How could they be called sisters like this? On edge all the time. Ysilla stood in silence, her mind rapidly shuffling through responses that she could say. She couldn’t think of anything to offer, creating the lengthiest silence in their conversation so far. That was until Ysilla finally offered something that was on her mind. [color=6B4D8A]”The Torragonese have a stage play with a narrative around horses.”[/color] Ysilla began, diverting into reciting a play or story she knew, most relating to the situation she finds herself in. She often did this when she couldn’t find anything to say. [color=6B4D8A]”Finding the finest horse, fit for a King. Specifically a replacement for his old war steed.”[/color] Ysilla finally moved and began to shuffle over the nearest horse and she watched it as it began to rustle nervously. [color=6B4D8A]”[i]Gran Dia[/i]. You remember this one?”[/color] She announced the title of the play just as she reached out for the horse. It jumped and snapped in clear agitation, prompting Ysilla to recall her hand and fold herself back up in her cloak. A quiet resignation that she wouldn’t be able to pet the horse. The horse calmed but was still visibly disturbed. [color=6B4D8A]”He never found a better horse than the one he had.”[/color] Without any proclamation, Ysilla turned and began to head out. Hoopoe dropping for her perch and flying out the window that she had come in. The long pause had given the time Zarina needed to finish pampering the mare. The mane was clean and made ten years younger, while the rest of the fur was brushed. Ysilla then began to speak, mentioning a play that both of them knew, although she didn’t stop her sister from retelling it. It was one of her favourites. She reached for a sachet she left at the corner of the pen, taking half of an old carrot from it. The now cleaned horse turned her head, likely recognizing the dull smell and the sound of the bag opening, and began flapping her lips in anticipation. Zarina didn’t tease the beast and offered her flat palm to be felt out by the lips. The carrot was quickly gobbled up and munched away, as a reward for being such a good girl. Ysilla attempted to connect with one of the horses, or at least get a little closer, and was rebuffed. Zarina watched curiously, still silent. But when her sister had finished her story with an ending that warmed the teen’s heart, she stepped out of the pen, [color=C78A2C]”Hey.”[/color] she called out, her voice loud but tone softer than what she had been using during the exchange, [color=C78A2C]”Come.”[/color] she beckons her sister with an inviting gesture and then offers the other half of the carrot, [color=C78A2C]”Flat hand. Go slowly. Talk to her quietly.”[/color] she forced a mild smile, trying to be encouraging, and stuck by her sister’s side. The horse remained docile for now, although it was clearly eyeing Ysilla with caution. The puppeteer froze in the threshold of the doorway as her sister called to her. She turned witnessing a beckoning gesture and the offer of a carrot. If there was any way Ysilla could express concern, this was it as her eyes darted back to the horse watching just as carefully as the animal did. Silently accepting the offer, Ysilla proceeded over to her sister, palming the carrot and following the instructions to the letter. She… didn’t know how to talk to animals and her mind settled on the first thing she could see. The carrot. [color=6B4D8A]”Do you enjoy carrots? I enjoy carrots.”[/color] She muttered under her breath, stepping lightly on her approach. [color=6B4D8A]”Carrots are often put in a stew. Those carrots taste best.”[/color] This felt humiliating and a rosy color blushed on Ysilla’s cheeks as she stuck out her hand and offered it to the horse. Zarina could not help but giggle at Ysilla’s choice of words. Not in a condescending or mocking manner. It was cute. When her sister got close enough for the horse to reach out of the pen’s gate and take a sniff, the more animal-versed of the two stepped forward and stood by the horse’s long visage, one hand rested over the neck just under the mane, and the other over the cheek, [color=C78A2C]”That’s it.”[/color] she whispered to her sister while also providing some comfort to the beast. It still looked reluctant, but eventually it began to flap its lips and reach for the strange human’s palm. A little bit of saliva was left onto Ysilla’s hand, and if she kept her palm still she would get a little, gooey massage. Zarina did not dare to tell her to remove her hand, as it was quite amusing to see. Munching away, the younger mare appeared to be relaxed now that the odd human had reassured her and given her a pleasant treat, [color=C78A2C]”I believe her name is …”[/color] she squints with her head tilted, [color=C78A2C]”Fiorella. And she seems to like you.”[/color] she didn’t have to force a smile this time, [color=C78A2C]”Maybe you and Fiorella can become friends when we make the trip, hmm?”