[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

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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.

[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Nisana Curare on January 4th, 2011, 4:15 pm

Season of Winter, Day 13, 496 AV

Nisana gave a soft groan as she climbed up the steep wall that led to the Blue Grotto. Much of her body ached from the training she had done today, and she was sure that her body wrap covered what would be several bruises. Despite the pain there was a smile on her face though, as she knew that her Mother was proud of the progress she was making. Soon she would be able to join her Mother on hunts, and eventually she would be allowed to hunt on her own.

Reaching the ledge she paused a moment to peer down at the blue water below, and she was relieved to see that not many Symenestra were in the Grotto currently. It wasn't that she disliked the presence of other Symenestra, in general it was nice to be around others, but the Grotto was a place where many gossiped. While it had been some years since the worst rumors of her Mother's indiscretions had flitted about Kalinor, and most had faded away, there were still those who would cast unpleasant glances her way and speak in hushed tones.

Descending along the cavern wall slowly, so as to not put extra strain on her sore body, she made her way to the water's edge and slipped into its warm comfort with a relieved sigh. A long training like she had had today deserved a reward like this. Sliding down until the water covered her shoulders she looked up at the stalactites that littered the ceiling above, and idly dreamed of her future as a hunter.
"Moz seh krevas dav'ene obris zhevat."

Nisana has a few threads loose in her head. Anything written underlined in her posts is only in her perceptions, and should be ignored by anyone else. :)
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Nisana Curare
Alt of Alenias, Proud Huntress
 
Posts: 156
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Velarian Zantedeschia on January 4th, 2011, 8:39 pm

The stone was cold under his fingers, smooth and just a little moist from the water seeping from the ceiling. Below him shimmered the water of the grotto, vivid blue and lucid green, inviting. Taking a deep breath the young man pushed away from the rock, gliding down the two feet separating him from the cavern ground. He landed with a soft thud, the sound or bare feet touching hard stone. Slowly he stood up, the moving parts of his armor scratching against each other with an barely audible sound. Stretching Velarian looked around. Dozens of stalagmites hung above his head, white, black and all shades in between, they gleamed wet in the half light of the cave. The young man didn't pay them much mind, instead venturing deeper into the cave, past placid pools and puddles.

The grotto was filled with the sound of dripping water and quiet murmur, the former outweighing the later, which was a rare occurrence. Few wandered the cave tonight and those who did the symenestra was not familiar with. Some he knew in passing, but most he could not tell the name of. Sitting down at the fringe of a larger basin, he relaxed against dark, cool rock.

He had spend most of the day helping his father, preparing toys for animation. A whole set of song birds a man in Lhavit had ordered, sparrows, nightingales and larks made from copper and tin. They couldn't fly but with the little cylinder in their bellies they were able to produce a tune much the way a music box was able to. Velarian had no talent for working metal, not with so small parts and not with so complicate mechanics but even his father had to admit he had a talent for the Animation process itself. Eventually he would learn the delicacies of gadgeteering one day, but the young man doubt to ever reach his father's mastery in the trade.

Maybe I should...

The noise of water splashing drew his attention. Swimming in the water beside him he spotted someone. A young girl, not quite a woman yet, dark hair framing her face. She was younger than him at least by a few years, too young to be part of the group used to hang out with and her face was only vaguely familiar to him.

"It is the first time I see someone swimming here." Velarian nodded towards the water. "I never even thought about it," he confessed with a little smirk. The expression made his formerly serious face more winsome, but just barely so. He remained a lanky youth of fifteen and he cut a rather unimpressive figure. Briefly he looked towards the other visitors, too far away to hear them talking. Most seem to visit the grotto to mingle or stroll among the ponds, although he had to admit he sometimes had tried to push other boys into the basins when he had still been younger. It had almost been like a game. One he tended to loose.

