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[hr][b]Interacting with:[/b] Abdel
[b]Location:[/b] Tethered Refuge - Stables and Lounge
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They made it back mostly intact. Well, except for two guards and half the camels. But the survivors weren’t particularly injured or distressed beyond Jocasta’s exertion from what Zarina could tell. The Virangish took it upon herself to tend to the animals once they had returned to one of the stables, making sure none were hurt and removing the load they were carrying while ensuring they were with food and water. On the side were multiple Tethered children curiously watching– a familiar sight to their first night here, although with less energy. Spirits weren’t as high.

Ayla went on to meet with Laella, and Zarina took notice of the same pre-teen boy that had approached her the other day. She recalled his name to be Abdel and wasn’t exactly appreciated by some of the staff. She gave him a knowing glance but didn’t do anything beyond manifesting her acknowledgement of his presence. The camels were first– they had done a lot of work– and he could wait a little bit.

He did take a step forward, potentially a little shy to take the initiative with such a tall and good looking girl, [color=9e0039][b]”Are you a stable girl?”[/b][/color] he asked somewhat sheepishly which prompted Zarina to raise an eyebrow while peering at his direction, [color=C78A2C]”Do I look like one?”[/color] she replied with a loaded question and a focused gaze that could be mistaken for a glare. She didn’t look particularly classy at this moment, being covered in bloodstains and sand, one could confuse her for just about anything. Abdel was wise to fumble with his words and not give an answer, [color=C78A2C]”Pass me the brush, Abdel.”[/color] the imaginary crisis had been averted, her eyes returned to the animal before her and her hand extended out in wait. Abdel smiled– she remembered his name.

With the brush in hand, the Virangish girl went on to clean some of the stains on the beast ridden by Jocasta and Marceline. There was an awkward silence– Abdel didn’t dare interrupt her, not when she looked as bloodied as she did. It didn’t take long, and soon she would be at his disposal, standing straight before the younger teenager with a hand on her hip and the opposite arm rested along her side, [color=C78A2C]”So, what’s u-”[/color] she paused, shifting her eyes from side to side, recalling that the walls did indeed have ears. She spoke in her mother tongue, instead, [color=C78A2C]”Did you need anything, Abdel?”[/color] she asked calmly, gaze peered downward and kept soft to not overwhelm the kid or make him feel scrutinised, [color=9e0039][b]”I wanted to-”[/b][/color] he reached for the same satchel he had the previous night, and Zarina cut him off when he made his intention clear, [color=C78A2C]”Yeah, that. Pass it here.”[/color] she stepped closer to him, shielding the item from the view of any potential onlooker.

The medallion was placed into her gesturing hand by a somewhat surprised Abdel and she looked into it. She had memorised the seal, but it was good to get some confirmation that one’s memory served well. Her thumb brushed over the symbol as she got quiet, feigning reflection even though she already had an answer, [color=C78A2C]”Okay.”[/color] she says in Avincian this one time. From this close, Abdel could definitely feel the not-so-pleasant odours of dried blood, sweat and dirt all mixed together, and yet he could also distinguish the unique lavender aroma that almost seemed natural to her, [color=C78A2C]”I know where this comes from.”[/color] she plainly answers, sliding the item back in the small bag for Abdel quickly enough before they’d get any unwanted attention, [color=C78A2C]”And I’ll tell you. In exchange for something.”[/color] she smirked.

Abdel squinted, rightfully suspicious of this proposition and teetering close to the same look of defiance he had given to one of the Refuge’s staff, [color=C78A2C]”... It’s just soap. And a book for the night. The nights here suck and I want something nice.”[/color] she relented on the teasing and just cut to the chase with what was a fairly simple ask to a resident like Abdel, [color=9e0039][b]”O-oh. Yeah, I can do that.”[/b][/color] Zarina interjects quickly, [color=C78A2C]”And a place to sit real quick. Saddles destroy ass, I tell you.”[/color] the kid couldn’t help but snort at that comment and nodded in agreement. A spark of hope lit up in his eyes and he got to work. Zarina almost felt bad for making him move with that cane of his, but then she realised he would use the gift to get most of the job done.

