4th of Fall, 514 AV
She hesitated to knock. The promise of solace lay beyond that door, and nothing could shake her fear of disappointment.
For so long, Amrita had been detached from friends and family, and Abu was the closest person she had to someone she shared a true bond with. Of course, spending a little more than a year in each other’s presence had obviously helped them build a strong foundation of friendship. He even managed to figure out exactly how to stimulate her mind and her soul without ever laying a single suggestive touch on her body. The man became a sort of spiritual kindred to her; in a way that she never thought was possible.
His departure last night was certainly bittersweet. She was happy for him, and she wanted him to pursue his dreams. She knew that he wanted the same for her. But it was obvious that they both dreaded the moment when they’d have to part ways.
And when that moment came, Amrita couldn’t bear to have him worry, so she tried her hardest to see it as a new beginning. Even though their time together had ended, she was grateful for everything that they shared while they could. There was only one nagging problem: this really was a new beginning. Finding a home, getting a job, making friends… the Benshira was basically isolated from everyone she ever loved, and everything she ever knew. She was starting anew, alone, with nowhere to go for any form of comfort. Everything, from this point forward, would have to be built from scratch. She wasn’t just travelling anymore - going from one city to the next, freeloading to her heart’s content, not worrying about money or food or shelter. That life had officially ended the second she stepped foot on the island of death.
Amrita braced herself against the door, suffocating under a deep sense of solitude as she willed herself not to cry. Her heart pounded against her chest as the anxiety of life’s uncertainty grew with every passing second. Deep breaths, relax, you’re okay – just take it one step at a time, she told herself. Focusing on the present, the dancer stared at the cracked wooden panels and tried to remember why she was here.
What did they call this place? Looking around for a sign, Rita racked her brain to recall Jaleryn’s words. She noticed the small, dirty windows off to the side and saw a glimpse of mirrors within. ‘One Foot in the Grave’, I think? … Huh. An odd name for a dance studio, she faintly smiled, the dark humour finally making sense to her. She wondered why the place looked so run-down, and then remembered Jaleryn mentioning something about it being abandoned.
The dancer adjusted the braided strap of her pack, slightly shifting the weight of her items within. She’d been certain to bring her one-and-only dance outfit and some kohl for make-up, in the hopes that she could prove her worth and ability in true, Benshiran fashion. She’d also taken care to bring a special jar as a gift for her potential employer. It took her all morning to prepare it, but Abu’s teachings were enough to help her conjure up a semi-decent batch. The merchant in the market at the crack of dawn had been kind enough to provide her with all the ingredients she needed, for a price that was more than fair. She made sure to buy a proper bowl, but was worried whether it would be too small. Fortunately, a hunk of cheese, a half a pound of flour, and two eggs were just enough to contain eight ounces of dough.
There was one last ingredient that she didn’t need to buy from the market. It was also the ingredient that she knew would never be in its purest form. Scarred, blackened palms felt next to no pain as the blade of her eating knife sliced through her calloused skin. Blood trickled into the mixture, adding delicious vivacity to a practice so ancient.
Amrita truly enjoyed making Soulmist. She may not enjoy it as much as the receiver relishes its absorption, but she does tend to take a certain amount of pleasure from the process. She only hoped the glowing gel was good enough to tame any trouble.
There was only one way to find out.
NoteLEDGER
a dozen eggs -1sm
hunk of cheese -1sm
one pound of flour -2cm
8 oz tin jar -11cm
5"/8 oz iron bowl -2cm
one ounce of kohl -1sm
Total = -3.6sm
For so long, Amrita had been detached from friends and family, and Abu was the closest person she had to someone she shared a true bond with. Of course, spending a little more than a year in each other’s presence had obviously helped them build a strong foundation of friendship. He even managed to figure out exactly how to stimulate her mind and her soul without ever laying a single suggestive touch on her body. The man became a sort of spiritual kindred to her; in a way that she never thought was possible.
His departure last night was certainly bittersweet. She was happy for him, and she wanted him to pursue his dreams. She knew that he wanted the same for her. But it was obvious that they both dreaded the moment when they’d have to part ways.
And when that moment came, Amrita couldn’t bear to have him worry, so she tried her hardest to see it as a new beginning. Even though their time together had ended, she was grateful for everything that they shared while they could. There was only one nagging problem: this really was a new beginning. Finding a home, getting a job, making friends… the Benshira was basically isolated from everyone she ever loved, and everything she ever knew. She was starting anew, alone, with nowhere to go for any form of comfort. Everything, from this point forward, would have to be built from scratch. She wasn’t just travelling anymore - going from one city to the next, freeloading to her heart’s content, not worrying about money or food or shelter. That life had officially ended the second she stepped foot on the island of death.
Amrita braced herself against the door, suffocating under a deep sense of solitude as she willed herself not to cry. Her heart pounded against her chest as the anxiety of life’s uncertainty grew with every passing second. Deep breaths, relax, you’re okay – just take it one step at a time, she told herself. Focusing on the present, the dancer stared at the cracked wooden panels and tried to remember why she was here.
What did they call this place? Looking around for a sign, Rita racked her brain to recall Jaleryn’s words. She noticed the small, dirty windows off to the side and saw a glimpse of mirrors within. ‘One Foot in the Grave’, I think? … Huh. An odd name for a dance studio, she faintly smiled, the dark humour finally making sense to her. She wondered why the place looked so run-down, and then remembered Jaleryn mentioning something about it being abandoned.
The dancer adjusted the braided strap of her pack, slightly shifting the weight of her items within. She’d been certain to bring her one-and-only dance outfit and some kohl for make-up, in the hopes that she could prove her worth and ability in true, Benshiran fashion. She’d also taken care to bring a special jar as a gift for her potential employer. It took her all morning to prepare it, but Abu’s teachings were enough to help her conjure up a semi-decent batch. The merchant in the market at the crack of dawn had been kind enough to provide her with all the ingredients she needed, for a price that was more than fair. She made sure to buy a proper bowl, but was worried whether it would be too small. Fortunately, a hunk of cheese, a half a pound of flour, and two eggs were just enough to contain eight ounces of dough.
There was one last ingredient that she didn’t need to buy from the market. It was also the ingredient that she knew would never be in its purest form. Scarred, blackened palms felt next to no pain as the blade of her eating knife sliced through her calloused skin. Blood trickled into the mixture, adding delicious vivacity to a practice so ancient.
Amrita truly enjoyed making Soulmist. She may not enjoy it as much as the receiver relishes its absorption, but she does tend to take a certain amount of pleasure from the process. She only hoped the glowing gel was good enough to tame any trouble.
There was only one way to find out.
NoteLEDGER
a dozen eggs -1sm
hunk of cheese -1sm
one pound of flour -2cm
8 oz tin jar -11cm
5"/8 oz iron bowl -2cm
one ounce of kohl -1sm
Total = -3.6sm