Can You S E E [myworld] ((very open))

[Naiara Vevier]

(September 30th, 510 [near the harbor])


Fall. It was the time of year Naiara enjoyed most, next to spring. Though she couldn’t see the vivid greens changing into colors of fading orange, yellow and brown, she knew it was happening around her. Her sisters, and mother had often times described it to her; and in her mind she could see it all. A world of blurred streaks as bright as any reality she could ever know. Her small slipper covered feet crunched the fallen leaves under her with each slow, careful step she took, as if only to hear the sound. The light, white cloak she wore blended with her snowy hair, and alabaster skin – one not really discernable from the other on the stark canvas of her body. The only splash of muted color was her pale blue eyes that, against everything else, seemed to stand out strikingly.

The hem of the dress she wore brushed against the ground, though just barely and as Naiara walked the marked empty road from her home – to the shore, but away from the bustle of the hub of the city life – she could smell the dry earth here, mingling lightly with salt from her beloved sea that the breeze wafted to land gently, like the caress of a tender hand. Naiara liked these rare times alone, since she didn’t take the initiative often to go off by herself.

She realized she needed this…a simple walk. And when she arrived on the beach, the quiet beguiling call of sea gulls reached her ears, the smell of the sand and surf filled her completely now, washing away any weariness or fatigue like it pushed back the loose tendrils of pale hair across her forehead. Pausing Naiara slipped her shoes off, picked them and bunched the fabric of her loose skirt in her hand before making her way closer to the water, but faltering again – though only to delight the feel of the cold crisp licking water at her toes. She didn’t need assistance getting around, not when she was by the water…still she was careful of where she stepped, while each one was unhesitating, there was a cautious pace in her slow stride. Her steps and the lapping breaks were like a dance, parting and coming back together…erasing their encounter with every rush forward. Still, she was at ease enough to let herself slip back into her thoughts without worry.

Her nights and even some of her days, as of late, had been filled with dreams – visions – an urging, like a pull that was calling her out. Naiara could hardly stand it any longer, going against what was so natural for her kind. But she couldn’t help but to continue to be afraid of what it could mean for her. With her mind filled with unanswerable things – things she had never seen, a man she had never known, how could she not be? She knew her mother’s…well, she wouldn’t call it concern – the woman was steadfast in her belief that what was, would be. It makes her wonder if she could ever be as confident, given her age now.

Naiara recalled asking once, when she was younger and considerably more naïve, if she had a purpose. Was she meant to do something in her life? And all her mother had to say that day was, ‘a person can only live their life as best they can until their destiny is revealed. Everyone has a path they must one day walk…’

Of course she hadn’t understood, not really, though Naiara had nodded her head slowly and let her mother continue to brush her hair. She had, had many questions after that – what could she possibly do? and What kind of life could she possibly hope to lead other then the one she so intimately knew now? Naiara had thought that perhaps she would be blessed enough to see some revealing glimpse of her future through her own visions, but for twenty something years, it was always of others – until now.

There is this sense of drowning (silly as that is, and even if she has never experienced it, she can only imagine that is what it feels like.) A gripping experience of fear fills her, flooding her lungs, cutting her air off and not even allowing her to swallow – or scream. She wants to, every time the urge is choked and her vision is filled with an ugly nothingness (something vastly different then her owned impaired vision in reality) until someone is pulling her up, righting her. Then all she can make out, all she is allowed to see, is some sort of dark leather, some form of armor perhaps, and the sharp glint of metal, a sword. For some reason even though she doesn’t see the man’s face, she doesn’t quite regard him as the one that makes her feel so frightened. Instead she is alleviated from it at the touch. Each time, that is where it ends, and each time she is left wanting to know more. She feels to the point that she could cast away any trepidation and run off to catch it’s meaning with her own two hands. If only that was the case.

Naiara was so caught up in her own thoughts, wrapped so tightly in them, that she didn’t realize she had wondered farther then intended. It was the sudden break in quietness that really alerted her to that fact, and her feet prompted stalled. The chatter and calls of the busy harbor life caught her by surprise, seaman, merchants, and just people perhaps even arriving and leaving, each one of their voices punctuated and pin-pricked white color of sound in the darkness around her. Still this wasn’t an area Naiara did visit by herself, there were just so many people that it was easy to get turned around and disoriented. And she knew that there was a main street that would take her straight to the city, where the real activity was. But had she really been walking for so long or for so far to reach the lively entrance? Had she really been so unaware...

