(The Twin Lakes) New Meetings (finished)

[Krysanthe]

Krysanthe nodded at Drusilla's introduction without saying anything, as if to say 'nice to meet you' without uttering a word. Not that she really had the chance to say anything anyways, for sure enough, the other Inarta Avora was storming off, not without a curse to the Symenstra of course. Not surprised when the Avora didn't even glance at her, Krysanthe watched her scamper off, tripping over her own feet. Krysanthe tried not to grin at her expense, for the timing was simply perfect. The moment Kikue was gone, the red head turned to face the white-haired woman, making a motion with her hand towards the ground in the shade of the tree next to her, saying, "May I?" Without waiting for a response, she sat down. She didn't really care if the woman said no, for she fully intended to talk to her anyways. It had been so long since she talked to someone, and what are the odds of finding a Symenstra in a volcano? The opportunity was not one to miss. "I don't mean to sound rude," she began, her odd golden eyes never leaving Drusilla's beautiful white face, "But I simply must know. How long have you been here? In Wind Reach, I mean?"

[Drusilla]

Drusilla stopped to think, "Sometimes I think too long, but other times I can't see myself leaving." She smiled, "But that doesn't answer what you asked....Hmmm...Eight years I believe. I don't get out much, I just simply weave my fabrics and speak to the deks."

"You seem very interested in me. You do know what I am, right?" Drusilla watched the girl, "I get the feeling that I'm not the first Symenestra you've met... Am I? Take my advice, be extremly careful when choosing to enter a Symenestra's parlor."

[Krysanthe]

Krysanthe watched the woman speak with a certain gleam of curiosity playing in her yellow eyes. Eight years. Eight years and she had never once met this woman, never even seen her. The white spot in a sea of red. At this point, Krys was mentally scolding herself for being so introverted, but who could blame her? She had her reasons for not trusting anyone. A small smile danced its way to the corner of her lip. Drusilla's words were entirely accurate, although Krysanthe would wish that she would have gotten that advice earlier. A few years earlier. "Thanks." She stated simply. She really wasn't one for talking, and whenever she did talk, she was usually defending herself, bartering, or trying to push others away so she didn't have to deal with socialization. This 'communication' thing was a new territory for her, and it is needless to say that she was nervous. "I am, by the way. Interested, I mean. I knew a Symenstra not long ago. I did some trading with him. I am an apprentice, you see. Glassworking." Krysanthe knew that she did much more than that, but that is certainly not something that she was about to share. "I have just always found Syemenos interesting, and your species. Just so... beautiful. In a simple kind of way." Krys had an odd small obsession with skin. It wasn't anything creepy. She just found the different tones and the like incredibly intriguing. How the Inarta skin was always just the smallest bit tan, and some had freckles while others did not, and some travelers had blemishes and other things. But the Symenstra, they were different. They were so perfectly white. It amazed her.

[Drusilla]

"You work glass? That's lovely! If you wouldn't mind, I've been looking for someone who can provide me with some glass beads and buttons. Don't get me wrong, it would be fair trade. I'd make you anything you'd like." Drusilla smiled, she loved talking about work and glassblowing was a such an interesting skill. "We may be nice to look at, but believe me our culture is nothing less of horrible. That's why I left Kalinor. I couldn't stand to be around them anymore. I like it here, and you Inarta are so beautiful to someone who grew up around such monotoned people." Even the way these people lived was colorful and viberant. They were full of fire, and their hair showed it. So firery it seeped out into their hair. Beautiful.

[Krysanthe]

Krysanthe did not know quite how to respond to the woman. It seemed that the two were the same, yet different in so many ways. They both had a certain distaste for their own race, and an inclining interest for the other's. If only they had been switched, their souls somehow swapped, as if that they could change them to take each other's place in the species that they both so seemed so desperate to be. Deciding to avoid confrontation all together and simply go with the idea of changing the subject, Krysanthe responded to Drusilla's first statement. "I adore creating little glass things. Beads and buttons are my favorite. It has been a while since I have made a decent trade, so sure. I would be happy to." Krysanthe offered a convincing smile. She could make someone believe her if she wanted them to, although the more observant of people could merely look into her eyes and see into her soul where the secrets lie. Although she was somewhat uncomfortable in the situation, and she felt as though the air was thick, Krysanthe made her best effort to make the most out of this. She was not one for socialism, but maybe, just maybe, if she continued with this sociality, then she would be a little more comfortable the next time. If that would be the case, then by all means she would continue speaking to this odd ball of a Symenstra.