[/color] She had never been able to do that. Feed a horse by hand. Even as a child, Ysilla had always put animals on edge and it seemed like she’d always approach them, it would be the wrong way causing them to flee or fight. Fiorella seems to have been the first animal in a long time that was willing to put up with her. The resulting feeling was unexpected. [color=6B4D8A]”Fiorella.”[/color] Ysilla muttered the mare’s name, unflinching as she was slobbered on, believing that was expected. Even after the horse had taken the carrot from her, Ysilla never moved her hand and let it sit there as if she expected something else to happen. [color=6B4D8A]”Perhaps we could.”[/color] Ysilla trailed off, thinking about her actually riding a horse. She never really rode before. Wait. Has she ridden before? She couldn’t remember, her mind stirred harshly as she tried to recall a memory that just wasn’t there anymore. Ysilla winced at the feeling in her head, and promptly retreated her hand tucking it under her cloak. [color=6B4D8A]”I have something to do. See you.”[/color] She stated abruptly and turned, headed out. [b]Translation:[/b] *Shut up/Eat shit [/hider] With Ysilla gone, Zarina could return to caring for the beasts she thought would be their trusted steeds for the next venture in the desert. The sunrays from the window Hoopoe had come from had since thinned, indicating the sun had moved a bit since she had last checked. It was nearly time, and hopefully the staff had the steed ready for them in the next minutes or so. A few more things were packed, notably her two blades and a second gourd containing a nice mix of the refuge’s coffee and the goat milk that had been freshly taken from the livestock. A Café au Lait. Finally, a very brief morning prayer– it wasn’t too unusual to get it done quickly, as few were morning people, and they were not in a place of worship. When Zarina walked out to meet the party, it would not be the guards and the head of the expedition that took her attention, but the animals. [color=C78A2C]”Camels. Huh.”[/color] She remarked, eyeing one of them that she would claim as her’s, [color=C78A2C]”Then a long journey is to be expected?”[/color] she inquired out loud, to see which one of the three unknowns would step up and present potential plans. It would likely be Escarra in this case, a man that definitely looked the part of a veteran desert ranger. All the while, she slid her hand over the snout of the tall breast, immediately letting the relatively young but strong male take a good sniff of her scent and grow used to her touch. Similar to a horse, it seemed to be more intrigued to see if there was food in her palm, flapping its lips a little over it before returning to its docile state, looking around and awaiting its rider’s orders, [color=C78A2C]”What’s your name, handsome guy, hmmm?”[/color] the camel’s neck got a couple of pats before she walked to the side and eventually hopped onto its back between the humps. Clearly she had rode one before, [color=C78A2C]”Daoud. That’s your name, okay?”[/color] [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d__XsxogYL8[/youtube][/center] The caravan was to set off, and Zarina’s experience as a horse rider made it easy for her to adapt and steer the camel to her liking, although she abstained from pushing it before a calm pace. It was also a habit of her’s to keep to the back, especially with inexperienced troop members and supply animals, [color=C78A2C]”That’s right, Yalen. Nice ‘n’ steady.”[/color] she called out to the young priest with a grin, [color=C78A2C]”Hold the reins tight, but don’t pull unless you wanna stop, yeah?”[/color] it looks like she had regained some vigour after spending some ‘alone’ time. Their first hurdle: The Halassa. Well, as much of a hurdle as they were the previous night. Zarina was ready to act, but the squad leader had his way of dealing with it. A method she approved of quite a bit and took note of the means to efficiently scare off these big beasts. But the real jump in adrenaline came with a Rhinodon of all things charging right for them. Why? It was anybody’s guess, but one would suspect it could be from invading some territory if it wasn’t madness. Without any comment on it being the latter, she started to manoeuvre her camel to steer clear of any path the angered beast would take. The fact that some of her peers were not too experienced with riding, however, prompted her to step up in this mini-crisis. [color=C78A2C]”Hey!”