The Request (Cinna)

[Asha]

Fall 45, 512 Asha felt her heart flutter in her chest as she stood before the Memorium. She was used to coming here everyday as an employee but now she was here as a citizen with her own agenda and requests to make. Walking inside she felt a few eyes drawn to her direction and she nodded politely in greeting to those she knew. Her chocolate eyes were bright with excitement and nervousness. This was a big day for her and she didn’t know what might be the result of it. Only a few days before she had sat down for meditation at the Real Reflection garden and found herself seated next to an Akalak. Conversation arose naturally and she learned that he had come to the Spires through an exchange program meant to spread cultural awareness and promote the existence of particular cities. He spoke to her of the wonders of the city he came from, Riverfall, and Asha was immediately entranced by the thought of something so foreign and exotic. She had done some investigating in the subsequent days and learned that she might be able to participate in the program herself but had to seek the blessing of the Memory. Asha stepped forward slowly towards the central gathering area where the Memory met to discuss any issue that citizens might bring up. Her nervousness began to grow, and not just because she had to stand up before all these highly respected people. She was also nervous about the very idea of leaving the Spires. This was her home. She had not spent much time away and while she longed to see the world beyond she was scared of leaving the familiar. Her entire identity was wrapped up in the Spires and the people that lived there. Who would she be when she was no longer here? Would she still be a part of the community when she was off in a far land surrounded by strangers? She had visited snowy Avanthal once with family, but this was different. If she was accepted to this program she would be going alone and have no family along to comfort and protect her. Asha found a place near the back to stand and watch proceedings. Having worked as a scribe at the Memory for a little while now she understood how the general proceedings went but still felt awkward waiting for an opportune time to speak up and present her question. Asha waited patiently for nearly a bell before the present issue began to wrap up and the Deacons prepared to shift their attention to the next issue. “Pardon? I have business for the Memory.” Asha cleared her throat and stepped forward cautiously, waiting until she had gained the attention of the room.

[Cinna]

Hathor couldn't quite restrain the yawn that crept up on him as he listened to another Deacon drone on about setting up safe fishing areas for the winter season. The issue was of course important for the city as a whole if the rivers and streams froze over this season...but Hathor did not like the monotone in which the speaker presented the issue. Sitting for the past bell listening to the same proposal of setting up a watch near selected areas had begun to bore Hathor, and several of the other members turned their heads politely to the side to yawn, which is what Hathor was doing now. He would agree with the issue of course, it was going to be needed to prevent accidents should the ice come....he just wanted to hear something more interesting. Finally, after what seemed a lot longer than a bell, the members began to conclude their business. They agreed upon setting up a guard at each assigned fishing post, equipped with the knowledge of first aid and supplies to keep the areas free of ice, which were going to be determined at a later date. Hathor let out a sigh of relief that the issue was taken care of, shifting in his seat as they began to move forward to the next matter of business. However, the sound of a young Jamouran female caught his attention, as well as the attention of the other Deacons. She had business with the council? Hathor looked at her closely, finding her familiar but unable to place a name to her. She was rather young to be bringing forth an issue for the Memory, but the discussion was open for all, and they would not turn away any issue that was brought before them. However, no one seemed to want to reply to the young female, and Hathor took it upon himself to see what it is that she was bringing to the table, so to speak. Hathor stood and cleared his throat, regarding her with a kind smile before addressing her. "Long has it been since the youth have brought forth something for the Memory to discuss, I applaud you young one," he began, growing more interested in what she had to say to them. "What is your name child, and what is on your mind this day?"

[Asha]

Asha swallowed nervously and let a moment of silence pass in order to collect herself. She had never spoken in front of the Memory before and anxiety gripped her chest. It was far too late to back out, and the longer she took to answer the more foolish she appeared. “My name is Asha, daughter of Joff and Subira. I have been made aware of an exchange program between the Jamoura of the Spires and the Akalak of Riverfall. I believe this program can be an excellent way of not only spreading our philosophies to distant lands but to gather knowledge from these places and bring it back for the benefit of our people. With this in mind, I humbly request to be a part of this program and travel to Riverfall to live and learn from their people.” Asha’s voice was a little shaky at first but eventually she gathered the confidence to project her voice and speak clearly. “I believe I am an excellent candidate and prepared for the rigors of travel. I am a young woman yet I believe this is the perfect time in my life to leave the Spires and seek exotic lands.” Asha gazed around the room to try and gauge the faces of those who listened. The Jamoura were a stone-faced bunch and had never been ones to give away their thoughts so she saw nothing of use to guess at her chances of acceptance.