[Main Courtyard] Pounding Earth (Open)

[Zaira]

[Main Courtyard]
Season of Fall, Day 15
Open

Arms reached up to the night sky as a body swayed losing herself to the music and the swaying of other bodies. The woman moved with grace to the music, the sounds of drums and pipes, the crackling of flames and the singing voices that sounded so familiar. Her body was lost to her and turned over to the music and the dance, she was but a vessel that was filled with joy and song and it shone through her with every gesture of her hand and arms, every sway of her hips, and glide of her steps over the cobbles stones.

Tonight she moved like the fires that lit streets, it had been a surprise when the woman arrived again after the last incident involving scorpions and fire coals. While she did have her poi and a fire dish nearby this moment was only the Benshira and her dance. She was back within her red dress that swirled around her feet with each step. Her hips snapped with each rapid tap of the drum keeping the beat, the coin lined scarf around her hips chimed with each swish bringing attention to hypnotic hips. But this dance was more of fun than seduction and showed, but it was an attraction either way to all around, her welcoming smile teased and flirted with the crowd while drawing attention with her hands where she chose.

Her entire body was incorporated into this Benshirian dance from her hips, her stomach, her chest, to even her arms, head, hair, all were used, and the define control she showed even gained a few laughs from onlookers as she teased, pulling imaginary strings at her hips to make them jump higher, then above her chest with the same effect. The good nature laughter was accompanied by clapping hands that only made the dancers' smile widen and the claps growing as the woman spun she took a hand from the crowd drawing a young woman to her arms carefully spinning the timid woman.

The benshira’s face lit as the girls' grew red as they broke apart. She coaxed the woman to stay, all while swaying lightly side to side and starting to show the girl simple hand motions for her to mimic. A few onlookers called out to the girl that caused the girl to give an embarrassed laugh as she mimicked the Benshira. Zairas' reply was only to widen her smileas she went slowly for the girl to mimic the movements of her arms and grow confidant enough to continue them without Zaira by her side, allowing the dancer to slip behind her impromptu student and guide the girls hips side to side, swaying her as she moved her hips until she did it well on her own. And the crowd cheered.

[Nya Winters]

She was wandering the streets when she should have been at home relaxing. Nya still had a restlessness sometimes, when the night grew late and she felt the urge to prowl. In the city, people rarely slept. There was something going on at all times, something interesting, even when Nya's forest home was quiet. This night, she'd left her bondmate deep in his own businesses... he'd wandered off once more, carrying his big sword - most likely to practice it. Nya wished Abashai wasn't so worried about her fears of weapons. He had no idea how much she loved the smell of his hands after he'd been gripping the leather hilt and sweating as he practiced his bladework. They smelled of leather and oil in a mixture that was purely the Benshira. The weapons had his scent all over them as well, and to her mind were as much an extension of him as he was of them.

But still she gave him his space to practice and went on a prowl to see what was going on in Syliras instead. Nya found after living around a full human that wasn't directly a blood relation, living with people or even dealing with them became far easier for them. And so she went to practice her humanity. She was surprised, startled even, to find herself in the main courtyard watching a strangely familiar Benshira woman dancing. There were other women gathered around watching as well, and so Nya felt no discomfort settling in among them.

Dancing was fascinating. Nya had no idea why Zaira was doing it, none whatsoever, until she saw the pure joy on the woman's face as she moved her body. The dress was lovely, and flowed across the woman's body in a way that made Nya stare. The woman was vaguely familiar, as if Nya had seen her before but had never been properly introduced. Sometimes though, unless she caught their scent and memorized it, people looked all the same to her. Nya rose and moved closer, joining the edge of the crowd even as the Benshira woman drew a girl out of the crowd to join her. Benshira... Nya suddenly realized this was one of Abashai's people. This would be the type he would take for a wife, sire children on, and build a tent with. The woman's grace was extraordinary, and Nya didn't for a moment fool herself into thinking she could remotely learn to copy the motions... but she wanted to try. It was as if the woman was telling a story with her body, a playful one filled with joy. To Nya it was another way to tell stories, another way to share something with another human.... and she wanted to learn.

