Intentions of a Bitter Taste (Solo)

[Corrien Snowsong]

(1st of Summer)

Her head felt like cotton, the air around her a thick fog that obscured her thoughts upon the first few moments of awakening. Where am I buzzed through the stagnant air, and her eyes fluttered open to find herself in so very strange surroundings. A dim candle's flickering served as the only source of light for the small windowless room, and slowly she rose to her knees. Absently she rubbed her wrists, the red mark of a rash the only clue as to how she wound up here, and shiver ran up her spine as she realized just how cold the floor felt against her knees, her body finally starting to wake up itself. With it came another pain, centered in the back of her head, a pounding, pulsing pain that radiated throughout her mind, and she winced remembering the blow to the head she had taken only faintly. Fingers dexterously massaging her temple, she pulled herself slowly to her feet, but found them still numb and ended up falling flat back against the ground. Her mouth opened to cry out in pain, but no sound came out, and a sliver of fear ran through her as she wondered if her captors had somehow found a way to rob her of her voice. Truly they did not possess that kind of power, or ability for cruelty she hoped, and her eyes glistened at the thought of never being able to sing again.

Like the rest of her body, her vocal cords had simply yet to wake up yet, and as she continued to try and make any noise, gradually it came back to her, though it sounded retched at first, hoarse, and wet. All the attempts caused her to launch into a fit of coughing, and she clutched her seizing gut, tears of pain wetting her cheeks, praying that this would all be over soon. A loud, tremendous cough signified the end of the fit, and slowly she leaned against the wall, her breaths shallow and rapid as she tried desperately to catch her breath and figure out just what was going on. She didn't even know how she got here, much less what city she was in, and the sheer volume of what was unknown frightened her. Corrien slowly drew in her legs, wrapping her arms around them, finding comfort in the position, and rested her chin against her legs, every muscle in her face trying not to breakdown, trying not to show fear to her captors but she could feel her resolve weakening as only a haunting silence rewarded her stubbornness, and she felt like just letting it all out then and there while no one was around. A light click and a sliding of wood on stone drew her eyes upwards as a door she hadn't noticed before opened on the ceiling, revealing blackness beyond, and slowly a booted foot descended downwards to step on the first step of the staircase leading downwards. It was him, it was her captor.

[Corrien Snowsong]

Her eyes widened as the black boots descended the staircase, a notable tap, tap echoing from every step. What does he want from me she wondered as she shrunk against the wall, eyes locked on the man before her. Why did the slaver bring here, what did he plan to do came another thought, and her breathing becoming more rapid, as a fear gripped her body. Just a few more steps and she would see the vile man's face, the man who had captured her only a day before. Or at least she hoped that it was a few days ago, though she didn't know how long she had been out. His body seemed more slender than she remembered, and his all black attire surely was a difference in the clothing she had seen him in when they first met. A pale chin came visible followed by the rest of the man's face, and her mouth dropped open in realization. This was not the same man whom had stolen her from the caravan; this man was much different, a bit neater. Have I been sold into slavery? she wondered, staring hard at the man making his way towards her, a casual smile staining the symenestra's features.

As he got closer her eyes flickered down to stare at the floor and her arms tightened around her knees, giving them a light squeeze as she stared away from this new, much less frightening man, and she tucked her chin behind her legs as she waited for the symenestra to speak. A pair of black boots materialized in her vision, as the man stood before her, and crossed his arms over his chest, simply content to look down at her for the moment. Finally after the awkward silence had seemed to stretch forever, she could hear a sharp intake of breath, as if the man was preparing to launch into a long lengthy speech. " Welcome to my humble home " he said in a voice that strangely sounded warm, and inviting to her. It confused her that he was being so nice to her, and she looked up at him, furrowing her brow. She only understood Welcome to home out of what he had said, since her common was less than perfect, and she paused for a moment, seeing if he would say anything else, and a moment’s time to search for some words of her own. " I hope you find everything " he paused as if he was searching for the word, " adequate " and smiled, exposing his fangs.

