Flashback Fleeing the Plantation [Ravenna]

[Adelaide Sitai]

84th Winter 511AV
Ninth Bell

It was two days since Zuleikha had left with her new husband, Gideon, for Zeltiva and Adelaide was feeling quite bitter at the loss of both her sister and of a good friend. Mr and (the new) Mrs van Arken's departure left her feeling very alone, on a vague new downwards spiral after the elation of the wedding. She had not left the plantation for a little over the year and she had not been into Kenash since before she left for Zeltiva. When had that been? Three years? Four years... yes, not since Winter five hundred and seven. How happy had she been then? Moving on towards a brighter, better future with no cares in the world. Now, she was overcome by the feeling that she could never be happy again, even as she knew that she was getting better. The fact that her health was coming back and she'd started sleeping well enough made her sad in itself. When she looked in the mirror that morning, before making her escape, she was struck by the fact that her skin was pale rather than white, her cheeks not so gaunt and her rib-bones didn't jut out so disgustingly. While still sickly looking, she had put on weight, having started eating properly again. But why was she doing so? The young woman could not help but feel as if she was betraying Naolom's memory by regaining her health, while knowing full well that he would disapprove strongly of her moping.

The air in the house was hot. She had needed to get out, and she didn't merely want to go for a walk. Adelaide wanted to see Kenash, see if it had changed and, most of all, she didn't want to be around people who treated her like the invalid she was. It was with this in mind, therefore, that she made her escape from her room at the crack of dawn, long before the maid would come to wake her. Half a bell later, having dressed and walked to the river - hoping none of the slaves would mark her crossing the fields surreptitiously and tell her father - she was on a Draer Shallow in the direction of Kenash. A bell later, the ninth bell, she was sat on glass beach - alone save for some sort of bird flapping above her. Adelaide had no idea of the species for she was no ornithologist, but she hardly cared anyway, more occupied by other issues. The beach, naturally, had not changed, but neither had the rest of the city... she might as well have never left it, and could not help but feel a sudden pang wishing she never had.

Adelaide knew she must have looked an odd little figure, wrapped up in a dark cashmere coat, too large for her, blending in with her dark hair and dark eyes, making her pale skin look, if possible, even paler. She looked out to the sea with a gesture of helplessness, not caring that a hard piece of glass was digging into her thigh, even if she was bound to be left with a large bruise, and instead watched the waves wash over each other, forever seeming to come towards her but eternally beyond her reach. Still, she was glad to be there. Mainly because the sea never changed and its constancy in her world, and in everybody's world, offered her comfort even as she wondered what it would be like to drown. She imagined it to be soft and cool; like dreaming. The other side to her choice to be at the beach was because it was the last place that they'd come looking for her when they eventually realised she was missing.

"Catch me if you can, you bastards." she murmured to herself.

[Ravenna Raye]

x

It was very early in the day. Ravenna, once again awake with the rising of the sun, stared blankly around her, mind rattling on and attempting to decide whether or not she should force herself back to sleep, or climb out of bed to go busy herself with something. She didn't always wake this early, but here lately, she had been, and it'd begun making her miserable. Not the kind of person to sit and wallow, Ravenna tried all she could to always remain cheerful. It helped both motivate herself, and others around her, and she rather enjoyed being a positive influence, even if it wasn't much. The silence was stifling and the stuffiness in the room, just now reaching her awareness, beckoned her further from sleep. With a sigh, the teen removed herself from her bed, dressed, and quietly let herself outside to find amusement elsewhere.

The weather was rather comfortable, even though it was Winter, but therein was the beauty of Kenash. Temperatures fluctuated some, but it remained perfectly tolerable year-round. It rained, and therefore flooded, quite a bit, but at least it didn't freeze. Boots squished into the soft ground as Ravenna walked along, the city still very quiet in the early hours. It was a contrast to the usual bustle of the city, and in the wee hours of the morning was the only time this contrast could be enjoyed. Most wouldn't be awake and in motion for a few more bells, and this allowed Ravenna to enjoy the city however she chose, without the eyes and scrutinies of others. It was for this reason the girl decided she would go to Glass Beach. It's unique beauty was breathtaking to behold in even the busiest of times, but it was absolutely exquisite in the quiet of the sunrise, and alone. The only sounds and movements around her was the sound of the swampland the city was built upon. The raw nature surrounding Ravenna was soothing.