The cheering crowd was spooky to the girl, who was slightly uncertain as she looked around. But Nya wasn't truly really afraid, not of humans - not really - for they were only humans and trapped in their lives within Syliras. So she pushed through the final barrier, two people in front of her and stepped out with the young girl and the Benshira. She lifted her arms, trying to mimic what she saw, and began to dance herself - awkwardly.

[Fia Eaven]

Immersed in the happy crowd Fia clapped her hands heavenward feeling for new rhythms in the drumming.
She thought of home, of tavern floors covered in sawdust and oyster shell pounded to dust in rollicking dances. Where flushed women with unbound hair would swirl in patterns. They'd skip while wrenching their skirts side to side, displaying their prancing feet. Men would stomp making tables shudder and swing the girls between one another. Up and down they would go until they made the room itself dizzy and the air sweltered.

Seeing others join the impromptu line made the human grin. The robust joy of song and motion infected her easily. Joining the dance had not occurred to her yet, she gathered enough delight merely watching the happiness bloom.

The city had been aloof and stilted thus far, she had wondered if it could even manifest delight. She was still faceless and alone, but this effusion around the Benshira woman was enough to let her pretend there were friends here.

A dark haired girl with feline eyes stepped past her into the dancer's circle. There was something very purposeful about the woman, as if she was going to get this dance come flame or flood. Her determination was almost comic, but Fia found it endearing.

"Go on!" she laughed, "You'll get it!"

Fia embellished the rhythm with her clapping, a trebled beat just for this woman with the feline eyes. At first the bright-eyed woman's motions were stiff, too intent on mirroring the Benshira. It was easy to want to move like that red tongue of flame.

Fia's clapping hands lowered. She tapped her hand above her heart, and swung her skirts like a bell to the beat. Barely edging from the crowd, Fia entered the dancer's realm. Her eyes were shut and her expression was sweet. When she opened them again, she was looking toward Nya.

"But sometimes," she laughed, "It's easier to find your own dance."

[Zaira]

The Benshira was smiling over the shoulder of her impromptu student, who seemed to redden again at Zaira’s whispered encouragement and praise. Sounds of clatter of a few copper pieces upon the ground were nowhere near as exciting as the laughter and clapping, or the music that continued to play to the dancer.

A figure parted from the invisible line to the clearing, she was familiar, but that could be blamed upon the crowd that the woman had obviously just been a part of, and as her arms raised and the girl’s body began to move it was clear she had been watching. Zaira smiled at Nya as the crowd again raised a chorus of encouragement for the newest dancer. Zaira raised her hands clapping a beat and the song seamlessly began to play again anew. Her hands climbed skyward mirroring Nya her hips and legs moving simply to give the new comer a guide once more to establish a rhythm that mirrored gave firmly the impression of the pair dancing together.

It was not soon after that that the third broke from the line dancing not in imitation but for her own amusement and joy. Zaira’s lips smiled as the new woman neared and others seemed to follow her lead moving into the crowd to dance their own containment the invisible border. The dancer laughed her hands rising again and this time both hands snapping in unison before those who were playing the benshiran music began to sing;

” Wala ma kaan ala balee ya hawaa.
Wala ma kaan ala balee ya hawaa.

Amarain. Amarain dol walaa eneik?
Albee beyesalnee aleik.
Atareenee ba fakar feek.”

As the musicians began to sing her arms lowered and body moved once more lost in the music, not so oblivious but still wrapped tightly in the joy of the dancing, music and people. So many bodies, and now vocals in her native tongue made it all the more like a celebration, it made no true difference what they meant, and the joy and love was easy to hear.

Her fingers snapped the quick rhythm of the drums her finger cymbals were away with her poi but at the moment were not needed the urge came to the benshira like the urge to clap came to others, and came and went as she danced, her voice softly echoed the male musicians and was easily drowned by the music or melded with the female voices that echoed back as the song was played and the musician’s.

“You pair, very brave.” Zaira’s words were said with a smile as the dancer neared Nya and Fia enough to be heard. Her voice was light with laughter and slightly out of breath, and a light sheen of sweat had developed during the dancing that made her glow, never mind the rushing blood and joy that was palpable. Her easy smile to Fia as the woman had fun in her dance and watchful eyes to see if Nya still wished to try her body at dance the woman paused enough to give a laughing introduction.

“I am Zaira.”