[Drusilla]

"Well then a trade you will have" Drusilla smiled carefully avoiding her fangs. Although she loved the talk of her work and trade, Drusilla could sense something in the air. A heaviness perhaps? She wasn't sure, but she bet it had to do with that male Symenestra this girl had mentioned. For once her mind was far from work, thinking of this girl. Had their souls been swaped at birth? It almost seemed that way. She called Symenesta beautiful, the same thing she called the Inartas. Drusilla snaped back to attention, fearing she had daydreamed a little too long. "So what would you like in trade for the beads and buttons," she asked earnestly, "Also if it wouldn't be intruding... Would you give me some opinions on some designs? Just a little Inarta insight."

[Krysanthe]

Krysanthe’s smile, however forced, didn’t fade. She enjoyed making trades, she enjoyed talking to those of other races, and she was enchanted at the very thought of looking at designs. She wasn’t much of a girly girl, but if there was anything she was interested, it was art. The subject matter that currently overtook their conversation was enough to bring her an inconsequential amount of comfort, and that was enough to keep her going. When it came to art, whether fabric, glass or even the very composition of living beings, color and design mattered greatly. This slight obsession with detail was one of the reasons she was so good at making such small pieces of glass. Her meticulous manners could drive her to form the most beautiful beads of abnormal and desirable styles. She had not really noticed when Drusilla got lost for a moment in her thoughts. Krys often did the same thing, so it really didn’t bother her. “Oh, it is not intruding at all. I would love to look at designs. As far as what I’d like for this trade, well…” for the first time in this conversation, she seemed to get sheepish. Krysanthe was trying to make something new out of herself. She had finally made up her mind to stop moping at start living. She had been hiding in her bedroom for too long. Most of her memories were too painful for, well, any sort of reliving, so there were many locations that she avoided. With time, perhaps she would return to them, but for now, she wanted to spend as much time getting used to the unfamiliar, to make a new name for herself. Krys lived in Wind Reach for her entire life, and she had never once been to Inclement Weather. Winter was coming, and she had heard that the Winter Revelries were often a rather enjoyable experience. She heard that they were like masquerades. This intrigued her. She was still on the fence about it, but she figured she could start eliminating her excuses. “Well, Winter is coming, and with that season comes the Winter Revelry… Well, I need a dress. Just, you know, a white one. I’ve never actually been to one of those parties. Actually, I’ve never actually been to Inclement Weather, so I have no idea what I am asking for. I was thinking just white silk and maybe… Oh I simply have no idea. You will probably have more ideas than me.” She scoffed at herself, looking up to the sky once again. It really was beautiful. Krys had practically forgotten how beautiful it was, in its endless canvas stretched across the sky. She had forgotten how much she missed looking at it. Still looking at the sky, she asked the woman, “Do you have a particular idea of any specific colors or general themes you would want for your beads and buttons?” In silence, she stared at the endless expanse of peacefulness, awaiting some kind of response from ash-skinned wonder.

[Miana]

Miana cursed her own bad luck as she watched the oddly paired women at a safe distance. She had taken a walk to the Twin Lakes, to clear her mind and escape from the stifling demands of the higher castes. Even now, if she focused hard enough, she could still hear their petty commands with their voices steeled with impatience. Inarta's, famed for their passionate inclinations, were never known for their long enduring patience. Rather opposite in fact. As a Dek that waited on countless Inarta's, she knew this best. And yet, after escaping the suffocating warrens of Wind Reach to bask in a small paradise of isolation that only the Twin Lakes could provide, she was, once again, forced to confront the two women on their rendezvous. And judging from their conversation, they were both Avora. She cringed. Curse her own bad luck. Curse these two odd women for mingling around. Curse her own stupidness for presuming that the lake would be void of people from the summer humidity. Curses, curses.

However, hope was not lost, for it seemed like they hadn't noticed her yet. Hidden from view on the nook of a psuedo-small cliff that resided near the lake, she gave herself a little pat on the back. A small victory, but a victory at least. But, she reminded herself, it really didn't solve her problem at all. Sooner or later, both women would realise her presence. It didn't matter that one of them was a Symenesta and the other a pure bred Inarta- they were so obviously of higher caste. Miana didn't even dare imagine what would happen next. Would they berate her? Cut her off from her a day or two's supply of meagre drudge meal? Punish her so severely that her skin would be bruised and cut? She felt the familiar shiver of fear send tremors through her body. Even the summer heat couldn't- wouldn't- protect her from the coldness of fear.

