Closed In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

In the dead of night, citizens of Kalinor hear faint shrieks and strange echoes coming from the bottom of the caves. Aranta and Snaeha investigate

(This is a thread from Mizahar's fantasy role playing forums. Why don't you register today? This message is not shown when you are logged in. Come roleplay with us, it's fun!)

A surreal cavern city inhabited by Symenestra where stones glow and streets are reams of silk. Cocoon like structures hang between stalactites and cascade over limestone flows in organic and eerie arabesques. Without a Symenestra willing to escort you, entrance is impossible.

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Aranta on August 28th, 2014, 11:41 am

Image


92 of Summer, 514AV


Something was wrong.

Aranta frowned into the darkness as he held his breath, concentrating. Something had woken the Zith during one of his few nighttime naps, but there was no one stirring in Opsum House, and no one in the room with him. No, the sound that had awoken him had come from outside. Pushing himself to his feet, Aranta stole out of his room and crept down the halls until he exited Opsum House, looking around. There were some Symenestra on the streets, but it didn't seem like they'd heard the same thing that had woken him; unsurprising, considering the sensitivity of a Zith's hearing.

Aranta walked through Kalinor, keeping an ear open for the sounds, but he didn't hear anything until he was drawing closer to the Datura web; as he did, he was distracted by thoughts of the middle child of that web, Snaeha. Aranta's relationship with the Symenestra woman had become a bit... strained, to be frank, since the last time they had interacted for any length of time. That had been back on the thirty-fifth, when Snaeha had started teaching Aranta how to read and had then introduced him to alcohol. She'd kissed him, and then left. Since then, they'd met at the Cribellum a few more times, run into each other around Kalinor, but they had not gone on an outing specifically for the purpose of enjoying each other's company. That was partly Aranta's fault; he was still unsure of what, exactly, Snaeha wanted from him. The woman was beautiful, and from the way she acted, she was not unused to commanding male attention. But those males were usually fellow Symenestra, not Zith.

Aranta had spent enough time thinking on their situation to be honest to himself-- he cared for Snaeha, perhaps as more than friends. He wasn't certain; he'd never really had a friend before, but he was fairly certain that he spent a little too long lingering on Snaeha's physical attributes for whatever he was feeling to be strictly platonic. But, if they were to pursue a possible mating, eventually they would have to confront the phsyical aspect of such a relationship, and that was where Aranta hesitated. Symenestra were delicate creatures, this was nothing new. Zith were... not. The more bestial aspects of a Zith's innate nature came out while hunting and while making love, and Aranta did not trust himself to be able to restrain that. It was easy enough in day-to-day interaction, when he was able to think clearly, but when he gave into his instincts and his upbringing, such as when he was hunting, it was harder to drag himself back to the a more rational mindset he strove to keep. He was trying to prove to the Symenestra here that he was no beast, that he could behave and act civilized. That effort would be for naught if he hurt-- or, gods forbid, killed-- Snaeha during mating.

The Zith had been so lost in his thoughts that he had not realized he'd started moving until he ran into something-- or rather, someone. The person let out a startled squeak, and Aranta reacted on instinct, reaching out to grab the person's arm to keep them from falling over. Blinking, Aranta was startled to realize that the person he'd just almost ran over was Snaeha; the Zith wasn't sure why Snaeha was outside, but it could not hurt to ask. Unaware that he was still holding her arm, Aranta said, "What are you doing? Did you hear the sounds, too?"
Zithanese
Common
Symenos
User avatar
Aranta
Player
 
Posts: 162
Words: 64715
Joined roleplay: November 18th, 2013, 7:30 pm
Race: Zith
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Snaeha Datura on September 5th, 2014, 9:50 pm

Image
Snaeha was going insane.

Or, at least she felt that she was.

The first time she heard the echoey sounds drifting up from the bottom of Kalinor, Snaeha assumed it was a close neighbour shrieking for some reason. Crime in the city was incredibly low, so she wasn't particularly worried. Until, five chimes later, the screams hadn't subsided and Veldron Datura had visited all their closest neighbours to make sure they weren't being hacked to pieces by a psychopath.

"Nothing at the Orchid web, either."

"How strange. It'll subside. It's dinner time."


The Datura Web ate in silence, interrupted only by the harrowing shrieks. Even spirited Druston seemed subdued, and did not respond to his mother's desperate attempts to lighten the mood. Eventually, each family member drifted to bed. All except Snaeha, who paced up and down the central staircase before finally leaving. She would not sleep tonight, so why other risking the rest of her family?

Snaeha was guilt stricken; which in itself was out of character. Something strange was happening in her home city - the disappearances, the fearful cries - and she knew she ought to be full of anxiety and conspiracy. But in truth, she too distracted to think about such matters.