[Liriel]

As she wandered through the city of Syliras, Liriel came slowly to a difficult but necessary realization. She had absolutely no idea what she was going to do now. It had been a given that she had to leave her home, and it had seemed only natural to come here, to the center of human civilization. This was where things would happen to her—she had been sure of it.

Things were happening in Syliras. Everywhere she looked people traveled from one part of the city to another, many of them human but a good number of them unfamiliar and strange. All of them seemed to have a purpose, except for her. With every step Liriel’s doubts grew stronger. In stories, the hero arrived at their destination to be presented with some goal, some worthy cause or puzzle to solve. But no one paid her the slightest attention. No one was waiting to greet her, to ask her for help or offer her a valuable piece of knowledge.

Perhaps she had to be patient. But patience was not Liriel’s most practiced skill, and the mass of humanity around her made the whoosh of sensation in her mind grow louder and more distracting by the moment. So distracting, in fact, that she almost didn’t hear the music.

But she did hear it, and she stopped to listen more closely. It sounded so familiar, and though she could hardly believe it she at last had to admit the truth. It was Benshiran music. Not just that, it was a song her mother had sung and danced to many times, one she had been fond of. Liriel hurried toward the source of the music, nearly breaking into a run until she saw the mass of people standing around a group of dancers. To the side a group of musicians played, their skill filling the night sky with emotion.

Liriel was drawn closer and closer until she stood behind the musicians, staring at the whirling dancers. They were graceful, beautiful, and so like her mother Liriel’s heart went out to them. They were Benshirans, the first she had seen close up besides her own mother. And they were everything she thought they would be. Liriel had been too afraid to try and find them on her own, but here they were anyway.

Some of the musicians began to sing, and Liriel joined in. She let all her longing and surprise and wonder pour out through the words, and as she sang she continued to move forward until she was right at the edge of the group of dancers. A tall, beautiful woman with reddish hair danced with wild abandon, slowing only enough to introduce herself to another pair of dancers. Liriel edged closer, still singing but more softly now. She was overtaken with curiosity by this woman who seemed about her own age but so incredibly different . What would she say? How would a real Benshiran speak, act? And why was she in Syliras?

[Nya Winters]

Nya's eyes met Fia's just for a moment before the other girl closed them again and kept dancing. She was enchanted by the women, truth be told, for she'd never seen humans act so free-spirited and delightful. There was a spontaneity in the dancing that delighted the kelvics whimsical nature, and so she stuck close to the redhead and kept her steps in time with the other women. Limbs were difficult to manage. Arms that were not needed as feet had never before seen so limber and useful as when they were raised in joy and twisted in time to the music.

Ny though, did not close her eyes, not in the presence of so many people and especially not however delighted by the pleasure of the music she might be. When Abashai played, Nya often closed her eyes and settled into herself because his fingers on the strings often took her mind to places she had not been to for a long time or places she only longed to see because she'd heard about them in stories. Here though, swirling skirts could conceal dangers, and no matter how delightful they were, there was no earned trust for relaxation.

But still, the kelvic moved in time to the music, intrigued by all that was going on about her. Nya had never realized she could feel so feminine.. or what that even meant. But she was starting to understand, and even though their was a lightness and joy about the group, Nya took it for other things as well. There was power in the human body, power in the graceful movement of limbs and the lightness of steps. Her magnificent hands that had up until now been the only thing she'd really appreciated about herself paled slightly in comparison to how a body could move. Nya enjoyed the voices humans had, their singing, their remarkable abilities with hands... but until this moment, she'd found their bodies ugly, awkward, and unremarkable. But now...

Nya wished she could dance for Abashai, and wondered too if men danced themselves. She knew in those precious moments, she'd like to see them do so, and something in her came slightly alive as if awakening for the first time. It was a dark unwelcome thought, filled with feelings she wasn't ready to deal with, and so she pushed them back into her mind, saving them, for a long cold night by the fire or a hunt that needed no attention to detail.

Zaira danced by and offered a name. Nya wasn't sure how to respond... and so she simply added her own, glancing back at the redhead wanting to know too what she called herself. "Nya....Nya Winters." The kelvic responded. She didn't feel particularly brave dancing, as the girl had indicated. There was nothing to be lost here, no life at stake... It was a thought, an impression, she'd have to think about more. Humans were shy by nature, not willing to show skin, not willing to do things kelvics deemed right and proper. So maybe thats what the girl meant. Nya wasn't sure.