[/color] she called out, tapping the sides of Daoud with the soles of her boots to prompt a trop and maybe even a canter if it came to it. The Virangish girl even whistled to get the Rhino’s attention, but it seemed tunnel visioned. It didn’t help that riding a camel at such speeds for the first time stressed Zarina a tad, but she did her best to at least help her teammates not get run over by the bulky creature. Luckily, or maybe the contrary, a storm seemed to hit them minutes after this issue had occurred. A wall of sand was coming onto them, and it was enough to have the horned animal to cease its assault and seek safety. The group did the same in a mountain of sorts, taking refuge until it subsided just moments later. No casualties so far. When they emerged, an interesting sight came about from the residue of the storm: Ruins! Architecture Zarina didn’t recognize, although she did not think too much of it either. What took priority in her mind was a little break to eat and drink with plenty of shading to be had in these forgotten stone buildings. The animals were parked and given some feed, with Zarina lagging behind to ensure all was good with Daoud. [hider=Zarina Reconciles with Marceline] The storm had revealed ruins of a time long gone. With the announcement of a small break, it seemed everybody had the instinct of hunkering down under the ancient roofs, away from the merciless heat of the desert in mid-day. The animals did not mind, they were born for such climates, but even the Virangish needed time for siestas during such times. Before she could indulge in some of her packed food and a good caffeinated sip, Zarina made sure that Daoud– the camel she had baptised as such was properly bound in the shade and given food, although water was withheld for now (they were used to conserve it after all). A good few pats, a couple of whispers and then a general inspection of the others’ beasts later and she was off for a lunch break. She was late, much like another person that had been on the Virangish girl’s sleepless head. Marceline was not having a good time with the sand. Funny they had a Refuge in the middle of an ocean of the stuff, right? Hesitant, the taller teen watched for afar, water gourd in hand and taking in a sip. Sighing from her nostrils, she caved and approached the tethered she had not exactly treated nicely just a few hours ago, [color=C78A2C]”Wanna sip, Marci?”[/color] she asked while keeping a few feet of distance and holding back from directly offering help, [color=C78A2C]”Haven’t seen many drink up. No point saving up if we all get heat strokes.”[/color] she presented the gourd with an awkward smile, now a few steps closer. Now she was close enough to help without it seeming too forced. For a moment, Marceline only glared at Zarina, and it looked like the girl’s insecurities and stubbornness had won out. She drew upon the immense heat in the sand and was able to put enough bounce in her step to manage a near-normal walking pace. Then, she sighed in the slightly petulant way a fourteen-year-old might when confronted with what they know they should be doing, in spite of their pride. [color=598527][b]“You don’t… need to give me your water as a peace offering.”[/b][/color] She snorted. [color=598527][b]“Save it. You’ll need it.”[/b][/color] She shook her head. [color=598527][b]“And I don’t think you’re a horrible person or anything. You just… don’t get it. You wouldn’t unless you’d grown up here.”[/b][/color] She paused at the steps and reached up to brush some hair from her face. [color=598527][b]“Plus, I bet you had the traditional first night’s sleep.”[/b][/color] Marci grinned. [color=598527][b]“Nobody sleeps well their first night.”[/b][/color] Zarina blinked, surprised at the reaction. No adversity, only a composed teen that acted far more reasonable than many adults she had known. It left the Virangish speechless for a moment, gourd still presented as an offering, [color=C78A2C]”Well,”[/color] she pursed her lips and shifted her eyes side-to-side before whispering, [color=C78A2C]”I have a pretty damn good café au lait in my bag, and you know what they say about drinking alone.”[/color] she snorted at her own mediocre joke, and the Perrench accent was very much exaggerated. She gestured over at one of the decrepit buildings from a bygone era, there they could probably sit and be safe from the merciless rays of the sun, [color=C78A2C]”No, no. I was a right cunt to you. Very much a horrible slag at that moment.”[/color] she gestures in dismissal with a smile. The exchange with her sister and the time at the stables had apparently done good work on her mood, [color=C78A2C]”T’was uncalled for. Whether I know what you lived or not. So, er-”[/color] she shifts her jaw, prompting a couple of pops, [color=C78A2C]”Yeah. Sorry.”[/color] awkward, but embarrassing enough to be genuine. The apologetic tall teen found herself a flat, stone surface to rest her rear upon, bag by her side and opened to reveal a packed lunch and a container with the supposed milky drink. Marci reached the same area and plopped down beside her, taking and releasing a long breath. She untied the little sack she’d slung over one shoulder and pulled out some biscuits, dried salted meats, and a couple of clementines. [color=598527][b]“How about we trade?”[/b][/color] she offered. She began peeling her fruit. [color=598527][b]“I take some of your coffee, you have one of these. I’m more thirsty than hungry anyhow.”[/b][/color] Zarina pursed her lips at the sight of clementines before nodding, [color=C78A2C]”Oh, yeah, sure thing.”[/color] She presented her hand to collect the goods and the exchange was made. [color=C78A2C]“As for sleep, it looks like a few of us didn’t get great sleep, no.”