She had kissed him!

She had kissed him!

What was she thinking?!

Each time Ayatah reminisced about the desperate kiss she had planted upon the Zith's lips, her stomach twisted and she felt her cheeks and ears flush. This had not gone unnoticed by her brothers, who delighted in demanding why their sister seemed distant and embarrassed.

In truth, a part of Snaeha was relieved. She had wanted to kiss him for a while, so to have finally done so (even if in a slightly drunken stupor) had some twist of release to it. The itch had been scratched, the need had been fulfilled.

Though of course, now she wanted more.

I'm a glutton for punishment. She thought miserably. When a mysterious voice screamed in answer, Snaeha sent a withering look into the endless darkness beneath her: oh please, my position is so much worse.

The worse part of her conundrum was that she and Aranta had seen little of each other over the past few days. Their close friendship, which had formed so quickly, was something she was greatly missing. But she felt awkward, almost humiliated. The thought of him rejecting her advance threw Snaeha into a state of anxiety and fear; she'd never been rejected before, and didn't want to start now. So it seemed the lesser of two evils to simply... avoid going out of her way to find him, as she had done before.

I need to decide; do I want it all with Aranta?

"Oh!" She flinched and managed to swallow the scream that had almost escaped from her throat. When she opened her eyes, and she realised who had touched her, Snaeha instantly smiled, and her eyes warmed and her heart fluttered. "Aranta." His name was said tenderly, almost secretively. Her hand went to his arm, touching him softly and appreciating the warmth emanating from his skin. "Yes. I do. Do you?"

Whether or not she was answering the Zith's question or her own was unclear even to Snaeha.
Image
.
User avatar
Snaeha Datura
Player
 
Posts: 146
Words: 90528
Joined roleplay: March 28th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Aranta on September 5th, 2014, 10:05 pm

Image


OOCPsst. You called Snaeha "Ayatah" at least once there. ;)

Aranta nodded. "They woke me up," he explained. "Do you have any idea what they are?" Aranta had not heard any rumors of what could possibly be causing the noises, but then again most Symenestra had already retired to their beds by the time Aranta made his way to the residential area of Kalinor. The Zith, of course, did not have any inkling as to Snaeha's inner struggle; he was distracted both by his own and by the question of the noises.

Another scream came from below their feet, and Aranta could not help the glance that he sent downwards. The screams seemed desperate, panicked. To the Zith's sensitive ears, it was as if whoever-- or whatever-- was creating them was standing right next to him, and he could not contain his wince.
Zithanese
Common
Symenos
User avatar
Aranta
Player
 
Posts: 162
Words: 64715
Joined roleplay: November 18th, 2013, 7:30 pm
Race: Zith
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Snaeha Datura on September 7th, 2014, 1:42 pm

Image
Snaeha shook her head slowly. "No. We thought it was a neighbour in trouble, but--" she too visibly winced when the blood-curdling shriek ripped out of the dark, "-- it wasn't." The end of her sentence was tagged on helplessly, and the young Symenestra swallowed.

The noises were frantic, and each one sent Snaeha's heart into a little panicked flutter. The silence that followed was even worse though, and soon she was wishing for the quiet to be broken by something - anything. "I don't think anyone knows what they are." The statement was obvious, and did not need to be said, but her desperation for sound was making Snaeha say anything. Her mind raced, building up a sentence to fill the quiet. "I... am sorry I kissed you."

It was a lie - Snaeha wasn't sorry she had kissed her friend, but she was sorry about the awkwardness that had ensued. "I didn't want that to--" another scream, and she raised her voice urgently to try and hide the sound to her own ears, "--make you feel uncomfortable."

The scream and her voice finished at the same time, and once again Snaeha found herself surrounded by a pregnant silence.

oocOoops! Always awkward. Sorry for the delay, internet problems are still at large here
Image
.
User avatar
Snaeha Datura
Player
 
Posts: 146
Words: 90528
Joined roleplay: March 28th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Aranta on September 7th, 2014, 2:06 pm

Image


Hm. If it wasn't a neighbor, than who could be making the noises? They did sound like they were coming from below Kalinor, so perhaps someone had become trapped?

Aranta was pulled from his thoughts by Snaeha's words. The Zith tilted his head; Snaeha's heartbeat was odd, but Aranta didn't focus on that, rather on trying to find the words to reassure his friend. "I did not mind the kiss," he replied honestly. "It was... nice." And it was; it just wasn't something that Aranta was used to seeing, much less experiencing; Zith didn't show affection the same way the other races did.

