• Closed • Girl Talk

[Kali'rial]

It was heartening to hear the healer proclaim her happiness, the brunette finding joy in her friends own good fortune and future wellness. So often it seemed that Faith was making others happy - either in the kindness she displayed to others, or the help she provided through Cally's and The Order - it was entirely appropriate to see the tables turned for a change.

Grinning, Kali followed Faith to where she'd indicated they could sit, listening intently to the younger woman describe her 'what if' dress and trying to picture the gown in her minds eye. Frankly, the human could probably wear a paper bag and still look stunning with her raven locks and silver eyes, yet the gown sounded stunning. The Sev'ryn sighed and looked distant for a moment.

"Oh Faith...that sounds so beautiful, like something out of an Immortals story." Taking a breath she closed her eyes with a smile, trying to push all the proper and functional things out of her mind.

"If I could? Wow...that's harder than it sounds. I would wear something flowing and long, something the swirls all around my legs with soft sheer fabric. Something entirely impractical for anything except looking pretty. Oh, with gold embroidery and...uh...and green. No oh wait red. Yes red." Opening her periwinkle eyes, the huntress giggled a little and looked at Faith with a sudden serious face

"But no shoes." She said gravely, before breaking into another wide grin. Their first meeting had involved discussion around the Sev'ryn's unwillingness for wearing shoes, and as beautiful as the dress was in her head, it was never going to be with any form of shoe. Picking up on Faith's previous dress design, she pushed the idea further.

"What about you? Shoes, or any sort of trinkets?" Unlike Kali'rial, the younger woman would probably have no hang up's about footwear. Suddenly the brunette had a thought, and allowed herself to ask it.

"Have you done this for your wedding too? Imagine dress ideas, I mean. Or have you already decided what to wear?" Kali had heard rumours from Pash that the wedding would be somewhere else, maybe Desnind? She wondered if the girl would be prepared for the humidity if that was the case.

[Faith Augustin]

The dress that Kali described sounded wonderful and Faith said so. "I can picture you wearing it, it would suit you beautifully." The young human woman considered it and a picture of the dress in question came into Faith's mind, clearly there. It was beautiful, and the huntress would look absolutely stunning, Faith had no doubt. But no shoes? Faith chuckled at that, her expression showing her amusement.

What about her? Faith had a long and complicated relationship with clothes generally and footwear specifically, so she answered the second part of the question first. "This," she unpinned a small brooch that she wore, a clear stone set in silver. In the stone was a tiny, perfect, fern. The brooch was cool to the touch. "Padraig bought this for me when we got here. It's called a fernstone. I.." Handing it to Kali, Faith smiled. "It's very precious to me." It was the first piece of jewelry she'd ever owned, after all.

She chuckled though and nodded, "I've started making it, yes. The dress. It's simple, plain. Lace. That's what I'm making at the moment, the lace." She looked down at her feet and considered it. Pash knew about her, about who she had been, once upon a time. Pash and Kali were together. Those were logical reasons to do what she did next, but they weren't why she did. Faith knew that, when she had been kidnapped, Kali had come after her. The woman had been a friend and you trusted them. Besides, it was no longer a secret here, it was out and so Faith did what she had done with Pash. She took ownership of what was hers and who she told what to.

"I always wear comfortable shoes. Although I think that dress will require heels." Faith looked down at her hands, pads of her fingers pressed together. "The date we're getting married is important to us. It was the trial last arc Padraig told me he loved me, for the first time. The trial before, with the evening snow falling, I'd run through the streets of Andaris to his house. I'd run because my owner had freed me. I'd never been free, not my whole life and I didn't know how to be." She put no emphasis on any of it, just said it all as it was. "But I was in love. My owner had paid for Padraig to be my tutor, because he didn't want a stupid slave and slaves aren't allowed at the university, so Padraig tutored me and I loved him."

Faith's voice was calm, no part of her seemed anything else, her hands clasped together, now, in her lap. "He took me in, after my owner freed me, bought me a bed and had a room built on to his house." Faith looked up then and smiled at Kali, "I was branded four times, a slave since birth. Covered in scars. Moseke healed me of them. Shoes were always a thing. In Athart, we didn't wear shoes," Kali would probably make the connection, Faith knew, with Athart and Mero, the Avriel they had helped together. "Then I was bought by a man who took me to Andaris, and the shoes he gave me didn't fit. The man who bought me from him? He was very concerned with fashion and would dress me like a doll. High heel shoes and victory curls." She grinned slightly, "which Padraig always teased me about. Once I'd got in the house, as he wrapped the blanket around me he told me to take off those ridiculous shoes and gave me some thick warm socks to wear."

With a shrug, just a slight one, Faith realised something. "I can sometimes over explain. Shoes are strange for me, I have a lot of concern about them. But for that dress? The one that I can see and wish I was brave enough to wear?" Faith smiled at the Sev'ryn, "I'd wear heels for that. What about you, any jewelry or trinkets?"

[Kali'rial]

Taking the small pin carefully, Kali'rial examined it closely with a smile, her thumb running over the stone encased fern and noticing how cool the brooch was.

"It's beautiful." She said softly, thinking of the festival in Ymiden she'd missed with Pash. There had been something there, something she'd wanted to share with him. Yet, after all the events in Immortal's Tonuge and the Jungle and Faith's kidnapping...it was never the right time. Then it had been too late. Picking up on Faith's dress discussion, the brunette wondered how one made lace. It was an awfully intricate piece of fabric and to be honest the huntress had never considered that people made it. Granted, of course they did, the stuff didn't grow on trees. It was just one of those things Kali considered as existing, not giving it another thought.

The Sev'ryn's musings on lace halted dead in their tracks as Faith spoke, her words burning in the brunettes ears. Her owner. It was impossible to process the words, yet they were coming. Kali'rial looked at the younger woman with a sudden clarity. Mero. Her knowledge on the slave city.

Immortal's. She'd been a slave.

The silver eyed girl continued, explaining just why shoes were something of a topic for her. The huntress felt a sudden anger swelling in her chest, for the sufferings Faith had endured. How had she not known? How had Pash not at least given her some warning. The Sev'ryn swallowed all the foul words that she had bubbling inside her, handing back the brooch with a shake of her head.

"Faith...I had...I had no idea. You must think me so inconsiderate..." If she'd known, she wouldn't have babbled on about feeling trapped by her grandparents overbearing protectiveness or about not wearing shoes because of her cultural views. The brunette couldn't help but offer a small smile at the mention of Moseke.

"Her light touches those most worthy, and you are more than worthy. Blessed is the Mother." Glancing at her hands, the Sev'ryn twisted the corner of the paper in her lap.

"It's perfect then, that you're marrying the man you love on such an important day. I could not offer you more well wishes if I tried." Smiling, she felt somewhat silly talking about shoes and trinkets after such a personal revelation from the young woman.

"I don't really know. I have worn earrings in the past, during festival time. And I have my grandmothers necklace, but it is more an heirloom than a decoration. If I could wear anything? Maybe earrings, red like the dress." Kali shrugged, offering another small smile.

"Something that catches the light and sparkles."

[Faith Augustin]

Faith took the brooch back and she watched the emotions cross Kali's face with a slight smile. At Kali's words, though, the human girl shook her head with a firmness which was rare outside of their home, although less so with each and every passing trial. "I chose not to tell you till now, Kali. I don't think you inconsiderate for not knowing what I didn't tell you. I make that choice." She smiled and tried to explain, although it was hard to do so. "In my experience, the only person who has ever met me knowing I was a slave and to whom it made not the slightest difference was Padraig." She looked at Kali and smiled, somewhat apologetically. "So, I made the decision that I would not tell people here. Moseke healed me of the brands and the scars and so no one needed to know, I had considered that I would tell no one. But, it is a small world and there are people who do. But I know from experience that people treat you differently when that is what they know first. Now, you know me first. That I used to be a slave is just part of that." She shrugged slightly. It made sense in her head. People treated her differently, she knew that, when they knew she had been a slave. Hopefully, now she knew Kali well enough to tell her.

With a slight smile, Faith realised something; Kali'rial was the first person she had told that she had been a slave. Previously, it had been obvious that she was because of the brands. But here, on Scalvoris, Kali'rial was the first one she had spoken to about it. Pash knew, but that was because Padraig had told him and so, when Faith spoke to him about it, it had been to take control of it. "You're the first person I've told here," she said, softly, "so I hope I'm right and it just makes no difference. It's part of who I was, part of who I am. I'm not that any more." It was the best way that she could describe it and Faith said it, simply and clearly, "I feel and believe that we are becoming friends. So, we share information about our pasts with each other. It doesn't change now, it just means we know each other a little better." That was very much her hope, anyhow.

But something that catches the light and sparkled? Faith looked at Kali and beamed. "What about small crystals, nestled in your hair?" She lifted her hand and touched the huntress' hair, "It's beautiful, you could have just a few, wound in. Earrings, too, just to catch the light. Maybe an anklet? There's something very sexy about an anklet." She grinned and raised an eyebrow with a wicked glint in her eyes. "Or... so I read somewhere." Faith teased.

"Shall we try a few styles for your hair? Then, when you know which one you want, you can practice them on mine. It's easier doing someone else's." She might not want to, Faith realised. The knowledge that Faith had been a slave sat between them and there was a moment, now, where Kali had to decide whether that was something which would change their relationship or not. So, she looked at the Sev'ryn and wondered what difference it would make.

[Kali'rial]

Kali’rial nodded as Faith spoke, understanding in some way the reasoning behind Faith’s decision to withhold her past information from others. Whilst it wasn’t the same by a long shot, the Sev’ryn was aware that she didn’t volunteer up her parents deaths either. It was information that, if discussed, either made people offer sympathy or pity, neither of which was a true basis for getting to know someone. So far, whilst it was easy enough to put two and two together when she mentioned her grandparents but not her parents, only Pash had been readily informed of their demise. And only he knew the true nature of their deaths.

As Faith opened up to her, shared the fact that the brunette huntress was the only person she’d truly told and bared her hopes that it wouldn’t change her view of her, the huntress took a moment to think on her words before replying. She wanted to be sure that there was no misunderstanding in her remarks.

“The past isn’t always easy, and everyone has their cross to bare, but what we were defines what we become. It makes us who we are.” Looking at the silvery eyes that stared at her, waited for her to continue, Kali kept her gaze serious.

“I was three when I saw my parents massacred by something born of Lisirra’s plague. It’s been in my dreams for as long as I can think of, but I didn’t realise it was a memory until just recently. I grew up with my grandparents, who both believed that focus and dedication would keep me safe from the same fate. I wasn’t allowed to socialise, or play, or love. They loved me, I know they did, but it wasn’t easy to see. Because of this, I find it extremely hard to meet new people and crowds terrify me. I struggle with my emotions and impulses, and have often missed out on the simple things people take for granted because of it.” Looking down at her invite again, the Sev’ryn shook her head a little.

"Now I know the truth, after so many arcs of lies and concealment, I am so angry I want to hate my grandparents. Their fear stole so much from my childhood…” Glancing back up at Faith, she straightened her shoulders.

"You now know something about me only Pash knows. Something that I share as you've shared with me. I’ve never had a friend before, and I would be impossibly stupid to have your past dictate what I think of you now. As a person, and as a friend.” Her serious expression softened then, a wry grin crossing her features.

"Crystals? It could work! This anklet thing though, sounds rather intriguing..." Laughing a little, she nodded with a smile.

"I'd love that, let's do it." Running her fingers through her hair to release the thick tresses and smooth it out, Kali paused and put a hand on Faith's own ever so lightly, her smile softer and periwinkle gaze genuine.

"Thank you."

[Faith Augustin]

Faith sat and listened to Kali's story about her parents with an expression of interest on her face. It was part of the woman she was coming to know, it was part of who she was. When Kali said that she wanted to hate her grandparents for what they had done, Faith considered that it must be something which haunted the young sev'ryn. To be able to remember something so horrific, but not really remember it entirely, it could not help but have a very deep affect. She did not say anything about Kali's grandparents' means of dealing with it, that was for them to live with and it sounded like they did the best they could, albeit in a way which had been significantly detrimental to their grand-daughter.

"I have three blessings," Faith was aware that it might sound like a non-sequitor, but it was very much not so. Kali knew this already, but still it was relevant here. "Moseke, Famula and Vri. The blessing of Famula means that I can see the souls of those who have died, but not passed over. They're everywhere and my job is to help those who I can to pass over. They usually have a purpose, some reason that is holding them here." There were no such entities around Kali, not now and not that Faith had seen. "Her domains are souls, servitude, blood and resurrection. One of the abilities from her blessings allowed me to make the hummingbird." When she had been kidnapped, Kali had seen that hummingbird, made from Faith's blood.

Faith smiled at her and held out her hands. Both wrists had black tattoos, as did her throat; they denoted Famula's three blessings on her. However, it was her fingernails which she showed Kali. "Vri's domain are love, loss, sorrow and remembrance. Only when we love can we understand loss. One of the abilities Famula grants me is the ability to ask a soul to come and speak. They don't have to come and I need to either be at their grave or holding something of importance to them." She smiled and shrugged slightly. "Life and death and the inbetween are where I work. I don't know if speaking with one of them through me might help you. If they'd come."

Faith looked at her and smiled a gentle smile. "Think about it. The offer will remain open, but there is nothing there that you need to rush. It is a strange and emotional experience, no doubt, and not something to do lightly."

As they turned their attention from things of a dark and painful nature, as they started to put aside notions of what was past and focused on what was, Faith was delighted to realise that she was happy to be here, in this woman's company and planning hairstyles. It was normal, it was what others did and what she was free to do. Faith had never realised that she wanted to do this kind of thing, had never yearned to do it. Why would she, after all? She had never known that it was something which existed, her life had been one building and its grounds, slaves and owners. It was just one arc and twenty three trials ago when she had been allowed out for the first time; then she had been slave to an undertaker in Rynmere. But now, here she was, talking about hairstyles and clothes and what not with a sev'ryn who Faith thought was becoming a friend.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Thread Rewards

Kali’Rial

Skill Knowledge:
➳ Socialisation: Finding a friend to confide in
➳ Socialisation: sharing your private woes with someone you can trust
➳ Socialisation: Girl talk
➳ Socialisation: Bonding through sharing stories of your past
➳ Discipline: Not letting the past affect ones judgement of a person
➳ Rhetoric: Reassuring someone of another's good intentions
➳ Rhetoric: Expressing frustration over emotions
➳ Rhetoric: Letting the past guide but not dictate the future

Other Knowledge:
➳ Faith: Associate Professor
➳ Faith: Graduating to Gold Cloak
➳ Faith: Has been with Padraig for nearly an arc
➳ Faith: Was a seamstress
➳ Faith: Was a slave but is now free
➳ Faith: Offered to call Kali's parents from beyond for a chat

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: +1 Making a friend (everyone in town knows Faith by now)
Devotion: N/A

Points: 15 | These points cannot be used for magic.

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Faith

Skill Knowledge:
➳ Cosmetology: Colour choices.
➳ Cosmetology: Accessorising
➳ Cosmetology: Hair styling
➳ Seduction: Using jewelry to look sexy
➳ Seduction: Daring dresses.
➳ Sociology: People respond differently to former slaves.
➳ Sociology: Impression formation happens early in an interaction
➳ Storytelling: The story of the slave who got free

Other Knowledge:
N/A

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: +2 Helping a girlfriend look fabulous (in public)
Devotion: N/A

Points: 15 | These points cannot be used for magic.

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Comments:
Part of me feels like I shouldn’t have read this at all (hello!), but part of me feels like Pash would have paid some good new to be a fly on the wall. Ah. Girl time. Ah. Making friends. Yay for make-up and clothes and jewelry. So cute. Thank you for keeping the gossip G-rated and full of feels, ladies.

If you see anything I’ve missed or have a question, please feel free to drop me a PM!

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