The questions to herself, and the noises were drowned out by the sudden pounding in her chest. The quick tempo fluttered, tapping out a rhythm that was good enough to do a jig to, though unprovoked, so the alarm was a little silly. Naiara took a deep breath, her face still pointed in the direction of the harbor and she told herself, all she had to do was turn around and go back the way she had come.

Still she couldn’t stand in one place forever and she did indeed find herself frozen…There was what laid ahead of her – unknown, and what was behind her familiar and already experienced. These were her choices, but how long and how many times in her life had and would she turn away from going forward? It struck her that this might seem a little trivial to anyone else, but to her?

Well…

Lifting her hand, she idly traced her fingers along her lower lip, as she considered, but was still uncertain, drawing no conclusion. It was enough to clog her throat indecisiveness…until she finally made herself move. Forcing her feet to take one step then another and soon found she going at a once more cautious pace in the direction she had originally been going, her chin lifting a little.

…she had learned long ago there was no coincidence in life, and that even the smallest things could have a world of meaning, if only to one person.

[Nari]

When Nari took walks, they were usually short and uneventful. Aimless wandering through a city she’d seen every day of her life didn’t often yield greater profits than wasted time and mild diversion. It was unfortunate that she usually had no memory of such walks, her mind being plagued by other thoughts and not paying attention to the buildings around her.

Loose hair blew into her face, and she pushed it behind her ears. Living this close to a large body of water promoted salty air and plenty of cooling breezes. Both a perk and a detraction for Mura, at least in Nari’s eyes. Her fingers itched, and she flexed them slowly, listening as the joints popped. Pressure under her nails caught her attention, and she realized it was time again clean underneath them. Oh, not paying attention again. Must work on that.

The sky was a lovely blue, the buildings around her looking cool and serene. The streets weren’t as crowded as they normally were at this time of day. The early fall heat was probably keeping the majority inside, studying or working on an art piece that would prove to be yet another famous product of the island. Nari should probably be following that example, getting her perfumes ready to sell, but the close quarters of her home were a bit stifling after days inside. She had dabbed a few drops behind her ears before setting foot outside, but that was as much interaction with her product as she was determined to have- until tomorrow, at the learliest.

Walking along the path toward the center of town, Nari’s sandals scuffed the ground, and she listened to the soft sound of it. The sound of her steps created a rhythm to the harmony around her, not that she knew much about rhythms or harmony. A vague memory of tapping a lap drum was all she really could recall. Thud, thud. Thud. Thud, thud. Thud.

Oh, and who was that? A Konti she hadn’t seen before was standing in the middle of the street, turning first one way, stopping, and then walking in the other direction. Unusual, at least, and intriguing. A kindred spirit, maybe? Nari knew what it was like to forget what she was doing, where she was going, or where she had been.

“Good afternoon,” she said sweetly, stepping next to the woman and falling into step with her. Slow, small steps. Another mystery. “Is something wrong?”

[Naiara Vevier]

Sensibly or as much as she could be at the moment, Naiara remembered to put back on the slipper like shoes, pausing only long enough to dust her feet off of any clinging but loose granules of sand. And as she walked from the relatively peaceful shore her pulse hadn’t lost the apprehensive quickening especially when she made her way into the thick of things, as it were, though it wasn’t as busy as she would have thought…or imagined it would be.

In any case she wasn’t in any hurry to go anywhere, and she didn’t want to rush along only to misplace a footstep causing her to trip. Why, just the idea of falling! It was enough to make a self conscious – self aware reaction burn high on her pale cheeks, and for her steps to became even more cautious then they had been. But how could she be distracted with that completely? It seemed she didn’t so much as brush into another person, that they either walked around her or ignored her completely…now if only she didn’t walk into something inanimate – she’d be doing good.

Naiara had never used anything as so obvious about her blindness as some sort of pole or cane to feel her way around, she either didn’t go out or she had someone with her – simple as that. But now, particularly, she realized the sort of short sightedness (forgive the bad analogy) and inconvenience that really was. Resisting the urge to reach out and grope for the things in her way, she heard people talking among themselves near by, their footsteps – a cadenced clip clop of different size feet and speed to fit their personal strides. All going somewhere and all sure as to where they are headed probably no more conscious of the other people around them then…say, what she was of what they are wearing. The apprehension at this point had no choice but to move and make room for a more excited energy…never mind that she felt a little childish for it.

It was like a soothing palm on a burn, in any case –Naiara’s face turned this way and that when she heard a door opening to a business, or heard someone call out trying to catch the noises as they happened. She was sure her face was open like a store front window displaying just how she felt; she knew her lips were parted slighted and that her eyes must have been rounded a little wide to finish off the expression. She was probably a sight to see, a Konti woman at all rapt so frankly by her surroundings of her home and sure, she had been here before. Walked this very avenue with her mother and sisters, but she had always had her head down letting their chatter fill her ears instead of others, clung with her arm looped through theirs to keep her anchored in one safe spot.