As another scream split the air, Aranta decided to tell Snaeha why he had been distant the past few weeks. "Why did you do it?" he asked, curious; his voice held no judgement or demand, simply a desire to know the truth. "I did not mind it-- I liked it-- but you should know that Zith... Are not like Symenestra. Zith are not generally free with their affections." He worried his lower lip with his teeth, ignoring the sting of his sharp teeth against the skin. "We only usually show affection towards those that we would mate with, and Zith take only one mate as long as both live." The Zith cursed his tongue; every time he came close to saying what he was thinking, he chickened out and instead circled around the subject.

OOCAwkwardness is good. :') And looks like they're going to be spending more time talking about their relationship rather than investigating the screams... >.>
Zithanese
Common
Symenos
User avatar
Aranta
Player
 
Posts: 162
Words: 64715
Joined roleplay: November 18th, 2013, 7:30 pm
Race: Zith
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Snaeha Datura on September 7th, 2014, 6:07 pm

Image
She smiled weakly at his admission that the kiss was appreciated. That was a good sign at least, though that second sentence sounded worryingly like the word 'but' was to be attached on the end. It did not however, so Snaeha felt the sensation of cool relief run down her spine.

His question, however, filled her up with dread once again. She had not considered the racially different ways of showing affection - Snaeha simply assumed that all races kissed and embraced. She considered this fact for a moment, as well as what he said about the Zith's own means of affection.

And of course, the fact that Zith only took one mate until death rang constantly in her mind. She cared about Aranta, truly did, but it was a heady thought for Snaeha to even consider taking a lifelong partner. She lived a carefree life, generally not thinking about the consequences of her actions until too late -- and even then hoping that her charm and good looks would be enough to worm herself out of any unpleasant situations. "I wanted to." Her answer was, of course, to his initial question. She would discuss the matter of lifelong partners another time - hopefully.

She began to walk, all too aware that standing in the silken streets of Kalinor seemed far too unproductive. Something strange was happening in her city - or below her city - and Snaeha felt some level of responsibility. "We should... walk?" She suggested.

oocHaha, Kalinor problems! I'm sure we can multitask :)
Image
.
User avatar
Snaeha Datura
Player
 
Posts: 146
Words: 90528
Joined roleplay: March 28th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Aranta on September 7th, 2014, 6:39 pm

Image


Aranta nodded, easily keeping pace with the shorter person. They gradually mad their way through the city, slowly working further and further down. They didn't talk much for the first few chimes, and then Aranta was the one to break the silence. "I like you," he said, his voice soft, uncertain. "But I know you... Like many men." He knew that Snaeha was flirty, knew that she enjoyed the attention of many people, and that many of those people were male. "Zith are very different from your kind. We fight for our women, for the privilege of mating with them. We bring them gifts of food to declare our interest, and if the female accepts, the courting continues. If there is another male, then the males fight and the winner claims the right to keep courting. In the end, it is the female's choice. Each female declares her choice publicly, and then the two mate."

Aranta did not mention, of course, that in a way, they had already gone through a similar courting ritual-- Aranta had helped Snaeha hunt the first time they'd met, and he and the young Symenestra male at the Place of Purging had had a silent rivalry for Snaeha's attention. Snaeha had chosen Aranta, and then she had kissed him. If Snaeha were a Zith, Aranta would feel secure in the knowledge that the woman had chosen him, and that she was interesting in mating with him. Aranta had no knowledge of what Symenestra did to indicate their choice of mates, and thus while his own instincts were telling him that Snaeha had chosen him, he had no idea what was going on in Snaeha's mind.

A new scream rent the air, startling Aranta from his thoughts, and his head came up fast enough that he could hear a crack in his neck. His eyes went slightly unfocused as he trained all of his willpower into listening to the echoes, attempting to decipher where the screams were originating from, but to no avail. With a frustrated huff, Aranta's shoulders slumped. "I cannot tell from where the screams come."

OOCDammit, Aranta, quit opening your fat mouth. Also don't mind me, just BSing some Zith mating rituals; feel free to swat me with a newspaper if you want me to change anything, as always. :)
Zithanese
Common
Symenos
User avatar
Aranta
Player
 
Posts: 162
Words: 64715
Joined roleplay: November 18th, 2013, 7:30 pm
Race: Zith
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Snaeha Datura on September 7th, 2014, 10:56 pm

Image
She was a little irked by what her friend said. It was a justified statement, but nevertheless it did not sit right with Snaeha. She enjoyed flirting, of course, but the fact that the habit had seemingly come back to bite her on the backside had been unexpected. "I do not like lots of men." She muttered defensively. The temptation to add 'lots of men like me' was great, but she managed to resist. "It's just... I have fun." She shrugged her shoulders, muddled between defending her social life and not wanting her companion to get the wrong idea. She grumbled, a strange, frustrated noise and tried to describe her chosen lifestyle. "I like talking to people, and the easiest way to do that as a woman - as me - is to flirt with men. But it doesn't mean anything. None of it does." She assumed, either rightly or wrongly, that Aranta would realise he was of course an exception to this rule.