She arrived at Glass Beach in good time, the sun was up enough now to start casting colors on the shore, but still low enough to keep the people in their beds. It was the best time to see the beach in action, a giddy smile instantly brightening the face of the young girl. Her delighted features instantly faded when she noted upon her arrival, that she wasn't alone this time. Another had had found themself along the shore, even earlier than she had, and sat curled in a coat, staring blankly out at the water ahead. Ravenna's position was enough behind the woman to watch her for a moment, trying to decide if she should join her, go elsewhere on the beach, or go elsewhere all together. The prospect of meeting someone there though, an unusual occurence for the times Ravenna went there, was intriguing enough to spur the girl into joining the mysterious woman.

Gently making her way down the shore, Ravenna greeted the woman as she sat down a couple of feet away, nestling her bottom down into the pebbles beneath her so they wouldn't dig into her. "Hello there! Good morning. It's not often I see anyone else out here. I'm Ravenna." She paused, realizing that she may be interrupting something serious for the woman. She also took into account who she may be. In that moment, at just a glance, it was difficult to tell if the woman was Freeborn or a Dynast. Ravenna dearly hoped she didn't just step out of line with a Dynast, fingers absent-mindedly tracing the Freeborn scar on her opposite wrist. It certainly wasn't frowned upon to be social with someone of a different status than you, but Ravenna always feared she'd say something she shouldn't by mistake, and get herself into trouble. So she usually refrained. She wondered though, if maybe it was time to change that. She couldn't see the woman's wrists, so there would be no telling unless she asked, or unless the woman chose to engage in conversation with her. She could only hope for the best. "Do you come here often?"

x

[Adelaide Sitai]

Just as Adelaide was retreating into her own embrace, drawing her arms and knees closer to her chest and ready for that perfect feeling of complete lethargy by choice, someone started speaking. Slowly, reluctantly, Adelaide turned around to ascertain who the voice belonged to, probably a woman... no, a girl. Catching the girl's eye, Adelaide felt her jaws lock together and her teeth gnash slightly. She was doing her best to not be rude, to not snarl or scowl or make a noise of anger, but it was very difficult. The girl seemed young enough, with wide eyes and that air of untouched happiness that only came from the simple pleasure of safety, health and domestic stability. Even if she didn't believe herself happy, she seemed happier than Adelaide ever felt she would be again. And that in spite of their differences in status, for she was marked as a freeborn.

"Yes." she said finally, not taking her eyes off the girl, but letting her answer hang limply in the air. It might not have been altogether clear what the answer was for, but Adelaide had intended it to deal with every statement Ravenna (Was that what she had said she was called? Adelaide's mind felt too foggy to remember clearly) had made in that one word. Yes, it wasn't often she saw anyone else at Glass Beach that early in the morning. Yes, she went there often or, at least, used to go there often. And though the young woman hadn't exactly asked it out loud, yes she was interrupting.

There was an awkward silence which Adelaide did not seem bound to break. Then, finally, she turned away and looked back towards the sea. In a breath, she muttered, "I'm Adelaide. Adelaide Sitai."

It was lucky that the woman was freeborn, for she would be less likely to have heard the rumours which so many of the Dynasts had spread about the young Sitai. It was true that when one left a city for close to three years, four including the time she had remained prostrate in bed at the Bloodflower plantation, rumours were bound to come about. Adelaide had seen that for herself at Zuleikha's wedding, where all the other Dynasts had been invited, and where all the other Dynasts were looking as much at the sister of the Bride as the Bride herself. She had overheard some of the stories, and been told a couple more by a gleeful Flavia. The least tactful had mentioned, to her face, how much weight she had lost and how pale she looked. Even the most tactful had avoided looking at the slightly jutting bones and the white skin. Instead choosing to merely look with concern at the tired eyes and make pointed small talk about everything and nothing, subjects so pointless that Adelaide had been unable to recall them once the conversation over. On the whole, at any rate.