A nearby couch in a lounge was chosen for Zarina’s little break while Abdel made his way to the library to handpick a book himself. The gift was used to nab one of the better soaps used by the staffers, a soap that would fit nicely with the subtle smell he caught from Zarina’s figure. When the ingredients were gathered, the goods were offered, [color=C78A2C]”Shit, you’re fast.”[/color] Abdel grins, and even blushes a tad at the compliment from the clearly pleased older girl. She first smells the block of soap and happily fits it into her bag she dropped by the couch, [color=C78A2C]”The Marvellous Vagabond, Don Canas del Molino.”[/color] she read, a Torragonese book by the looks of it and quite a popular one, [color=C78A2C]”Fast, efficient and an intellectual~”[/color] she winked at the lad, adding fuel to the fire within as his heart beat a little faster, [color=C78A2C]”Thanks.”[/color]

She tapped by her, inviting the Tethered boy to join her. He sat normally, letting his cane lean against the couch’s arm and rested his hands over his knees, [color=9e0039][b]”Are you … Happy?”[/b][/color] Zarina was letting her side lean against the backrest, elbow just over it and supporting her cheek. Her golden gaze was fixed right on him as she stayed silent for a brief moment, [color=C78A2C]”Very.”[/color] she answers plainly, taking mild amusement at the subtle reactions that came from the poor boy. It was cute, [color=C78A2C]”And I’m a lady of my word.”[/color] she peers downward and muses for a moment. Abdel’s legs grow increasingly restless– he is eager to know the answer to what’s been working his mind for so long. As long as he can remember, actually.

[color=C78A2C]”Every year I see that emblem. One of four, I think, that lead the pilgrimage to Inipor for the Annual Festival.”[/color] her features soften, her gaze vaguely directed toward the boy, [color=C78A2C]”House Bukhari. Imam Buhkari is particularly known in Northern Virang. I’ve attended a couple of his prayers.”[/color] she exhales from her nose while Abdel listens with great attention, [color=9e0039][b]”Well-known? My family is … Important? Is he my dad?”[/b][/color] clearly excited to get some answers, Zarina didn’t quite share that enthusiasm, [color=C78A2C]”I’d say they’re important. I don’t know if he’s your dad.”[/color] it looked as though there was more she wanted to say, but she kept it to herself.

Abdel had taken the medallion back out and stared right at it, clutching it close. For a moment he seemed happy, but as this newfound discovery mellowed in his mind, the unjust reality of it all hit the young teen’s sensitive mind. He started to clench the item, a squeeze tight enough to nearly break it. Zarina could feel it– his frustration and disappointment, [color=9e0039][b]”And they were ashamed of me.”[/b][/color] he said in a mumble. Zarina pursed her lips, knowing full well the signs of growing rage, and reached her hand out to his shoulder, [color=C78A2C]”They’re assholes.”[/color] she says with the driest of tones, [color=C78A2C]”They preach about you, y’know? The Tethered. How your bodies are bound to an endless dream.”[/color] she squeezed on his shoulder, and in turn his own grip on the medallion loosened.

[color=9e0039][b]”But that’s not enough to be accepted, is it?”[/b][/color] he aggressively retorts, his eyes burning with an anger he had likely bottled up for a long time, but couldn’t quite articulate it nor have a direction to hurl it toward. Zarina exhales from her nose and keeps her body language open, letting her hand slide down his arm and just gently rest over his hand, [color=C78A2C]”They’re no different than anyone else, important or not.”[/color] she replies, eyes locked into the teen boy’s, [color=C78A2C]”Do you want to meet them?”[/color] she asked, but before he could answer out of emotion after hesitation, they’d be notified of the meeting at Amanda’s room, [color=C78A2C]”Raincheck,”[/color] she stands and uses her hand over his to help him up, [color=C78A2C]”don’t get too pissy over this. Most parents are total fucking assholes. Focus on getting through the next few days, then we’ll see what you feel and what you want, yeah?”[/color] she gives him a final expectant stare which he responds with a nod. He clearly was still distressed by this inevitable truth, and he likely knew it deep down, but now it was given form– a name.

[hider=Tl;dr]
Abdel approaches Zarina for information on his past.
She knows the family, informs of who they are after he gets her some quality soap and a book.
At first he's glad to know, but then grows frustrated at the reality of it.
Before it can go any further, the meeting at Amanda's room takes place.
[/hider]