"Are you coming from training?" He could see the first violet of bruises bloom on her pale skin and he knew it was the age his brother had started training with sword and spear. In his youth he had wanted to learn to fight as well, but it has passed, like so many things. Still, curiosity was evident in his eyes when he watched her, waiting her answer.
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Velarian Zantedeschia
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Nisana Curare on January 4th, 2011, 9:32 pm

For a short while Nisana was lost in the dim calmness that filled the Grotto. Letting her thoughts drift she simply watched the water dripping from stalactites through half-lidded eyes. The warmth of the water slowly seeped into her body, soothing the dull pain that seemed to be most everywhere. She had to admit the Grotto was one of her favorite places to rest, especially when few Symenestra were about.

The sound of a nearby voice quickly returned Nisana's attention to the area around her, more specifically to the older boy who had spoken to her. Her amethyst eyes took in his features as he spoke to her. He wasn't well known to her, but it wasn't like she knew everyone in the city. His rather unimpressive figure gave her the impression that he was not a hunter like her, but that was hardly something to judge off of looks alone. For a moment she felt a twinge of displeasure at having her reverie interrupted, but the boy's attitude seemed to be one of pleasant curiosity, not the distaste or pity she had seen from those she liked to avoid. So instead of ignoring him, or moving away, she decided to stay and see what he had to said.

In reply to his question Nisana gave the faintest of nods before speaking, "Yes, I was training with my Mother. The water is quite warm and pleasant to sit in, especially after a long day," as she spoke she gave him a pleasant smile, as her Mother was not only teaching her to hunt, but also how to charm with words, and that was something she was supposed to practice frequently, "I have not had the pleasure of meeting you before. I am Nisana Curare," she lifted her right hand out of the water and offered it to the boy, "And you are?"
"Moz seh krevas dav'ene obris zhevat."

Nisana has a few threads loose in her head. Anything written underlined in her posts is only in her perceptions, and should be ignored by anyone else. :)
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Nisana Curare
Alt of Alenias, Proud Huntress
 
Posts: 156
Words: 74590
Joined roleplay: December 20th, 2010, 2:38 pm
Location: The Unforgiving and around Alvadas
Race: Symenestra
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Velarian Zantedeschia on January 6th, 2011, 6:25 pm

"Velarian Zantedeschia." Dark ruby eyes watched the offered hand for a longer moment, before the youth leaned over, shaking it. His grip was firm, but not crushing. The skin of his fingers and palm was soft and smooth, a weaver's hand untrained at the sword. "Son of Andavel and Nasire, grandson of Javile Zantedeschia." Neither a great nor grand bloodline, his family could track back their ancestral line to a time mere hundred years after the Valterrian, a circumstance his family was profusely proud of. Velarian's family had never produced any notable warriors, but they had brought forth a good number of talented artisans and a rare few scholars. As child he had always envied the more prestigious webs, but he had come to change his mind since, somewhat at least.

He still liked to listen to the adventures and journeys the warriors so often talked about and the name of the girl's family rung a bell. "Your mother is Valvessa Curare, is she not?," the boy tilt his head to the side, already guessing his assumption was right. "I have heard a lot of stories about her." Of her travels into the world above and the women she had brought back to the city. Who had not heard of her? In a community as small as theirs you came to know others, especially when they were renowned for one thing or another.

"You have to be pretty proud of her." He knew he would have been. In a way he was proud of his own father too, but it was different. It was not the sort of proud you boast around others. While Andavel had fulfilled the role tradition dictated him, he had never been a warrior, a harvester. Velarian had been taught to be proud about his heritage, yet he never expected others to know much about his family. Maybe the fact they were often weavers, tailors, but little more than that. One day he wanted to change that, he wanted to garner esteem and respect for his web, but at the same time he knew he would not do so as a fighter.

"My brother spends most his day training too. I heard it is pretty hard." Especially when you had to live up to the expectations of others. His brother had not much to worry in that regard, as there were no harvesters in their family which could have looked down on him. Of course, there were not many who could have taught him either that way, but Velarian did not feel particular sorry for his brother.