At least this girl would not dare say anything if she had heard anything and at least, with the blanket covering Adelaide's body, she would not be able to tell how skinny the Sitai was.

Ravenna did not look bound to disappear so Adelaide turned back to her and asked, with a well-concealed sigh, "Do you like poetry?"

[Ravenna Raye]

x

The woman had turned to her as she spoke, slowly and in an mostly uninterested manner, and a small surge of panic flowed through Ravenna's veins. She didn't look angry, but there was something distant and almost cold about her appearance and the stare she sent the girl's way that mildly unsettled the teen. She chose to stay however, and at least see what she would say before she made a choice to leave her be or remain there with her. One word escaped her lips, a simple "yes", and then nothing more. No movement, gesture, other words, or anything else. Ravenna wasn't sure what exactly the woman was saying yes to, but something about the feeling in that moment made her refrain from further prodding her further.

A few discerning moments later, the mysterious woman introduced herself as Adelaide Sitai. The teen's mouth gaped open in surprise. She couldn't believe she was sitting next to and conversing with a Dynast! Living in Kenash, Dynasts were everywhere, but that didn't mean that Ravenna had any contact with them. Her parents both worked in Dynasty business, but that was them. Not young Ravenna. And it took her off guard that the woman before here was a member of any Dynasty family, as her dark and apathetic exterior didn't resemble the mannerisms or physical appearance of a Dynasty family. The observation made the teen wonder if Ms.Sitai were in trouble or having problems. It wasn't that a member of Kenash's high class couldn't sit and enjoy Glass Beach in the early morning, but the air around this woman just wasn't right. How to find out without overstepping her boundaries though, that was the big question.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms.Sitai." The Freeborn dipped her head a bit, honoring the woman's higher standing, though she couldn't tell if the gesture was lost on the woman or not. Either way, she felt better having done it, for being safe rather than sorry was never a bad decision to make. Ravenna racked her brain for something else to say, a topic to make casual conversation with, and hopefully one that wouldn't have the Sitai sending her on her way in disdain. Her palms turned clammy, heartbeat beginning to race. She was so nervous, so afraid to misspeak or attempt to interact in a way that wasn't acceptable. She'd be devastated if she failed. She didn't handle failure or confrontation well. She always aimed to please, it was a deeply rooted need within her to please those around her. Breaking through the screams echoing in Ravenna's brain as she began to mildly panic, Adelaide's voice brought vibrant hazel eyes looking up to meet a pair of dark and shadowy ones. The Sitai was turned and looking at her again, asking her if she was fond of poetry, and Ravenna straightened in her seat before responding. "Yes ma'am. I haven't been fortunate enough to know or hear much poetry, but when I do get to, I enjoy it very much." She paused for a moment. "May I inquire as to why you ask?"

x

[Adelaide Sitai]

The dip of the head did not pass unnoticed, but it did not achieve the desired effect... not that that was the young girl's fault. Old Adelaide would have graciously acknowledged such a gesture of respect. Current Adelaide was dismissive of it at best and, at worst, angered by the sycophancy of the inclination of the head. So, the girl was a sycophant - just like all the rest. The young woman only just stopped herself from making a noise of mild disgust and, instead, pulled the coat even closer around her. It had been a gift from her sister before she disappeared off to Zeltiva and abandoned her and it still had Zuleikha's smell hanging on it.

"Ravenna, eh? A right rosy ray of sunshine, I'm sure." the Sitai's grin was sardonic, as she spoke alliteratively. That, in a way, could be the beginnings of poetry and would have been an interesting avenue to explore.