The sight made her wince a little bit, but she tried to control her revulsion as she didn't want to offend this man that could possibly give her back her freedom. She didn't really understand her other words, but the few words she did pick up led her to assume that he was asking if she found everything fine. Raising up her face from its nook further, she took in a deep breath, and thought of what few common words she knew to get the point across. " I fine " she said slowly, her voice high, and cracking, still in the process of waking up from being drugged. " I yours now? " she added, a bit unsure if she had said slave right, but the continual smile from the man didn't give her any clues. He could have bought her and was her master thus the reason for the continual smile, or she botched her word's and he thought she said something else or didn't understand the meaning at all. " Yes, for now, but no worries, as long as you cooperate with me, I will have you back to your family in no time " he said, his knees bending down to get more on eye level with her, they bright yellow orbs still staring stiffly at him.

The words help me, back to family rang sweetly to her ears, and though she was sure there was more to that, she assumed that he intended to take her back to her home after she helped him with something. If that was the case she would help him with almost anything he asked along as it was in her capability to do it, and didn't invade her privacy or person at all. " I help, you take I to family? she asked, the jagged pitches of her voice beginning to finally smooth out more, and her eyes sparkling. A slow nod from him was all the confirmation she needed, and before she could ask another question, or say anything else, he raised a finger to his lips, a motion to be quiet, and then stood back up, and turned on his heel retreat back up the stairs. It was a bit odd to her, but she stayed frozen until he left through the trap door on the ceiling, before finally raising up to her feet and walking around. " Symestra aren’t that bad after all surely if this one takes me home " she said aloud to herself. Excitement replaced where there once had been fear in her chest, and a smile bubbled to her lips as she began to dance across the floor. Everything would be alright now, she was safe till she could get out of here, and then back in the loving arms of her family, and life got a little bit brighter again. " Thank you Priskil " she whispered, and closed her eyes as she began to spin around, dancing under the light of the new hope she had been blessed with.

[Corrien Snowsong]

A nice melody could be heard from within the chamber the girl stayed, her voice had gotten to normal, and now she was working on testing her vocal cords while dancing. Spinning on the balls of her feet, she turned her skirt whipping behind her, and flowing around as she continued to cross her legs back and forth to continually spin. Her eyes sparkled with a warm gold light, and her foot slid against the ground as she completed her final spin, and slid her right foot forwards, before kicking off with her left, making a small hop forwards. The stone felt cold on her feet, but it didn't matter to her at the moment, all that mattered was the dance, and the fact that sooner than later she would be free and among her family. She kept the tips of her fingers touching and her arms out before her as she turned, spinning again, but this time bending her knees slightly so that she could spin in lower, and slowly she extended her arms so they fanned out from her, before hopping up again into the air, and landing standing up. Her heart beat hard in her chest, and he muscles quivered slightly from the warm ups, but she wore a bright smile on her face, and straightened her shoulders as she prepared for the real training.

Crouching low to the ground she placed the flat of her hands against the cold rock, and slowly lifted one foot from the ground, and then kicking off with her left, propelled her feet up above her where she held herself upwards for a little while before falling back down landing on her feet. She needed to work on her balance, and while she would have preferred to play a little bit, her harp was sadly no longer among her possessions and actually none of her possessions where among her anymore, and she wondered if the slavers took them. It didn't matter to her at the moment though, and securing her hands again, she again kicked off the ground, holding herself up in the air with her two hands, and counting silently to see how long she could do it. " 1, 2, 3.. " and then she was falling back to earth again, landing lightly on the tips of her feet. After a slight pause she pushed off again, her feet waving around in the air. " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. and then back to falling down. She tried and tried again to increasing her time, her arms starting to shake more and more with the added strain. She held herself in the air for what seemed like the 17th time, counting; " 5, 6, 7, 8.. and then her arms gave way, her body falling forward, and her chest and chin meeting the ground before her feet. " Ow.. " she mumbled rubbing her bruised chin, simply propping herself up with her elbows. " Guess that means I need to take a break "