Naiara merely continued on, not really sure where it was that she was heading, but surprised by her own derelict memory of trips here that should have been able to help get her some place recognizable. Once more she found herself concentrating on the asinine that she barely noticed it when someone quietly stepped up beside her, to walk along as well, until a pleasantly even tone was washing over her. Taken aback by its unexpectedness she quickly faced the source, but had to stop at the same time. (She had found out an early age she was never good with multitasking.) She probably seemed to look past the woman that had spoken (she realized the lilting light pitch could be nothing else but feminine in nature) and she had to hold back a grimace and instead letting soft confusion crinkle at her brow. “Wrong?” she repeated back but finding that a bit of shy awkwardness charging forward now, “well…there’s nothing to terribly amiss.”

Naiara tried a small smile then, just a gentle curve of her lips before going on, “a-although,” she said in an almost faltering, stuttering way. “Would you mind telling me where I am exactly?” Just a description of the surroundings would do to possibly get a handle on the direction she was or had been headed.

[Nari]

Nari skidded, uncoordinated and almost tripping over her own feet when her companion stopped suddenly to face her. She wrinkled her nose at her own clumsiness and opened her mouth to ask for an explanation before realizing that the other Konti couldn’t have seen her trip. The woman couldn’t see anything, for that matter, which was more than enough explanation in itself. Some mystery; instead of feeling satisfied with finding the answer, Nari ended up feeling guilty for her curiosity. What kind of person was intrigued by the hardship of others? These thoughts and more flashed through her mind furiously, taking only a fraction of a moment before she was stunned by her body’s reaction: a subtle tightening of her muscle and a quick inhalation of surprise, the latter which was probably heard by Naiara.

“Oh,” she said, rather stupidly, trying to cover her shock. Her voice spilled from her lips, words surging and running together uncontrollably. “I didn’t know— that is, I didn’t mean to interrupt your concentration. I just thought that, perhaps, you might have been looking for a particular place and gotten turned around. It happens to me all the time, you see, so I wanted to help. I could go…away if you prefer?” Nari was almost glad her acquaintance couldn’t see the blood flowing to her cheeks at the moment. It would have given her away worse than her sputtering had. The woman’s bright blue, yet sightless, eyes held her captive even though they weren’t exactly looking at her.

She ducked her head, noticing belatedly that she had actually been asked a question and that her companion had been smiling hesitantly, at least before the forceful outburst. “We’re near-- I mean, we’re just across from Waterfall Fabrics. Can you hear the rustle of cotton, the crinkle of paper where the goods are wrapped? A pair of women just left with bundles in their arms. We’re at the start of one of the main streets for shops,” she finished, raising one shoulder in half a shrug before it dawned on her that her companion couldn’t observe the gesture.

“Do you walk this way often?” she added, trying to change the subject.

[Naiara Vevier]

Naiara’s fingers curled unconsciously into the breathable material of her skirt and released - did that a few times in fact as she waited. She felt the small smile start to falter; or rather it became a noticeable strain to keep it on her face, however slight. She heard the quick correcting steps caused by her sudden stop (though she couldn’t be sure that the other woman had nearly tripped) but felt immediately bad for having been so abrupt. The small sharp intake reached her ears as well, probably in realization and her own lips parted as if to say something else but stopped short.

Despite feeling responsible for the other woman’s current discomfort, Naiara’s lips pressed together immediately again as if to swallow a majority of her short amusement, sharing the feeling of awkward first meetings in that moment. Her chin ducked down a little and didn’t bother sweeping away the stray wavy strand of blond hair that fell across her forehead, into her eyes, the shorter ends sort of tickling her nose. Instead she nodded, once more smiling softly and easily…that was until the suggestion was made that she could go. “Oh, no please don’t,” she on the hasty side, her voice rising a little and her eyes widening at the thought.

No, she didn’t know the other Konti with her, but anyone that had taken the time to take notice of her was more then appreciated at the moment. She hated to be continually be dependent – first on her family and now on this stranger, but she had done something she normally wouldn’t, taken the initiative to potentially do nothing more then get herself into trouble. Well, she hadn’t found trouble, but that was just as well, however - in truth she was still a bit overwhelmed by her choice, the fact she had actually met someone and that nothing world ending had happened because of it…Nonetheless, she wasn’t noticing things like she should have - like the perfume the other woman wore, light and pleasant. She was pretty sure her brain couldn’t settle on which way to feel, one way or another.