After a moment, her face had a little moue and she said, her voice testy, "Well? Sit down. I do not like you looming over me like that. The sun seems ephemeral at this time of day and you're doing an excellent job of blocking it out." before adding, with a wry laugh as she turned away and pulled the coat up to her chin, "Didn't you know that a freeborn's head must never be higher than a dynast's?"

She still hadn't confirmed that that was what she was, having not given a surname, but Adelaide - like all of those from the highest nobility - sensed those of lesser blood intrinsically. A skill which she now recognised with a strong sense of self-loathing. Why did the adolescent seem so nervous? After all, she had been the one to start the conversation. Not Adelaide. And Adelaide had invited her to continue talking out of courtesy, at great personal cost for her desire to remain alone and pensive.

"Why I ask?" the Dynast finally turned her mind to the question, but could not help but feel slightly affronted, "Does poetry ever need a reason? When it is perhaps the single most important tool in expressing the human condition - the condition we all suffer from and the many trials and pleasures, highs and lows, in this terminal disease known as life?"

No doubt, the young woman sounded slightly mad as she laughed hollowly. After all, she felt like she wanted to be slightly mad. She wanted to run around the house in bloodied, ripped nightgowns, singing old songs and recounting the tales of a past life. She wanted to burn down crops and dance barefoot on their burning embers, demanding that the slaves be set free. Unfortunately, Adelaide was not mad. The sheer pressure that her sanity offered her, the pressure of having to return to her life and do something useful, seemed unbearable. Madness had become the ultimate luxury, and she had not been allowed that luxury. Her health would, no doubt, improve and then she'd be stuck in a monotonous life, forever unable to love, before the head of her Dynasty finally snapped and married her off to some dim lout in order to forge some ill-thought alliance - just so that they would not have to deal with the shame of having a crazy old maid in the house.

"There's a poem I like, about the sea, but I've forgotten how it goes." she paused as she tried to rack her brains, "Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea.... that's how it starts." there was a little sigh then, though perhaps not an altogether sad one. Rather, a thoughtful one, "I'm going to write poems about the sea. And this beach."

[Ravenna Raye]

x

Sarcasm and a hint of disgust coated the Sitai's voice heavily as she made a retort about her name, and then directed her to sit down and stop blocking the sun. The ulterior backlash of her tone struck Ravenna pretty ardently, but she bit her lip and did all she could to conceal this fact. She knew not if this woman was normally so fierce in her mannerisms, or if something was bothering her, and it wasn't her place to ask, but the teen refused to let it deter her. She was smart enough to realize the opportunity at hand, to get to know a Dynast one on one. She didn't intend to waste these moments. Biting her lip a bit, Ravenna politely did as she was told, sitting solemnly next to Adelaide.

Another round of harsh tones reached her ears as the Dynast responded to Ravenna's question with shock and even offense. Albeit smug, her words were prophetic, coupled with an empty laugh that reached deep to touch the heart of the teen. Something deeply tormented this woman, devoured her mind and her heart, and to anyone who didn't know her, or wasn't smart enough to pick up on it, no one would ever know. However, Ravenna was intuitive enough, even in her young age, to be able to detect the difference between meaning to behave the way Adelaide was, and when her behavior was the result of something else. She dared not bring it to attention, but it gave her a different perspective with which to treat their encounter, and gave her ideas as to how to move forward with her. Attempting to choose her words carefully, Ravenna racked her mind to come up with a proper response to the woman's reply, but she spoke again before the girl could say a word.

"Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea."