She sat there for a while, crouched well within the shadows of the cliff as if her body would assimilate into the ground itself. She didn't want to be punished again. She didn't want to, she didn't deserve it. Again, she cursed her own luck and damned her alien dark hair and grey eyes. Feeling utterly miserable for herself, she thought about her current situation. How could she escape without them noticing her? How can she avoid them to save herself? Determination swelled in her chest. No, she thought, today will not be another day of punishment.

Feeling bursts of delirious energy rise within her from, admittedly stupid, determination and adrenalin, she quickly scrambled up to her feet with only a semblance of an idea to comfort her daring escape. However, that semblance of an idea was quickly killed and buried, for she realised how lacking her skills were in such a stealth mission. But she quickly squashed the rising feelings of helplessness in her, she quickly decided to wait for the conclusion of their meeting. Sliding her body over to the very edge of the wall of the cliff, she craned her head in such a way that allowed her to both observe the women whilst keeping her safely hidden from view. And so, she begun eavesdropping on the strange pair...

OOC noteSorry to butt in, but it seemed fun~ don't mind me...

[Drusilla]

Drusilla full heartedly laughed, "I have never been there either! Perhaps we should scout it out first, see what the other girls are talking about and outdo them." She was only half joking. "As for silk you'll find none better, after all silk and Symenestra go hand in hand. Whatever you think is interesting will do fine for the buttons and such. Come by my room later for more dress details. You can't miss it, fabric everywhere.....and please, ignore any deks hiding in there." Drusilla's large purple eyes pleaded, "It's one of the only places they're safe. If they need a safe haven, I give them one and any food I can't eat. Heck, I'm gonna even try and teach one to read! People ask if I don't understand the Inarta system. I do, but I just don't care." Drusilla made sure to speak loud enough for the dark haired girl to hear. Her oversensitive senses had picked up on her. She hoped this girl would understand the hint and take Drusilla's invitation of a place to sleep.... and if this girl was smart enough attempt to teach her. Taking a dek as an aprentice was in these times almost unheard of, but it could safe their life and prevent the Endals from doing who knows what to them.

[Krysanthe]

Krys chuckled and nodded at the comment about outdoing others. She was not vain or superficial, but that didn’t mean that it was not fun to act like a girl sometimes. The prospect of actually going to Inclement Weather both frightened and excited her. There would be so many people there… It was a large step forward for her. Krysanthe was not entirely sure why Drusilla suddenly started talking about deks. Was it meant to be as a joke? Was she entirely serious? It sounded like she was trying to coax someone. The redhead was entirely aware of how more acute Symenstra senses were than that of her own. Perhaps there was another person among them that had escaped Krysanthe’s more lenient detection. Needless to say, the woman casually played along. “No worries. I’m not a big fan of the caste system either. I mean, I’m no rebel or anything, but seriously. It’s like my people are so caught up in rank that they forget that everyone here has a heartbeat, no matter how faint. But yeah, I can put together something for you, a few beads or something of that sort, and I’ll stop by. But for now, I think I am just going to stick to my day dreaming. It’s my day off, and since I’m just a chiet, I want to enjoy it while it lasts.” She paused for a moment, leaning back. She laid down on her back, putting her hands behind her head, her eyes tracing the clouds that leisurely drifted above them. After a moment, she asked, “You’re teaching a dek how to read? That’s really brilliant. I was born of a dek, never really knew my parents. Communal nursery and all that, the usual. I guess I was a lucky one. Glass work was just easy for me, so I was chosen as an apprentice. It kills me to see some of my old classmates with no such talent being stepped on like they are worthless. Everyone has a purpose. I just know it.” Krysanthe had done plenty of thinking in the past few years. She had been incredibly loaded with self doubt and self loathing and terrible spiteful vengeful emotions that only one who has been broken and beaten can feel. But things were looking up. Life moved on. And she had begun to notice things that she had never noticed before. The deks she didn’t care about, the strangers who looked so incredibly different, how small things could seem so heavy, things that did not matter to her before began to matter, and she found that she had a lot more respect for those that never had anything handed to them. The deks worked the hardest and received the least. Everything they did amazed her.