[The Pearl Diver's Inn] Fate or Coincidence? (Naeya)

by **Sybel** on November 8th, 2012, 2:39 am

It seemed that Naeya met her challenge with some consideration but thought better of it. "Perhaps another time, when our friendship is more solidified," she navigated around the topic. "No sense in scaring you off now, when we've only just met!" Sybel was only marginally disheartened. Their interaction had just begun after all, and there was alcohol involved. No need to give up right then. Instead she decided to bide her time and ask again when they were both sufficiently plastered. Her friend seemed to agree by the rate at which she drank.

"Ben-shee-rah." Her pronunciation was both amusing and impeccable. Naeya was a quick study. Sybel enjoyed how she almost tasted the word as she’d said it, trying to discern its flavor. Her ethnicity had its own eccentricities, like all the others. It was trying at certain intervals, but it was all a part of being human. You tried to enjoy the good, cope with the bad and make the best use of your time. A morbid thought, but true regardless.

Observing her new partner-in-crime, Sybel noticed a myriad of emotions flit across her features. Naeya was very expressive. It was impossible to discern what exactly she was thinking but there were clues in the way she furrowed her brow or her light, nervous laughter. On that particular subject, it seemed the young woman didn’t get the joke. When Sybel explained herself however, Naeya chorused alongside.

The hilarity faded after a few moments, and the Konti’s fascination manifested itself in earnest. "A city in the desert!" She marveled. "That must be," there was a slight pause and then – "hot." It took everything in her to suppress her rising mirth. Yes, that certainly was an accurate descriptor. As much as it was in good fun, Sybel didn’t her want her friend to think she was laughing at her. It was more that she laughed with everything, never lending too much substance to a matter. That way it wouldn’t weigh her down.

"Well, I'm sure there's more to it than just being hot," she seemed flustered. "I'd love for you to tell me more about it sometime." Sybel shook her head in bemusement. She would indeed, though the way her it overwhelmed Naeya’s sense of geography was too funny. Sybel certainly didn’t want to embarrass her. Not to say that she didn’t think she was intelligent enough to grasp it, but rather the topic seemed to bother her.

“You’re fine.” She assured with a serene smile. “Eyktol is a region of endless sand. There is little else excepting my people, the Eypharians and the straight-faced Chaktawe. Very nice cultures, however they’re all a terrible bore.”

"Well, that's what I'm in the middle of sorting out," Naeya elaborated in reference to her training. "My aunt has offered to help me with the process. From what I've been told, it involves plenty of study in fortune telling and meditation. I'm not sure if anyone's ever described Divination to you, but having a clear mind and knowing what to look for is vitally important."

Her face was blank, trying to absorb as much as she could. Truthfully, she didn’t know the first thing about divination. She’d never really been in a position to learn about it from someone firsthand. There had been mentions in various fictions and textbooks concerning djed and it’s uses, but only vaguely.

"I'm incredibly thankful to Avalis. Every morning, I wake up and feel blessed. She's given me a gift that links me directly to her, and I see it as my duty to do all I can to learn how to use it properly." Having an intimate connection with your deity would do that, she imagined. It was strange how some gods were so aloof and others so involved. It seemed the more they meddled, the more complex things became. Mortal beings seemed just pieces in a large game.

"That's not to say it's been easy. I've had some... trouble with it, in the past. I can't always control when it occurs or what I see." When the seers eyes began boring holes into her glass, Sybel sensed the oncoming understatement. "That's why I'm here, really. The last few years have been a bit difficult." And there it was.

Naeya’s self-deprecation must been influenced by the unmentioned hardship. That was not an issue she’d press, but it was noted. As Sybel drew deeply from the pint, she was unsure where to take it from there. They had most of the bases covered in favor of generality, but there laid so much beneath the delicate surface with this woman. She desperately wanted to dig deeper, without taking it too far.

“So…” She trailed off, lost. “Why stay here when you might be staying with your Aunt?” There was something to cling to, before she choked.

by **Naeya** on November 9th, 2012, 10:27 pm

Eypharians. Chaktawe. These were more words she didn't recognize. "Eypharian" sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it in her memories. Curiously, Riverfall's Beautyfest was the most relevant thought that came to mind. But what did this desert people have to do with women celebrating their unique beauty? (Or, as some saw it, Akalaks celebrating attractive women.) Perhaps her companion would have a better idea.

"It seems there's a lot I've yet to learn about the world." Naeya brushed a strand of stray hair from her eyes, and casually leaned back in her seat. "Regions of endless sand. I'm surprised to hear that anyone, let alone the people you speak of, can survive in such a place. But I'm curious, now. These Eypharians... I recognize the name, but I can't remember why. What are they like?" She paused to take a sip of her wine. "It's the strangest thing. I seem to want to connect them with cosmetics, or something of the like. Do you have any idea why? I ask because I'm as lost as a labyrinth, and you seem far more knowledgeable on the subject."

She could feel the conversation slowing down; they were coming to the lull that occurred in nearly every first meeting between strangers. Sybel seemed to sense it too and nearly lost herself in her mug, a move which Naeya recognized well (particularly because she was sipping her wine just as nervously).

And then came the dreaded question.

Or rather, the awkward question. How to begin? She would have a few more moments to consider her response as Acil returned once more to the table, this time with Naeya's meal. It was the usual fare for a Konti supper in Mura - fish, vegetables, and a hunk of freshly baked bread. Her stomach growled, and she was pleased to see that she hadn't yet drained all of her wine. Though she could probably do with a refill.

"This looks perfect," she thanked the Konti. "If I could get another glass of wine... Oh, the same is just fine. On my tab this time, please." Naeya looked over at her companion. "Another for you as well, Sybel? On me. And are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"

Once Sybel had given her response, Acil left for another customer while Naeya took an eager bite of her fish. Delicious, as always. Sybel would have to wait another chime before she finished chewing and finally began her long-awaited answer.

"At first it was because I needed somewhere easy to stay for the first few nights as I got myself settled in Mura." Naeya was afraid to admit, even to herself, that she'd been nervous to meet her extended family for the first time. She knew her mother hadn't really gotten along with her grandmother, and had worried that the conflict would be passed down to her. "Then, when I finally met them - ah, sorry, I didn't explain. My aunt lives with my grandmother. Anyway, when I finally met them, well, they're wonderful people," at least, her aunt was, "but it just seemed easier for me to stay here. I didn't want to impose."

She took the final sip of her wine. "And besides, they've downsized since my mother left. Two bedrooms now, instead of three. I guess they weren't really expecting my mum to come back." Here Naeya allowed herself an uncomfortable laugh. "It didn't feel right to displace one of them in their own home. We've only just met... It wouldn't be fair."

A bite of fish left her chewing contemplatively as she thought about the direction that the rest of the season could go in. She desperately hoped to heal the rift between herself and her grandmother. "What of your family? Do they enjoy travel as much as you?"

by **Sybel** on November 10th, 2012, 7:23 pm

The lack of perspective on Naeya’s behalf was initially alarming. Often Sybel would forget that her own worldview was quite unique. Years of her life had been dedicated to travel, which provided opportunities to learn. Her friend seemed to have the opposite problem, having been sheltered. Some resolve strengthened within. If they were to carry their relationship forward, they would learn from one another. She could provide something to this fresh-faced young Konti, and that act of giving would make her happy.

”It seems there’s a lot I’ve yet to learn about the world.” Her tone was touched with wonder. ”Regions of endless sand. I’m surprised to hear that anyone, let alone the people you speak of, can survive in such a place. But I’m curious, now. These Eypharians… I recognize the name, but I can’t remember why. What are they like?” Sybel grinned.

“You would certainly know one if you saw them. They are a beautiful people, with six arms as opposed to two. You see, the extras are necessary to support the weight of their egos.” She gave her a wry glance before draining the remains of her beer.

”It’s the strangest thing. I seem to want to connect them with cosmetics, or something of the like. Do you have any idea why? I ask because I’m as lost as a labyrinth, and you seem far more knowledgeable on the subject.” Shifting to one side, she considered the question. “Cosmetics are one of the many Eypharian conceits. It’s not exactly unique, but their culture takes it to another level. The women in particular emphasize their hair. It’s a hedonistic race. They used to enslave Benshira for sport, taking them as pleasure slaves.” She gave a horrified shudder.

And then there it was – the insidious gap. With every new meeting you had to bridge it somehow if a friendship were to be borne. The silence stretched between them. On the whole Sybel liked this girl. She had already subconsciously chosen to pursue their relationship further. No matter how she felt though, the awkwardness would still prove to be a challenge.

The server returned and Sybel politely requested another drink before she left. The lean meal smelled inviting, and her stomach twisted in response. ”This looks perfect,” Naeya said. ”If I could get another glass of wine… Oh, the same is just fine. On my tab this time, please.” The word “tab” rang bells of woe in the back of her mind. Having a tab could be a very bad decision, dependent on your grasp of fiscal responsibility. Naeya seemed sensible enough, but any debt was a bad debt in Sybel’s opinion. Then again, she’d had some negative experiences that shaped that idea.

”Another for you as well, Sybel? On me. And are you sure you don’t want anything to eat?” She sniffed the air delicately. “It does smell good…” Sybel observed, downplaying the angry growl emanating from her insides. “I will have what she’s having. No need to pick up the bill though, dear.” She made a tragic face. “If you’re working with a tab, I’d rather not put you further in the red.”

It seemed the chewing was a ploy to buy her time, as Naeya made a meal of it (pun intended.) After she swallowed, she finally began to address the issue at hand. ”At first it was because I needed somewhere easy to stay for the first few nights as I got myself settled in Mura.” Well that was one thing. But the follow-up was obvious. ”Then, when I finally met them – ah, sorry, I didn’t explain. My aunt lives with my grandmother. Anyway, when I finally met them, well, they’re wonderful people but it just seemed easier for me to stay here. I didn’t want to impose.”

Were they really wonderful people? That seemed farfetched by the way Naeya hesitated. It wasn’t possible to ascertain what part of the equation it was, but something was clearly askew. Some relationship there wasn’t as positive as Naeya was portraying it. Sybel folded her hands into a pensive triangle.

”And besides,” She continued, clearly unsatisfied by the explanation, ”they’ve downsized since my mother left. Two bedrooms now, instead of three. I guess they weren’t really expecting my mum to come back.” So there it was. Naeya’s anxiety was apparent. ”It didn’t feel right to displace one of them in their own home. We’ve only just met… It wouldn’t be fair.”

She took another bite of her fish, most likely to prevent herself from revealing too much. Sybel had put it all together, having sat quietly throughout the speech. She’d stated earlier that she was from Riverfall, a visitor here in her native city. If Naeya’s Mother left and hadn’t been expected back, there was most likely a reason for that. Whatever it was, a falling out had occurred somewhere along the line. Sybel knew all about ostracism of that variety first hand.

Trying a seemingly safer approach, Naeya defaulted to the usual redirection. ”What of your family? Do they enjoy travel as much as you?” The question was so innocent in nature. It was almost difficult to answer her honestly. After all, this girl was kind enough. When it was answered, she’d feel bad for the asking.

“I don’t have a Mother or Father, and my grandparents long ago returned to our god, Yahal. It heartens me to know they’re all together now.” She replied soberly. In other words, they were all dead. It was almost depressing to think of it. “My mother passed with my birth. My Father was taken from me at age seventeen. I’ve been wandering the earth ever since, blind to consequence. I have extended family here and there, mostly in a Yahebah.” She teased her lightly, always layering in a joke. “They are all meddlesome traditionalists with nothing better to do but make observations on the affairs of others. I have a pair of cousins I adore and miss terribly, but that is literally the extent of my happy relations.”

She sighed as the Konti girl returned with another ale. As she grasped the cup, her eyes were quite lost. “It’s a lonely life…” She trailed, unsure how to continue. “One with limited purpose. But I suppose everyone feels that way.”