Earliest Of Memories -Proving One's Worth (Flash Back)

[Alori Sai]

Season of Summer, Day 4, 489 AV Aela stood outside leaning against the wall of The Glass Reverie. She had finished her academic studies for the day and it was time for work. After her last Bendi, she was chosen by a glassblower to become his apprentice if she could prove herself. She was nervous and her palms were sweaty, but more so because of the heat. She had been there a few times before but the dry heat and musky air were still something she wasn't used too. It was a beautiful sunny day, on the outside and the perfect time to be out and about. But Aela had work to do, and a long day ahead if she wanted to prove herself. From where she stood, she could easily observe them and tried to learn from their technique as best as she could. The room was hot and with the ventilation lacking, she began to sweat even more. Luckily the thin fabric in her clothing gave her some comfort. As she stood there and wiped her hand across her forehead, she noticed a shadow. Looking up she noticed a man had stopped in front of her. The man paused, also wiping away the sweat at his brow before he spoke a word. "What are you doing standing here?" Surprised by the man's harsh tone she paused before answering. “I-I'm waiting for....” The man leaned in staring at her as if she were a mute. “You're waiting for who? Speak up.” he demanded. Aela was confused as to why this man was being so critical and slowly pulled herself off the wall staring at him. “I'm waiting for master Perith.” The man groaned and almost hissed at her as he folded his arms into his chest. “Then what are you standing out here for? Go inside.” Aela pouted, feeling a bit awkward and intimidated as she moved inside the room with the man pushing at her back."Perith, something at the door for you." He shouted as he pushed past her and found his work station. Upon hearing this, Perith narrowed his eyes and scoffed loudly as he turned to face the door way. The sweat was pouring from his brow, streaming down into his beard, and making him look even more scary. "Get in here, you're already late." He yelled and massaged the stiffness in his neck at the same time. Aela took a deep breath, clinched her small fist and marched over to him, there was no time to be timid, it was now or never. He stood there looking her over as if he wanted to change his mind. Aela stared into his eyes for a moment waiting for him to say something then turned away when he didn't. After viewing her, the man forced a smile to his lips. “Let's get started, I'll be teaching you the basic material. Pay attention because I don't like repeating myself." Perith began reorganizing his work bench and readied his blowing tools for Aela to use. He moved behind her allowing his hand to cover hers and helped her to mix the proper materials for creating a clear glass batch. Now making careful use of the blowing tools and oven, he helped her to create and shape the glass. “To start with..you're going to create a paper weight,if you can handle that well enough then I'll move you on to something more creative. I won't babysit you like this again so be sure that you are getting this.” Aela listened while he spoke, her eyes still on the mold as she watched it slowly transform from the heat. Perith wiped his brow again and continued to help her to shape and finalize the piece. He took his time with this piece and showed her the technique and explained the process again so that she might better remember it. Once he was done and ready to use the Annealer the paper weight would be done. "Now I helped you with the first one, now I want to see you do it alone." Perith said as he moved away from her and stood back where he could properly observe her work. Aela took a deep breath and began the process from the start. I can do this...It's now or never.

[Alori Sai]

Night had fallen and the moon was in full, casting down it's light causing a bluish tent in the atmosphere. Aela slowly wondered into the courtyard, she was tired from working in The Glass Reverie all day. Her back, arms, and legs ached from the grueling process of creating glass works. Her movements were sluggish and her foot steps heavy as she moved toward a bench and sat down. The night's air felt cool as it blew through her matted hair and kissed at the sweat on her skin. She was completely exhausted but it had been well worth it. She had been chosen to become apprentice to Perith and was well on her way to become a glassblower. A sigh escaped her parted lips as she settled into the seat and leaned her head back. She rested her hands on the seat and turned them up so that her palms were raised and kicked her sandals off to comfort the aches. Closing her eyes, she imagined the eagles of the mountain. Earlier that day she had saw them soaring over the city, their hiders on top of them as they returned from a hunt. It was a breathtaking sight and Aela remembered it as if it had only happened a moment ago. They descended from the highest of clouds, the sun shining brightly at their backs. The wings of the eagles were wide and seem to stretch even further as they drew closer. It would be so amazing.....to fly like that. Suddenly she was awakened from her peaceful retreat by the slurred sound of a man’s voice. Aela quickly opened her eyes looking in the direction the voice came from. A tall man wondered over to her dropping heavily down into the bench beside her. His features were dark, his skin looked dirty and he had a rotten stench about him. Aela moved away, her eyes narrowing in his direction. He must be a drudge and a scary looking one at that. “It’s a beautiful night isn't it? " He asked making himself more comfortable and leaning his head back as she had. He coughed hard then wiped his mouth before turning back to face her. Aela was disgusted and felt uneasy as she moved further away. “I guess so...Who are!!” she paused when he moved closer to her, slyly letting his hand brush against her chest as he reached for her glass pendant. “This is a really nice necklace you have, who gave it to you?” She jumped as he touched her, her heart was now pounding in her chest, her lips grew dry and never in her life had she felt such an overwhelming feeling of foreboding. “That's of no concern to you..” She said quickly pushing his hand away. The stranger only smiled and brought his left hand to his neck to scratch it. “Now there's no need to be afraid, we're all friends here.” He drew closer, his breath warming her cheek, the smell of cheep alcohol wafting into her nose. She pushed away from him leaning awkwardly against the railing on the bench. “Get away from me.” She exclaimed freeing herself from the bench. Just as she did he wrapped his arms around her tiny hips pulling her back onto the bench. “Now don’t be rude young one, Don't you know that you're supposed to respect your elders.” He sneered tightly grasping her thigh as he leaned in to kiss her. She gasped leaning away from him, she reached back holding onto the railing in an attempt to pull away and kicked at him. Her breaths grew short, her pupils dilating as he pushed her down. Just as he was about to have her, a loud booming voice drew his attention. “ I suggest that you unhand that young girl at once you dirty dek.” Without hesitation the man pulled himself off her stumbling backwards before disappearing into the night. Aela slowly sat up looking to the man standing in the shadow of the wall behind him. It was Perith, and he looked even more annoyed than usual. “You should get inside and rest, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”He said without the simplest movement. Upon hearing his words she sprung from the bench and headed for the youth section without so much of a second glance toward him. Inside she dropped to her knees, her eyes glazing over as the scene replayed itself in her mind. That man, he was going to…. She couldn't even finish the thought in her mind. It wasn't until then that she realized that her pendant was missing. How would anyone be so cruel? If Perith hadn't showed when he did, what would have become of her? But now Perith might see her as weak or just too much trouble to deal with. "I have to become strong..."

[Phoenix]

Character Name

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Glassblowing	5
Observation	4

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Meeting Perith
•	Learning to Mix Materials
•	The First Paperweight
•	The ache of a hard days work
•	Glassblowing: Paperweight
•	Manhandled by a Dek

The Order of the Phoenix

Great thread, Aela! It was short, but sweet!

As a result of her necklace being stolen, Aela can go to the Valintar and ask for the Dek to be brought to justice. If she so chooses, that Dek has to work off his debt to her by becoming her personal servent. If you choose to accept this reward, let me know and I will write up the NPC for you.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.