[/color] she added, peering over to the direction of the others. If she couldn’t see them, she could probably hear some of them conversing during the break. Zarina shook her head, [color=C78A2C]”Sleep just doesn’t come easy for yours truly, even on the comfiest of beds.”[/color] a small, metallic cup was being filled with the beverage as she spoke, although it had since lost its heat. The Tethered girl swept some loose hair from her eyes. There was a backdraft coming from inside the cavernous old ruins. She’d been stealing glances inside since the moment they’d sat. She blinked. [color=598527][b]“Why?”[/b][/color] she asked, tilting her head ever so slightly to the side. [color=598527][b]“Is something the matter?”[/b][/color] The mention of a lack of sleep had Zarina drift for a brief moment. She just stared at the drink she poured and nearly caused it to overflow, [color=C78A2C]”Ah crap.”[/color] she was quick enough to not waste anything, and equalised the volume by adding some to her own cup, [color=C78A2C]”Why what, again? Sleep? Erm.”[/color] she begins to focus on one specific yet irrelevant point of reference: a stray hair of Marceline’s that stuck out near her ear, [color=C78A2C]”I just- Hmmm. I just haven’t been able to sleep, let alone dream, for like …”[/color] she tilts her head and closes an eye, [color=C78A2C]”Twwwooo years? I mean, I sleep. But they’re more micro-naps. I think. Anyway, it’s basically routine.”[/color] she shrugged to downplay the issue, smiling confidently as she took a sip from her own drink. The excessive powdering of her face that served to veil her black circles was becoming far more apparent when one was so close and aware of Zarina’s habits. For a moment, it looked as if Marci was going to say something, but she paused and took a sip of water. [color=598527][b]“I never have trouble sleeping,”[/b][/color] she shared. [color=598527][b]“At least… I never used to. They put essence of valerian in our evening tea. Knocks us right out.”[/b][/color] She leaned back, posting her hands on the cool stone floor behind herself. Her sea blue dress fluttered in a sudden light gust. [color=598527][b]“They add honey so we always drink it. Nobody can say no to honey. Thing is…”[/b][/color] She glanced at Zarina almost… evaluatively for a moment, [color=598527][b]“I don’t get the extract anymore - not since I’ve been in training. I guess they need me sharp and I train at night sometimes. You know what the funniest part is?”[/b][/color] By the way that she turned to face the older girl, hands knit in her lap, it was clearly a rhetorical question. [color=598527][b]“I wouldn’t have even noticed. I’d have slept just as well if I hadn’t found out.”[/b][/color] She sighed. [color=598527][b]“Two weeks ago, I did, though. Now that I know, I fear I’m not faring much better than you or Ayla.”[/b][/color] She shook her head and bit into some of the jerky. Zarina indulged in the pieces of clementine that were traded for some of her coffee mix, meticulously nibbling away as she kept her golden gaze on the tethered teen by her. When the drug was mentioned, she narrowed her eyes, rested her left calf over her knee and leaned forward a tad, [color=C78A2C]”Well, you did call it a prison. Don’t want any of these extremely dangerous ten year olds to wander during lockdown, now.”[/color] the sarcasm was as evident as the smirk on her face when she turned her head to face Marceline, [color=C78A2C]”The training.”[/color] her voice lowers, respecting the discretion Marceline sought out the last time they spoke, [color=C78A2C]”How many of you are in that program-thing?”[/color] she takes a sip, gaze focused on the other’s eyes, [color=C78A2C]”Do you have a choice in the matter?”[/color] Marci’s eyes narrowed - not hostile, but perhaps a bit professionally suspicious. She finished chewing and she swallowed. [color=598527][b]“Why are you so interested in us?”[/b][/color] she asked. [color=598527][b]“Why do you wanna know?”[/b][/color] Zarina didn’t back down when she met the girl’s cautious gaze, keeping hers focused while her body language remained relatively composed, [color=C78A2C]“For the numbers? Just so I know how many could potentially be helpful if things don’t go so well with the mission.”[/color] another contingency, something she had been preparing since her exchange with the warden, [color=C78A2C]“As for your choice-”[/color] she averts her gaze, arms crossing under her chest and fingers drumming over her bicep, [color=C78A2C]”I’m no stranger to being put in a situation where you’ve got no choice, as a kid.”[/color] a quiet pop can be heard when she shifts her jaw, [color=C78A2C]”The little flip out I had back in the Refuge wasn’t really because of what you said- Well, it was, but this whole thing reminded me of something that hit close to home, I suppose.”[/color] she sighs and returns her attention to Marci, [color=C78A2C]”It pisses me off to no end, that the people trusted to care for the young and defenceless, would put them in such … Fucking impossible situations. To use them, instead of nurturing. Ugh,”[/color] she pressed her fingers against her temple, [color=C78A2C]”Sorry- It’s hard to articulate without me heating up.”[/color] [color=598527][b]“We have a choice,”[/b][/color] Marceline said quietly. She gazed out over the ruins, the camels, and the sandy floor of the deepening canyon. [color=598527][b]“But it’s a pretty easy one.”[/b][/color] She shrugged. [color=598527][b]“I think it's designed to be.”[/b][/color] She stretched her legs out in front of her, braces and all, and there was no missing the atrophy in her calves, the bunched up muscle in her knees - at least until she pulled her fluttering dress back down over them. Her body was losing the battle, same as Jocasta’s was and even Yalen’s to a lesser degree. She turned to the Virangish girl earnestly. [color=598527][b]“We don’t know who we are. My name isn’t really Marceline. It was just something I chose after I woke up with no proper memories of who or what I’d been in the ten years I lived before the Refuge. On the surface, this is a paradise for us poor, doomed souls.”[/b][/color] She rolled her eyes and glanced down at her knees. They were pressed together, her feet splayed apart, knock-kneed. [color=598527][b]“But there’s no purpose. There’s no excitement. There’s no reason to live. We’re just… [i]things[/i] that… [i]exist.[/i]”[/b][/color] She sat up straighter, fingers bunching and unbunching the folds of her dress. [color=598527][b]“Every week, it just repeats: the same thing again and again. The caretakers get a little older and you get a little older and the other Tethered you looked up to as a kid get more and more crippled each year until they disappear into the red tower and you just know…”[/b][/color] She trailed off, her face scrunching up. [color=598527][b]“That’s gonna be you someday.”[/b][/color] Tears started to bleed out of her eyes. [color=598527][b]“And there’s no point to it all. Nothing to look forward to, only things to fear. You did nothing. You [i]were[/i] nothing: just some tragic girl who nobody wanted or remembered who sat there by a pool in some little corner of the world, numbing herself with prayer and drinks and drugs and-”[/b][/color] She blushed. [color=598527][b]“Sex,”[/b][/color] she whispered. Quickly, she began to gather herself. [color=598527][b]“So that’s why I did it. That’s why [i]we[/i] do it: it’s a chance to have done something, [i]anything[/i] that’s real.”[/b][/color] She sniffed, wiping away the few tears she’d cried with the back of her hand. Zarina’s extremities felt more numb than usual. It was far from being cold despite the adequate shading, and she wasn’t scared or anything. She had begun feeling this when she admitted to her own issues that prompted her outburst, and now that Marceline was painting a proper picture of her situation, the Virangish girl felt a little queasy. And then Marci began to cry. Hairs rose in reaction, Zarina’s heart rate intensifying and her gut cramped ever so slightly. How easy it was to cause a visceral reaction to this girl with a show of emotions. It ate her soul so much more when she was forced in situations where she had to be the cause of these. The cold extremities began to shiver, though she’d hold one hand with the other to hide it. The more Marceline spoke, the colder it felt. Awkwardly, she found the courage to raise her hand and rest it over the Tethered’s shoulder with the same hesitation she had shown to Yalen, but this time exacted it. She did not want to be too invasive, and Zarina was clearly not too experienced with positively dealing with emotions, but she offered her hand nonetheless, [color=C78A2C]”I don’t see you as a thing.”[/color] her voice was unusually mousey, even a little difficult to hear with a couple of words swallowed by her trembling form, [color=C78A2C]”You’re this new friend I made, that thinks a tangerine is worth my awesome café au lait.”[/color] she lets an awkward giggle escape her. Marci sat up a bit straighter. [color=598527][b]“I was only gonna pay half a tangerine at first,”[/b][/color] she teased, popping another slice into her mouth, [color=598527][b]“So be grateful.”[/b][/color] Zarina grimaced, waving her hand in dismissal, only to laugh right after, [color=C78A2C]”Revolting. They don’t even teach you manners!”[/color] [color=598527][b]“You know,”[/b][/color] the younger girl giggled, [color=598527][b]“the tears and boogers actually add a nice bit of saltiness to it…”[/b][/color] She grinned impishly, mock-horrified at the inappropriateness of it. [color=C78A2C]“But how ‘bout that?”[/color] Zarina offered, [color=C78A2C]“I’ll teach you the value of such a delicacy, so we can open a little brewing gig. These places make BANK, I swear. Doesn’t that just sound a quadrillion times better than that not-choice, hmm?”