Resting his arms on his knees he watched the swimming girl. He had no particular desire to join her in the water, yet the idea of having some company before returning home was pleasant. The boy inclined his head. "You have not been out hunting yet, or have you?" A brief smirk crossed his face. "When you don't mind asking that is."
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Velarian Zantedeschia
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Nisana Curare on January 7th, 2011, 5:34 pm

Nisana's eyes held a bit of pride as Velarian introduced himself and took her hand. She'd been right in guessing he was no warrior. While his soft hands against her slightly roughened ones were another good indicator it was his Web that gave her the most confidence. While she didn't know anyone specifically from the Zantedeschia Web, she knew that they were known for their artists. Well, she supposed that she knew someone from that Web now.

The question of her Mother, and mention about stories caused a moment of tenseness in Nisana's body. She worried that this boy would bring up those terrible rumors about Valvessa giving birth to a half blood, but there wasn't a sign of mocking in words or body. The half answered question pricked at her pride, especially the statement that she must be proud of her Mother, and so Nisana gave a firm nod of her head in response, "Yes, I am very proud to be her daughter, we are all very proud of her," her words cracked ever so slightly at the end though as she thought about the tense atmosphere that existed between her Mother and Father at times.

"It is a lot of work," Nisana said with a small shrug in response to his comment about his brother, "But it is needed. Easy training will result in an easy death," she repeated her Mother's mantra easily, and with no small amount of pride. It was what she went by with training, at least most of the time. There was no way she would admit anything otherwise to Velarian anyways, especially as they had just met.

Even with that though, she had to admit she was enjoying the company. It was nice to speak to someone outside of her Web that did not give her unpleasant looks or words. So in response to Velarian's question about hunting, and his smirk, she gave a little laugh of her own and a wider smile than before, "I do not mind answering such a question for you. I have not been out hunting yet, but I will be going soon. Do you mind answering a question of mine in return? What is it you do? Are you a weaver?"
"Moz seh krevas dav'ene obris zhevat."

Nisana has a few threads loose in her head. Anything written underlined in her posts is only in her perceptions, and should be ignored by anyone else. :)
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Nisana Curare
Alt of Alenias, Proud Huntress
 
Posts: 156
Words: 74590
Joined roleplay: December 20th, 2010, 2:38 pm
Location: The Unforgiving and around Alvadas
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Velarian Zantedeschia on January 8th, 2011, 4:42 am

Velarian was unaware of the half-breed Nisana's mother had birthed and even when he had known about the girl, it was doubtful he would have addressed the matter. There were a few things he was not to keen on discussing and the value and standing of the half blooded among their race was one topic he rather skirt around than approach. Also he did not deem it the right subject for talking with someone he had just came to know.

The young man inclined his head on the question if he minded talking about the things he did. "I do help my family weaving sometimes and more rarely I do a little sewing, but it is not actually what I am studying. My father is a toymaker and he teaches me Animation." His eyes searched for her face, looking for a sign of recognition on it before he continued just to make sure. "That's making lifeless things move and do your bidding."

Velarian scratched his neck with long black nails. "Well, usually that is. Some toys just, ah, look pretty. And other times they move out of their own accord without you having to order them. Or they just do nothing because you made a mistake along the way. Or... oh, well." The young man cleared his throat, with a small smirk. "It is rather interesting, but you need to plan ahead a lot before starting." Like how you set up the object you wanted to use especially when it boast moving parts. You needed to know what rules you wanted to bestow on the object to be animated and what soul you wanted for a blue print for the traits to pass on. And what traits you wanted to pass on in the first place.

"Last week father animated a ball of yarn to move around, rolling. He also animated it with the loyalty of a dog. It was following him around three whole days, but when he left home it fell down the thread he took." The young man shrugged a little, but thruth been told he liked to imagine the ball rolling through the darkness of the cavern floor, trying to find its way back to its master, without the hope of ever succeeding. Or course, the ball had no conscious so one couldn't really speak of hope, yet Velarian wasn't sure if the thought should amuse him or rather make him a little sad. At some point the yarn would start to rot, to fall apart, but until then the animated yarn was on a never ending travel through darkness. Or maybe not. Maybe it just lay low in the hope its master would walk past, the way a dog might wait before the fire place for its owner to return.