The mating rituals of Zith were... different. In truth, the mere idea of men fighting over women was strange and uncomfortable. There were jealousies and rivalries in Symenestra courting, obviously, but nothing as far as fighting specifically for... mating rights. That word alone, 'mating', was something used to describe cattle and pets, not people. "Ours is a little different. It's casual. Two people meet, they get on, fall in love--" She caught herself short, aware of how childish the perfect story she was narrating sounded. A nervous little laugh escaped from her lips. "There's no-- fighting with us. If two people wanted to mate, they would marry and -- mate." That final word was a struggle.

She fell silent again, and was thankful when the Zith spoke about the screams yet again. Snaeha smirked at his frustration. "The caves throw any sound off. It's hard to know where they are coming from." Perhaps it was this mentality that was keeping Snaeha somewhat calm in the midst of these screams. It was blatantly obvious where the sounds originated from; although they echoed from the left or right, even a half-deaf individual would guess that the mysterious source of the screams was located at the bottom of the Kalinor caverns. She flashed the Zith an intrigued look, wondering how much he knew about what her people put down at the bottom. "Did you know we throw our dead surrogates into the caves?" It certainly threw a new, worrying, slant onto what was making all that noise.

oocHaha, no worries! I wouldn't have known if you hadn't said :)
Image
.
User avatar
Snaeha Datura
Player
 
Posts: 146
Words: 90528
Joined roleplay: March 28th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Aranta on September 8th, 2014, 12:06 am

Image


Aranta could understand Snaeha's logic-- and he hadn't meant to make it seem like he was accusing her of anything. The Zith was hesitant to try to interpret what her last comment meant, about none of it meaning anything; did she usually kiss these other men that she talked to? Aranta didn't think that would be something that the Symenestra would do. He listened intently to the explanation Snaeha gave him of Symenestra courting, and he nodded along with her words. He'd known that Zith were different from other races, and it was clear that this was yet another way in which their culture varied from the rest of Mizahar's.

One word in particular caught his attention. "Love?" Aranta asked, tilting his head curiously. "What is love?" From what Snaeha said, it was an important part of the courting ritual that the Symenestra engaged in, but that didn't tell Aranta what, exactly, it was.

Snaeha's very last sentence gave Aranta pause; he knew that the Symenestra used surrogates to carry their young-- something to do with low population and extreme danger to the women during childbirth-- but he had never thought about what they would do with the bodies. "No, I did not know that," he said after a moment. "What are you thinking?"
Zithanese
Common
Symenos
User avatar
Aranta
Player
 
Posts: 162
Words: 64715
Joined roleplay: November 18th, 2013, 7:30 pm
Race: Zith
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

In the Dead of the Night[Snaeha]

Postby Snaeha Datura on September 8th, 2014, 9:43 pm

Image
What is love?

The question startled Snaeha. She was no true romantic, not really, but to question love was like asking what happiness was. Did the Zith truly lack a word for 'love' in their culture? How did they select their mates if they didn't have such a word? "Love is..." Such a challenge to explain a basic emotion! "When you care very much for someone, and they make you happy. And you want to spend all your time with them." She had never been in love herself, but Snaeha knew the basic emotional and thought processes attached to it. "It's specific for one person, and that person only." This part in particular she emphasised heavily. "If you chose a mate, you would have feelings for her that you wouldn't for anyone else. That is love." A pause, then she quickly added, "you can also love your parents or children, but that's different." She hoped this extra addition to her explanation would not confuse matters further.

His second question was definitely easier to answer. A fain smile appeared on her lips, and Snaeha recalled the horror stories of her childhood. "As kids, my brothers and I would tell each other tales of the Surrogates coming back to life." it seemed preposterous, a typical childlike story. The smile fainted, just a tad. "This just makes me think of those stories."

Of course, death was definite (especially death by poison in childbirth), so such stories would obviously remain tales, and not the truth. "It's silly, really. Because... that can't happen." She heard the doubt in her own voice, and that startled Snaeha even more than her friend's earlier question. She cleared her throat, and peered down into the darkness once more, "it's strange. Nobody's ever gone down there, not my knowledge anyway." It must have been gruesome, with those rotting carcasses and Gods-only-knew what else lay at the bottom of the caves, "So we don't know what's in those shadows."
Image
.
User avatar
Snaeha Datura
Player
 
Posts: 146
Words: 90528
Joined roleplay: March 28th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets

Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests