Watch and Listen (-Serriff-)

[Ishara Dossari]

32nd Eve of Summer, Year 512 AV The black bowl of an empty sky hung suspended above, broken only by the dim hearts of stars scattered across it. The waves rushes and whispered against the sands in the distance, and the wind gently pushed at the palm fronds and foliage overhead. Amidst all this, Ishara sat curled by her meager campfire, lost deep in thought as her eyes traversed the skies above. The days had grown longer and hotter, stretching into marathons of strenuous training. Unconsciously, Ishara reached up to massage the knot of muscle forming between her neck and shoulder. She had grown leaner, wired with hardened muscle and newfound strengths. Even the way she moved had altered subtly, switching from the awkward, stumbling grace of youth into something more controled, something more akin to the way her brothers moved when sparring with one another. Like dancers, Ishara mused, a half smile tugging on one corner of her mouth as she recollected Rojin and Rakim circling one another, with her other brothers looking on and tossing in the occasional criticism. She missed them dearly. There was a hollow spot that would not be filled until she was reunited with her family. Undoubtedly they worried for her, especially after The Storm. Despite her efforts, getting a message to them to inform them of her status was next to impossible in the present conditions. Caravans were still struggling to map out new paths to the desert. New and terrible creatures roamed the grasses seeking easy prey...and it didn't get much easier than a gaggle of lost caravans. Raj yawned and curled tighter into the nest of palm fronds he'd made for himself. It was then, right before Ishara pulled her eyes away from the expanse of sky above, when it happened. A flash of green gold stretched itself across the sky, silent in all but the brilliance of it's journey. She gasped, and blinked as it disappeared, leaving behind a swiftly fading trail. A meteor? Ishara straightened a bit, craningh her neck back and searching in the direction it originated from. Several heartbeats passed...and then another streak of light, this one fainter but no less beautiful, flickered across the sky. "Falling stars," Ishara murmured, climbing to her feet as though by being closer to the sky she'd increase the chances of seeing a few more. She did not have to wait for long. One by one they emerged, gaining in numbers and momentum. They came in waves, sometimes a couple, and other times a dozen zipping right after another. The colors went from frost white, to green and even blue, in varying degrees of intensity. It was a dance that brought to mind the night she visited the aquarium with Serriff. Unconcerned, Raj slept on, while his master stood still and hardly breathing, drinking in the silent show above.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Nights were good for running as were mornings. Only in the night there seemed to be less predators out and about. They too were sleeping; much like many creatures of the day. He enjoyed tiring himself out some before he retired for the night; and perhaps tonight he would get an added bonus…A visit with Ishara. He had memorized where she had laid her camp in order to find her if he needed to. The landmarks leading up to her little camp were easy enough to keep locked in memory.

A streak across the dark night sky caught his attention as he slowed down some and observed. What is going on? Another….then another. It was spectacular and a little terrifying at the same time. He stopped and watched not knowing he was only at this point mere feet from Ishara’s camp. He didn’t pose any threat but he was sure Raj would alert her to his presence. But for now he was a little lost in this wonderful display. It wasn’t as colorful as the aquarium. But nevertheless it was still brilliant; especially since he had never seen a display like this one before now. He was sure Ishara had some kind of mythical story about them. She always seemed to have one of those up her sleeve.

But stories were history. His weren’t quite as mythical as hers. In comparison his were rough, unrefined and a little hard to swallow at times. But hers…they were smooth, wonderful and alluring. Every time she told one he only wanted another. They told history of her, as well as her people. They told him who she was, where she came from and what her people believed. And to his understanding they were a humble people who indeed devoted themselves to worship of a single God. Her morals seemed to align quite well with his own; but he had no idea what her people would think about him and what he could do. How they would view a mark from Rak’keli. He knew some cultures feared those marked by the gods, and others like the Ruv’na sought to destroy them.

But what he knew told him her people would be respectful but apprehensive; in all that was the correct response to have in his mind. When approached with something strikingly new it was good to be somewhat skeptical at first; especially if this person was an outsider. It was odd, Ishara and he seemed to have so much on common; but had very different backgrounds. He was still unsure of what happened to force her out this far from home. But; he knew that she was bound for adventure. And he was glad she was, because otherwise he never would have met her.

Another light blitzed across the sky…a wonderful display really. He could watch this all night if in the correct company.

[Ishara Dossari]

The knowledge of Serriff's presence was brought to light by a light rumbling from Raj. Ishara tore her eyes from the night sky, to see where and what her sighthound had focused on...and was surprised to discover a familiar silhouette striding across the beach. Serriff.He seemed in no particular hurry, and by the way he altered his approach she was certain his intentions were to drop by for a visit...Absently, she wondered if something in the earlier day's training had prompted it, or perhaps tomorrow's was canceled.

Another flash of light rippled across the night sky, and Serriff halted. Ishara smiled as she recognized the wary wonder in his eyes. Was she not in those very shoes several moments ago?

"Serriff," she spoke quietly, stepping up alongside him. She did not meet his eyes, but instead let her head fall back to witness the spectacle above. Several heartbeats of quiet plowed between them as the stars fell, and the yong Benshira woman sighed contently. Strange, is it not, how natural such quiet feels... With any other, it would be impossible not to fidget, or struggle to fill the impregnated silence with trivial words and questions...But with Serriff? It just felt...OK.

"Sleeping on the sands has its benefits," she mused, tossing him a sidelong glance before dropping to the sandy earth. Her look wavered somewhere between hesitant and expectant as she gestured beside her, inviting him to sit. Whatever critiques or news he may have carried with him, they could share it in comfort at least. Pulling the long tail of her dark braid over one shoulder, she brought her knees us and wrapped her arms about them...her small frame winding in on itself even smaller as the stars raced above.

Why did they always witness such beautiful things together? The thought carried with it a wave of awkward confusion and feelings at war with one another. A small frown creased her brow as she focused on pushing all of that aside. He was...well, he was Serriff. Her mentor. Her trainer. Her...friend, even. He'd graciously taken her in under his wing, and she owed him much for that. It was gratitude she felt...overwhelming gratitude. Right?

"What brings you out here, Serriff?" she murmured, pale eyes still traversing the skies above. She smoothed her expression, sucking back a deep breath and letting the tension ebb from her shoulders.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Indeed being outdoors does seem to have benefits doesn’t it?” It wasn’t something he had seen before…or remembered seeing in this magnitude before now.

He found himself forming new memories all the time now that he had left the camp. It was difficult to just move on at times. With the nightmares still haunting his sleep, and the scars still reminding him of the men that held him captive. But beautiful moments like this did indeed make adjusting much easier for him. Washing away the ugly and putrid with beauty and serenity was indeed a task he had issued to himself since setting foot in Mura…something he still continued today.

There were still many moments like this to be had. And the prospect was one that lightened his heart some. It was good to know there was still so much beauty left in the world to be discovered, and he would try to find as much of it as he could before passing on. Ishara motioned for him to take a seat beside her and he did just that. But his neck was having a little strain so instead he just laid down facing the sky. So beautiful…and he was glad to share it with someone. Infact he was glad that he had come out here period.

“Sometimes when I can’t sleep I instead come out here to get some fresh air. I am glad I did so tonight. Otherwise I never would’ve seen this spectacle.” He never would have forgiven himself if he missed this event. It was different and well calming all at the same time.

“Falling stars?” He questioned knowing well that she likely had a story for this somewhere in her culture.

“Tell me Ishara, you must have a story for such an occurrence. I do love stories.” He was setting her up for something because he knew most cultures had stories for such things. And well with as full of stories as Ishara was she likely had one that was very interesting.

“In Mura I never had the opportunity of such an event. So I don’t have any elaborate stories to tell you. And well I don’t much remember anything from my own past so I have nothing interesting there to tell you.” His voice trailed on she would really have to listen to hear the next part. “Sometimes I wish I had interesting stories.”