His attention turned back to Nisana. "So what game are you about to go after?" He couldn't imagine her mother would take her along to a harvest, but the wild around Kalinor was crawling with all sorts of beasts and animals. Tiny or large, not a small amount of them were dangerous in one way or another.
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Velarian Zantedeschia
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Nisana Curare on January 9th, 2011, 8:41 pm

As Velarian spoke of his skill and work Nisana listened attentively, her eyes focused on the boy as her arms trailed lightly through the water. It was interesting to hear him speak of his craft, especially the animation. She knew of the Symenestra crafts of weaving and sewing, but she'd never heard of animation before. The thought of objects moving and acting on their own... it put visions in her head of beautiful fabric dancing about the air, or of weapons moving on a hunt without hands to guide them.

The story of the animated ball of yarn caused her to give a small giggle. It would certainly be amusing to have a small soft ball following her around, almost like a pet. She had never had a pet before, but had heard of them. The thought of keeping something that could be her food in a cage for comfort had little appeal for her, but yarn was certainly not food.

"That sounds very interesting," Nisana said with a pleasant smile, "I would like to see this animation some time. As for my first prey, my Mother says that it will most likely be a bird or rabbit, something small," there was a hint of displeasure in her voice, "Though it will depend upon what we find outside."

She was sure that she could take down something larger than just a simple bird or rabbit, but she was not about to argue with her Mother. That aside, she was enjoying the conversation with Velarian. It wasn't often she found someone she could just talk with, even if they didn't share much in the way of livelihood, "Do you come to the Grotto often? I haven't seen you here before."
"Moz seh krevas dav'ene obris zhevat."

Nisana has a few threads loose in her head. Anything written underlined in her posts is only in her perceptions, and should be ignored by anyone else. :)
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Nisana Curare
Alt of Alenias, Proud Huntress
 
Posts: 156
Words: 74590
Joined roleplay: December 20th, 2010, 2:38 pm
Location: The Unforgiving and around Alvadas
Race: Symenestra
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Velarian Zantedeschia on January 11th, 2011, 2:10 am

"Animation is time consuming and can require a lot of preparation." Velarian's ruby eyes looked at the girl thoughtfully, while he imagined the sittings which would be needed to finish his father's current work. The old man could be exhausting to work with. He insisted on taking even the most unlikely situations into consideration. Would a palm sized bird made of tin and brazen ever be able to hurt someone? The boy found it was a fool's idea, but he would still waste three days to account for even the least likely possibilities to satisfy his father's safety measures, no matter how tiresome his mentor could be.

"Of course, in case your time permits... I don't mind to show you still," he offered, watching her. Water pearled from her hair and skin, tinted bluish green by the basin's water. For a girl her age she was quite determined, more than he could remember to have been in her age and it was a trait he could respect. "However I can only animate most basic things for the time being... so I hope you don't mind."

The smile he offered was almost apologetic in nature, soft around the corners of his mouth and just a little unsure. Most boys his age were already quite capable hunters, bringing home their own quarrel and boasting of the times they would bring the most prized game to the underground cavern, healthy maidens and strong woman with broad hips, future mothers to their kin. Compared with them Velarian's education had just begun and the boy was painfully aware of it. His father often liked to stay it was not an easy field of study and there was no need to hurry, but Velarian still felt eager to continue his studies, advance his skill. Although he had never imagined so, he had come to like the work he did quite a bit in recent year. More than just weaving in any case.

"So, will you show me what you hunted in return? If it is something worthwhile to show of that is," he teased with a grin, head tilt to the side. In the end he had little doubts the girl would bring some trophy home from her first hunting trip, but then he maybe only expected her to because of her mother, or better her mother's reputation. Living up to such expectations was never an easy thing he knew from experience. He would have felt bad for her, but like Velarian's brother, Nisana seemed to relish the thought of hunting.