[/color] her Virangish accent had briefly mellowed out there. Marceline’s face became sad again, for just a moment, and she went still, aside from absently taking a bite of her jerky and the final sip of her coffee. [color=598527][b]“I’d love that, someday,”[/b][/color] she said quietly, with a faint smile. [color=598527][b]“You're a good person and I’m sorry for misjudging you.”[/b][/color] Finished her food, she tied up the knot at the top of the bag. [color=598527][b]“But that’s a false comfort.”[/b][/color] She reached for her crutches and, with a bit of kinetic assistance, stood. She pivoted to face Zarina. [color=598527][b]“There’s no getting out of here for us.”[/b][/color] She shook her head. [color=598527][b]“They’ll never let it happen. You know the truth?”[/b][/color] She narrowed her eyes. [color=598527][b]“They’re scared of us.”[/b][/color] As if the hand of Dami himself was at work, Jocasta emerged from the darkness of what looked to have been a small temple, drifting above the ground like a ghost. [color=C78A2C]”Oh, yeah, they’re scared. Anyone would be, if what you said is true.”[/color] Zarina straightens herself too but remains seated. The moment they had quickly reverted to the darker, depressing tones they started with, but the Virangish girl didn’t let herself sink into that mood. Then, she noticed Jocasta. She was a little surprised, almost jumping in place even, but the timing was too good for her to make it a scene, [color=C78A2C]”But she got out.”[/color] she gave the blonde Tethered a glance and nod, [color=C78A2C]”Why can’t we make it happen for you too?”[/color] she then narrowed her eyes back toward Marceline, leaning forward a little, [color=C78A2C]”Should you want to leave, of course. We talked about choices, after all.”[/color] [color=598527][b]“I do,”[/b][/color] Marci replied [color=598527][b]“But…”[/b][/color] she hesitated, mouth open to continue speaking, but found herself pre-empted instead by Jocasta, who whooshed over and ‘stood’ beside them. It was a bit jarring to see her at eye level. One could feel the kinetic gravity loop that kept her off of the ground. [color=ffdead][b]“Hey, s-sorry,”[/b][/color] she cut in. [color=ffdead][b]“I don’t mean to i-interrupt. I just overheard the last bit while I was back there.”[/b][/color] She glanced at both of the others. [color=ffdead][b]“G-gods willing, if all goes well today or… at least not disastrously, I’m going to be meeting with Amanda to-tonight.”[/b][/color] She took a breath. [color=ffdead][b]“I think we should all sit down and discuss these things and…”[/b][/color] She looked down for a moment, meeting Marceline’s eyes and glancing at Zarina as well, [color=ffdead][b]“If you want to know how I g-got out, I will tell you everything.”[/b][/color] [color=598527][b]“I can only speak for myself,”[/b][/color] replied Marceline, [color=598527][b]“But it sounds good, sister. Very good indeed.”[/b][/color] [color=C78A2C]”Amanda …”[/color] Zarina focused on that name, eyes squinting downwards toward a small pile of sand, [color=C78A2C]”She’s one of the clover names.”[/color] she recalled upon snapping her fingers, [color=C78A2C]”An old one too. I assume … You know her too, Marci?”[/color] she tilted her head, clearly a little overwhelmed with the information and potential plans to be. She needed a moment to process, [color=C78A2C]”Sister?”[/color] she furrowed her eyebrows, glancing over at Marceline, and then toward Jocasta, then back to Marci. She never thought the Tethered were THAT close. The pair of them looked at each other. [color=598527][b]“There’s still a lot you don’t know,”[/b][/color] the younger one admitted. [color=598527][b]“But…”[/b][/color] She glanced over at Jocasta, as if looking for permission, and the blonde nodded. [color=598527][b]“It’s time to fill you in. It’s time to fill [i]everybody[/i] in.”[/b][/color] [color=ffdead][b]“Both of us know Amanda,”[/b][/color] Jocasta admitted. [color=ffdead][b]“All th-three of our names are on that tree.”[/b][/color] She glanced down and then up, meeting Zarina’s eyes with a bit of a twinkle. [color=ffdead][b]“I’m trusting you, Zamira.”[/b][/color] She smirked knowingly. [color=ffdead][b]“Tonight,”[/b][/color] the eldest of the three promised, voice sinking conspiratorially. [color=ffdead][b]“Tonight, w-we not only figure out how to sh-shove that stupid aberration back where it belongs, we start plotting our refuge revolution.”[/b][/color]. This was dizzying to the small time, wannabe mobster with a bit too much of a bleeding heart for the job. Zarina could hardly follow. How the two girls were on the same wavelength, how Jocasta was on the tree despite the absence of such a name, how it just jumped to REVOLUTION all of a sudden. Zarina blinked and stayed quiet for a moment, hands over her thighs. Silently, she looked at Marceline, and then at Jo, [color=C78A2C]”... I have a lot to say, realistically. Vashdal as my witness.”[/color] another pause. She clenches the sandy cloth that covered her legs, [color=C78A2C]”But honestly? Fuck it. If you guys wanna fight for what you want, I’m in.”[/color] taken by the excitement, she grinned a toothy smile, [color=C78A2C]”If only to get this nasty little git out so she can taste REAL quality stuff and repent for her awful comments.”