Adelaide told the beginning of the poem, but the rest was lost among her memories. This saddened Ravenna, for she loved the feel to the first few lines and she wanted to hear the rest of it. She hadn't previously heard this particular poem, but she found it beautiful. The Sitai spoke of writing poems about the sea and Glass Beach, and the thought delighted the teen, her face perking up as a bright smile flashed across her face. Her excitement counteracted the Dynast's dark mood, but she didn't altogether care at the moment. Perhaps her better mood would life the spirits of the woman. Or it would have the opposite effect and make matters worse. She could only hope for the best as she spoke. "Oh! That would be so lovely! I've never been out to sea, but I've always loved to watch the water and the sounds it makes rushing up and down off the shore. Did you grow up coming to this beach a lot? If you do write about it all, I'd just love to hear how the poems turn out! If you wouldn't mind, of course. Poetry is just so beautiful."

x

[Adelaide Sitai]

Adelaide didn't really care whether Ravenna sat down with her or not, but did care that her order was obeyed... not that it wouldn't be. The girl probably wasn't stupid and knew better than to risk offending a Dynast. But why did she seem so relentlessly happy? What could be gained from such an effusion of happiness but ultimately disappointment? Oh, to be the age where you had not yet realised that everything was hopeless, that everyone was doomed to never ever being happy, that even the smallest child could not escape from the darkness, from the cruelty of the world. If Adelaide, as a dynast, had seen that then why were there so many freeborn and even slaves who hadn't? Well, soon Ravenna'd learn. Or worse, she'd realise that there was no point to the monotony of the never-changing, that the world was dull. More dull that that, however, was Ravenna's incessant admiration of everything - 'would be lovely', 'loved to watch the water', 'love to hear the poems' and, naturally, 'poetry is just so beautiful'. Wasn't she tired of the word 'love'? Love was fleeting and just as you thought that all your dreams had come true, life snatched it away forever. Love was simply life's way of teasing one into believing that there was more to it.

"You talk a lot and don't say very much." the young woman observed the young adolescent with raised eyebrows but her voice had softened slightly while still retaining its dismissive tone, "If you like poetry so much, why not say something interesting? I have an idea. Let's improvise - we can do alternate lines."

The young woman drew her feet to her and proceeded to remove her shoes. Then, shifting slightly so that she was no longer sitting on the hard bit of glass, she buried her feet partly in the sand, so that her toes were no longer visible, and let her head fall back slightly so that her eyes fell more on the white-washed sky, the horizon visible a the peripherals of her vision.

"Now, what rhymes with sea?" she wondered aloud, her tone ironic, "Bee, tea..." then deciding that that was not the route to take and instead considering the effect of the sea on the stones of glass beach, she said, a sardonic grin like a grimace on her face, "Shimmering over the shining beach glass, the saltwater tide is coming in fast." There was another pause then, in which Adelaide let her head fall back forward and looked up at Ravenna, her gaze tauntingly challenging, "Well then? Your turn. I said, 'Shimmering over the shining beach glass, the saltwater tide is coming in fast.' Now what will you say?"

Adelaide's throat was dry and she could not help but wish she had something to drink - anything would do. It was like she had something the size of a cherry stuck in her throat and it was prickling, heavy even. She sighed and let a curtain of dark hair fall in front of her face. The bird's singing was now giving her a headache.

[Orin Fenix]

Grades are Served

 

Adelaide Sitai

Skill	XP
Observation	4
Endurance	1
Planning	1
Subterfuge	1
Land Navigation	1
Philosophy	3
Socialization	3
Poetry	2
Intimidation	1
Composition	1

Lores

• Composition: Alternating Lines with a Partner
• Philosophy: What's the point of being happy?
• Zuleikha and Gideon left for Zeltiva
• Dealing with depression
• Subterfuge: Making an Early Escape
• Philosophy: Eternity of the Sea
• Location: Glass Beach
• Ravenna Raye: Happy Freeborn
• Poetry: Basic Alliteration
• Ravenna Raye: Sycophant, just like all the rest
• Beginning of the poem about the sea

Extras :

Another lovely thread. Sorry to see it got cut short. I must say I am very impressed with your poetry!

 

Ravenna Raye

Ravenna, once you've updated your CS PM me and I'll happily award your grades.

Don't forget to edit or delete your grade request in the grade request thread.

If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message.