On her last question he shook his head. "Not really. Once a fortnight would be often, but it is probably less than that. Father keeps me occupied with studies and work and there are a few other things I have to do to." Even less he wanted to do, but work could not always been avoided. He had duties to his family and those could never be ignored. "How about you?"
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Velarian Zantedeschia
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[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Nisana Curare on January 11th, 2011, 9:57 pm

The offer from Velarian was surprising to Nisana, though not an unwelcome one. She certainly would like to see him work at animation, the thought of objects moving on their own still fascinating her, and she was finding that she enjoyed Velarian's company.

"I would like that very much," she replied to his offer with a warm smile, "And whatever you could do would be more than enough. If it takes as long as you say I do not wish to cause you much work just to entertain me."

His teasing however quickly wiped away her smile, replacing it with a faint frown, and she brought her chin up and slightly to the side proudly, "Hmph, I am sure that my first prize will be worth showing, so I will make sure that you can see it when that time comes," her voice had the slightest hint of a bite to it, but not enough to be called truly angry. To be honest, she was a little concerned her first hunt with Mother wouldn't go well, but she wouldn't admit it to Velarian.

As he spoke again she returned her amethyst eyes to meet with his, and slowly the frown faded from her lips, "It is much the same for me. I like to come when I can, but there is much to be done, and even more to learn."
"Moz seh krevas dav'ene obris zhevat."

Nisana has a few threads loose in her head. Anything written underlined in her posts is only in her perceptions, and should be ignored by anyone else. :)
User avatar
Nisana Curare
Alt of Alenias, Proud Huntress
 
Posts: 156
Words: 74590
Joined roleplay: December 20th, 2010, 2:38 pm
Location: The Unforgiving and around Alvadas
Race: Symenestra
Character sheet

[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

Postby Velarian Zantedeschia on January 12th, 2011, 10:26 am

Velarian inclined his head, strands of silver pale hair falling into his face. Clearly he had sensed the hint of anger in her voice and almost he felt bad for drawing out even that minuscule amount of ire. For a brief moment he savored the feeling of power, intoxicating and childish. It passed quickly. He rarely had desire to pick a fight these days, not even one he had a chance winning. She was years younger than him, but that only made it worse. One shouldn't get that nagging feeling of envy when you looked at a hunter before they even had caught their first game. Fighting was a path he had given up on, yet there were moments he felt a longing which caused his chest to tighten.

"I am sure you will catch something big," the boy continued more confident than he felt and with as much support as he could manage. "Just make sure you let me have a look at it, so I can tell my brother I found a girl catching bigger quarrel than him." His smile grew the longer he thought about it. Although the idea for itself was not that amusing it helped to push previous thoughts aside.

"Are you about to train again this evening? There is nothing I should do, I am done for the day." It was not entirely true. His aunt waited for him to weave two spans of linen, not much by her standards, but it would still take him a while to finish. He would do it later in the night, before laying down. There was little difference between the sun's bright light and the moon's gleam under the earth and the later would not keep him from finishing the work he had been asked to do. Lacking motivation might, but he promised himself to do it anyway.

Sometimes he was good lying to himself. It was just to easy to concentrate on the things at hand, ignoring what he had to do sooner or later anyway.

Pushing to his feet, Velarian stood. He was tall for his age, but still lanky, missing the refined grace so many Symenestra hunter's seemed to possess. He was only fragil. "If you cared to we could see to do some basic animation," the boy suggested, an eyebrow risen. His father would not approve of the idea, but Velarian was looking forward to have some audience for his else wise quiet studies. And no one had to catch them either, not when they were careful.

"Unless there is something else you want to do. I wouldn't say no if you were to tell a hunting story of your mother. Or hunting in general. I am sure there is a lot interesting to learn about either." And seeing the girl was Valvessa's daughter she had to know details others were not aware of. It would be almost as good as hearing stories of the renowned huntress herself.
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Velarian Zantedeschia
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Posts: 103
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