[/color] she nudged her chin toward Marceline. If she were fully truthful, she had quite the reservations for such rash decisions, but she did yearn for something more than compliance. She did, however, shoot a knowing glance toward Jocasta. Nothing had slipped by Zarina, despite her sleepless state, and the blonde girl had always managed to keep the Virangish on her guard. [/hider] They were back on the hot sands, marching forward to a destination she could not see. The break was soothing, if not jam-packed with conflicting feelings that plagued Zarina’s restless mind. The fact that she still hadn’t gotten some shut-eye was weighing on her, even if her mood was kept in check with other positive stimuli. The more her mind got hazy, the more the unsettling thoughts came to be. [i][color=C78A2C]Jocasta …[/color][/i] The ‘On Two’ Tethered of the group. A mysterious one that had so far merely been a light risk of emotional breakdown, but now a whole new angle was provided. Zarina kept at the back and could have a good look at everyone, and she narrowed her eyes onto the blonde first. What was it she had planned? How did she have a rapport with Marci? Why did she not just come clean with her origins? The more she thought about it, the more she started to piece things together. Slowly. Before any conclusions could be made, her weakened mind ended up focusing elsewhere … [i][color=C78A2C]Marci …[/color][/i] The young teen she had reconciled with, and in turn was let in on some insight that made Zarina’s head spin. She wanted to help Marceline. Help the one willing to fight for what’s her’s to get what she’s owed. It was almost a sort of honour thing, to the point that it drew from Zarina’s indignation and emotional nature and led her down this rabbithole of revolution. Would she partake in this potentially disastrous ‘revolution’ to help a friend? Or is she just way over her head? She blinked a few times, having nearly fallen asleep on her camel. [i][color=C78A2C]Yalen …[/color][/i] Did they all know each other? Was this some sort of coordinated thing and Hugo was the mastermind? Or was he fooled too? After all, two Tethered pupils attending this mission was objectively a boon. He did not look well at all this morning, even worse than Zarina herself. Had he been involved in something as well? Or was it one of those nightmares her sister had brought up? So many questions, and the Virangish insomniac would get little from them in her current state. Although with the way he killed those Halassa, Zarina was not going to bank on some Quentic pacifism to hold this one back. [i][color=C78A2C]Kaspar, Ayla …[/color][/i] Two with family names that mattered. One from this very land, one from another where potential ‘Clovers’ like Marci could be sold to. What would disrupting a factory of Mage Snipers potentially do to their reputations? Would they go with it, and maybe risk their families’ wellbeing? There were many patients in that Refuge, many children. But how many depended on these families too? Would a two or three hundred ailing youths be worth the many impacted by the harming of big names? The thought was nauseating, when Zarina realised how complex things could get with stopping something so clearly ‘wrong’ in many ways. [i][color=C78A2C]Ysilla …[/color][/i] And finally her own sister. Her own blood. What applied to the two previous applied to her own family. In a sense, her mother was likely not to ever falter over petty geopolitical cabals, but to bring shame to her family’s name, and subsequently harm her very blood was a frightening prospect indeed. It was all mentally taxing, to the point where she just let go, and slumped over the first hump, and entered a micro-sleep. Luckily the camel was content with just following the herd, letting the rider get a bit of rest. No dreams would be had, thankfully. [hr] And then suddenly, she woke up to growing tremors in the sand and stone. They were getting close to the aberration. The Tethered trio could sense it. But it would obviously not be made easy. Another Wyrm came into play, or maybe it was the same one as before? It really did not matter, they just had to leave. Rushing toward safety, the animals were clearly spooked by the ordeal, but Escarra could lead the flock away just in time while Zarina took notice of the one supply camel panicking. Pumped with adrenaline and refusing to lose a precious source of goods, she went into a full-on gallop with Daoud to retrieve the panicked beast, seizing its broken rope and calling out to it. It actually calmed down once tugged and heard the calls of the girl despite the chaos going around it. Successful in her rescue, she kept the camel bound to her own and quickly joined the party before she ended up Wyrm chow. They were safe … Until one crisis ushered in another. A meat feast had awakened within the canyon, and the predators were now all on high alert. Forabasses, a lot of them, first picking off the easy targets, but then taking interest in the party. Coming in waves, the clouds of pseudo-dragons began to pick off their group, [color=C78A2C]”Hug the wall!”