Another girl joined, one who was filled with uncertainty. The woman oozed questions which made Nya smile, reminding her of someone she knew very very well. The kelvic moved, bringing herself close to the newer girl, and dropped her voice, swirling her body around and bringing her hands up as if she were chasing butterflies, trying to capture them out of the very air. Her long awkwardly cut brindled hair swung in the breeze of the courtyard, as if its own personal little gust attended it. Nya turned to the new girl, unable to hold her tongue any longer. "We are dancing... not thinking. Your face shows your thoughts. You should not think so hard, and try dancing instead... it is very pleasurable. It might even make your thoughts easier later when it is time to think, not dance." The Forest Cat wearing a human guise said.

[Liriel]

We are dancing... not thinking. Your face shows your thoughts. You should not think so hard, and try dancing instead... it is very pleasurable. It might even make your thoughts easier later when it is time to think, not dance.

It took Liriel a moment to realize the words were addressed to her. They came from one of the other women, who was dancing very close to where she stood. She was tall and graceful, with dark hair, and appeared human though there was something a bit unusual about her Liriel couldn’t quite place. It was clear that she was not a Benshiran, but she moved with the rhythm of the traditional dance like she had known it all her life.

Liriel smiled at the woman, pleased to be noticed even if it wasn’t by a Benshiran. In fact, she was a little glad to avoid such a conversation for a little while longer. What had she been planning to say—‘Hi, I’m half Benshiran and I see you’re one too, so can you tell me if you think I belong with your people?’ That would be a strange introduction, without doubt.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” she said instead to the woman with the green eyes. “I just came to sing and watch.”

Liriel almost left it at that, but something about her response felt wrong. It was true—while her mother had taught her a few dances and tried to interest her in them, Liriel had never been very good. She was strong and flexible but not terribly graceful, and the intricate movements of the dances had confused her. Her body had not understood how to flow with the rhythms the way her voice did so naturally.

But those who danced before her now did not seem to conform their movements to what was traditionally expected. They danced with abandon, as though they didn’t really care how. Liriel did not understand why that was, how they could dance so freely without script or plan.

But her body was tense, aching to be used. Back home, Liriel would have left the camp for a run when she felt this way. But now a different opportunity had presented itself. She had come to the city to see and try new things, to experience a world other than the one she was used to. How could she do that if she turned down so simple an opportunity?

Looking back at the green-eyed woman, Liriel smiled again and gave a shrug. “But I suppose I wouldn’t mind trying. I’m just not sure how to start. Could you help me?”

[Fia Eaven]

Fia laughed at Zaira calling them brave. She pivoted while clapping from side to side and replied.
"Today I am."

After the Benshira's and peridot-eyed girl's introduction, she gestured to herself and lightly announced, "Fia."

Another woman neared them, her obsidian eyes shaped by curiosity. She glanced between Zaira and Nya, following after the latter, an eager student.

In the midst of the swaying dance, Fia began to feel her heart rise. It was a drifting moment where the mind became permeable, casting out what kept feet fettered and absorbing what airs made them float.
There was no sensual fog or technical brilliance in her motions, just an organic peace. She'd watch the other dancers, their happiness increasing her own, but she did not try to mirror them. Bits and flourishes she liked would be woven into her unobtrusive steps, yet she remained content to be the simple thing she was.

The women that surrounded her were looking for something in the dance, what that was, she had no idea. All she felt was a generosity towards them.

"Beautiful," she said to them warmly.

[Nya Winters]

NoteI know Zaira said there were no real turns here, so I'm jumping slightly ahead!

Fia's introduction didn't go unnoticed, and Nya smiled in return. It was the kind of warm open smile that invited friendship tinged with a slight bit of playfulness. As the musicians played on, Nya experienced this sort of music truly for the first time. She was used to individuals playing a single instrument, sometimes mournful, sometimes playful - and the truth of it was she never had made the connection that multiple instruments all played together could produce this riotous jovial sound that made everyone want to move their bodies. It was this wonderment, and this overarching joy that drove her as Liriel's words fell on her ears.

"I have never ever danced before in my life either... but it is fun do you not think?" Hair flew, bouncing heavily around Nya's face. She had neither straight hair nor curly, but a fall of black mixed with brown and green that was no color and all colors at once. And she tossed it, laughingly, as the music swelled up again. "Singing is wonderful... powerful... I like those who sing. It is like roaring in the forest, but far more beautiful." Nya confessed, her joy infusing her eyes in a way that wasn't quite human. It was too open too out there and accessible. It was also infectious...

Liriel's desire mixed with a confession and request for help brought Nya closer, laughingly, as long slim arms with more muscle than they should rightfully have reached out and captured her hands. Strange fingers entwined with her own, warm and cool at the same time. Nya pulled Liriel deeper into the crowd of women that were now all mostly dancing and leaned close as if to share a secret. In a way, it was a true secret, whispered into the quickly fading evening air... "The body you wear already knows how to dance. Inside it is wild and confined and chafing at being so. It is the caged bird that just wants its door open so it can fly free of its gilded prison. It will not hesitate if it gets a chance because it knows deep inside how to fly. Just like you know how to dance. Close your eyes, lady, and spread your wings like the little bird. And we will dance the dance of our lives... my first and your best..." Nya said, her voice a husky alto that was almost a pur. And then she released Liriel to fly, just like she promised... and danced beside her in a way she never knew was possible. Nya danced the hunt, first the predator then the prey. She danced the water she knew that rushed through the mountains. She danced the fall of leaves and dappling of sunlight across stone in the early morning. Playfully, breezes darted in and out of the crowd, ruffling hair, bringing laughter and soft subtle voices that perhaps only Nya could hear.

But she laughed anyhow, and danced with her new friend, watchful, wondering what stories the woman's body would tell in time to the music.

[Zaira]

How strange this city seemed to be more and more familiar faces she found, far from home. It was not that the Benshira knew them, those that she saw but that they were of her people, the Benshira she had found within the city were travelers, and it had been their music that had drawn her near, so long had it been that she heard the music of her home, in full splendor. But even with their robust weave upon the air the dancer missed the sound of a single instrument, the strings plucked by a single hand and conversation that flowed, teasing and mirthful to the night skies.

But a Chaktawe, so far north, was as surprising as laughable. Who was she to say really, considering how far herself she had came. The two tribes traded words and goods in good times, fought for goats and water in bad. But here, this far north where water was plentiful, and grasses green and far as the eye could see, what need was there for old wariness? More so when the dark eyed maiden sung the song of her heart with familiarity, abet softly.

Nya, that was the name of the first brave dancer that had broke past the line, her stiff motions were relaxing, and was coaxing the new comer to join in the dance and not think so hard. And indeed the dark one was thinking much, and it showed, yet for now Zaira left the pair be, watching the pair and the crowd, to see all were still in the haze of joy. She danced because she enjoyed it, like the air she breathed, the song she sang, the fire she coaxed.

The smaller woman, slender and copper colored hair seemed content in her dance, watching and dancing, neither imitating, nor searching just moving with confidence and delight. It felt like so long since Zaira gave over dancing, to music, to a performer, years were like eternity, and longer still since she wielded flames before a crowd painting fleeting pictures upon the night sky. Night was falling, darkening, and soon she could play with her searing paints upon the sky. But the joy in dancing, threatened to not share her this night, not yet.

Her hands rose high and she gave an uncharacteristic twirl, like a child wanting to feel the breeze upon her legs and see the flower her dress made. She looked to the one, Fia, with skin like the moon and hair like the flame and smiled, her thoughts and the song seemed fitting to the woman and it seemed only the dark eyed woman, herself, and the singers knew.

“This song is of here.” Zaira put her hands lightly upon her own heart. She had no word to give in common for ‘love’ but surely the gesture was understood.

As the muscian’sang the benshira smiled and spoke to the women rather than sang the common words that were the words to which they danced.

“Are these two moons, or your eyes I see?
My heart it asks for you.
You can tell I think of you
Maybe this is …”Again her head touched upon her heart, and her lips curved in a look any woman could remember or recognize, a new love, an old love, a beloved memory was not sure, but the underlying emotion was sure.

“I promise this was not what I intended “ Zairas words seemed too formal for the music that was played, but always it seemed something vital, was lost in translations, and all that could be shared was the idea.

And it could only be understood, or not.