[/color] she called out, employing some of her Kinetic magic to push the supply camel to safety and close to her own. The Froabasses were limited, for a time, but they would end up winning. First was one of the guards, and the scene unfolding before her eyes had Zarina’s heartbeat at a headache-inducing pace. She was clearly scared, but not helpless. One hand drew a sword, and the other picked up some knives she had brought along for the trip. The guard was already long ago, taken by the carnivorous beasts, but the second was about to be devoured right before them. As he was being ripped apart, she instinctively hurled her blade toward his head. She missed, hitting the throat instead. Her attempt to end his life painlessly before the gruesome end had only partially failed, as he would likely not feel much after losing most of his blood in a few seconds. Still, she whimpered at the sight, but didn’t give up. A few camels were taken too, and while her aim wasn’t the greatest, she did her best to pierce their skulls and end it quickly, until it was her turn to be greeted by the predators. [color=C78A2C]”Fuck it.”[/color] if it was going to be the end, she would go down with a fight. Both blades were drawn and she hopped off Daoud, keeping the terrified beast behind her as she began to swing at the monsters while shouting at them. And when she was in the right state to just go all out, her mind serene and committed, one of the creatures downright attacked another and served as a shield for Zarina and those near her. This bizarre turn of events had her completely stunned, [color=C78A2C]”What the …”[/color] her body felt cooler than normal, and she couldn’t shake off the sensation that the moment she felt that coldness, the beast felt it too and acted accordingly, somehow. The group attacking them retreated after this strange occurrence. They were not safe, but a moment of respite was generously given to them. Enough time for Zarina to actually approach the draconic being and slowly attempt to rest her hand on its tail. Any thoughts of her actually connecting with the beast immediately vanished as it reacted with a slap to her core with the tail. Not breaking anything, but she would get a bruise. It growled at her, seeming ready to attack, but then just flew off with the flock. That same flock was going to come back to them. At least two dozen massive flying beasts, and they had to chance. Zarina took this time to peer over at her sister and Ayla. Then at Marceline. She frowned melancholically, but only briefly. Inhaling strongly, she raised both her blades and stared down the coming swarm with defiant eyes. She screamed a powerful warcry, bracing herself for the worst and standing between the attackers and those she cared for most. She would not die today, however. A massive draw was taking place. One that even the Froabasses were sensing and halted their attack over. All this energy– it converged toward one person: Jocasta. The intense power was enough to have Zarina kneel and stare in awe. She had only seen one person display such power before, and even then this seemed exceptional by that standard too. The thought of inevitable death was superseded by a fear of the unknown. What could possibly come of such a concentration of power? And then she felt a familiar feeling. The same that came from solving that first riddle in the tower, and when the Paradigm opened a tear in space and time. The Froabasses were then all gone. Poof. Like they weren’t there in the first place, along with their meals. It took a moment for Zarina to fully grasp what was going on, her eyes shifting about to see if anything else had changed. And then Jocasta explained. The threat was gone, taken somewhere else via a magic that few knew. It didn’t hit the Virangish teen right away what all of this could imply. No, she was first and foremost thankful to Vashdal that this did not turn into the nightmare it could easily have been. Her hand reached for her pendant, her thumb tracing the lines upon it. She had so nearly died, and yet here she was. It did not stop a creeping bad feeling to take root at the back of her mind, however. [Ending is at Ayla's post above!] [hider=Tl;dr] -Comfy ride in desert, names her camel Daoud -Reconciles with Marci -Jocasta shows up during her lunch with Marci, the idea of Refuge revolution is mentioned -Zarina agrees to help Marci and considers the revolution idea -Zarina is realising what this may imply, especially to those they're close to -Big chaos with the Froabasses, loads die, she is ready to fight to the end -Zarina attempts to tame one that defends her -She fails -Jocasta saves the day and the display of power makes Zarina particularly anxious -She connects some dots when she speaks to Ayla -Ayla proposes a plan, but it can be an issue if someone as strong as Jocasta is on a warpath -Ayla falls asleep over Zarina's shoulder [/hider]