Naiara had yet to get a name either, but they’d cross that particular bridge when they got there and now had her head straightened, slightly titled again in what probably looked to be curiosity. It was of no consequence to her that her current company hadn’t realized she was blind…she certainly wasn’t offended by the fact. And she wondered briefly if there was any way of alleviating her new friend here of any groundless embarrassment. When she finally starting speaking again it was to answer her question about where she was. Waterfall Fabrics…she knew the store, her mother had often come to buy their goods.

Like that though, the subtle silent tension running along Naiara’s spine snapped. She breathed out a soft laugh then took a breath but felt her small smile twitching wider realizing she hadn’t gone very far at all and even knew that there was a bakery up the main stretch of street to her left. Naiara also knew that if she walked a little closer she’d be able to smell the baking bread and just under that the sweet smell of honey and cinnamon as a mix of nuts were roasted then sold candied - to mostly the children. It was a childhood favorite of hers anyways and without being aware of it the thought had sobered her up a little but left traces of the fond memory on her face.

“Pardon,” Naiara said going on with the apology and the conversation. There was the fact she couldn’t hear anything coming inside from the fabrics store across the street…she was sure perhaps if she had been closer she might, but there was just nothing exactly super about her hearing. It was just a little keener then most was all. However, she didn’t feel the need to exactly explain or expand on that. Although, she did hear the door opening, the melodious little bell tinkling to signal the people leaving, but she merely had to take her word that it was two women. “Thank you, and no…I – I don’t go anywhere alone normally. For obvious reasons I suppose,” Naiara said evenly enough but had the decency too at least sound and appear a little ashamed about that.

It struck her that the other woman just might have something to do other then entertaining her at the moment and the affable expression she wore melted somewhat, before returning just as quickly – a simmering of change, “if I’m keeping you from anything I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have a problem from here. My name is Naiara, by the way.” With that she held her hand out in the right direction.

[Nari]

Nari would have been mortally embarrassed to know she had just assumed that a blind person had a super hearing ability. Of course, she knew nothing of truly being blind, but extending one sense for the lack of another seemed right. Then again, she really didn’t know how to gauge the ratio of addition to one sense in place of another, either. Her only experience came from closing her eyes, which was certainly different, though she couldn’t say how exactly. She just should have stuck to her number one rule of etiquette: one did not just assume things about strangers, and if they did, they certainly didn’t say it aloud. What kind of first impression does that make? Luckily, though, she knew nothing of it, so her composure was still at least partially intact.

She noticed the other Konti’s facial expressions, from curious to eased and content to distressed and abashed- they all flowed over her features like a stream. It was endearing to see someone whose expressions matched their words and tone. It seemed there was little guile in Naiara- more straightforwardness and sweetness in its place- and that was something Nari appreciated and thought the world needed.

So Naiara didn’t walk alone often. Hmmm. “Today was special then? To make you choose to walk along the streets unaccompanied?” she asked, waving her hand around her as if her companion could see it. When she caught herself at it, though, her blanch was hidden just as well as her gesture. Stupid.

“It is lucky you live in Mura. You likely chose the one safe place in Mizahar to walk alone,” she said quickly, attempting to cover her faux pas with a light tone- but inadvertently inducing a shudder to travel through her body instead. Yes, bring up serious fears with a stranger on the side of the street. Good plan.

Really, Nari didn’t mean Mura was the only safe place for someone with Naira’s condition, though that would add to the danger most anywhere; but it was the only safe place for anyone to be alone really- especially a pretty, young Konti. These were the things that kept Nari awake at night, anxious and unable to leave the Island, but not exactly small talk. “Still, your family isn’t worried? I mean, if you don't usually wander the city alone, won't they wonder where you are?”

“You don't have to answer that!" she added abruptly, holding her hands out without even noticing that she did so. Sometimes family business was better kept private, not pried into by strangers.

Nari sighed, trying to calm herself. She was probably sounding like a moron. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Naiara," she said, hopefully in a more relaxed tone. If there was one thing she did know, it was that it is rude not to acknowledge someone else's name or tell that person your name in return. Her only excuse was that her mind had been full of other things until now. It wasn’t as if she met someone new every day, especially someone who put her through such emotional turmoil. "I’m Nari, like the language, only not since I can't speak any of it."

Am I being rude? Should I stay? Should I leave her in peace? Is she hungry? Should I ask her to go to get something to eat with me? Would she want me to help her find a place to eat, even if she doesn’t want to eat with me? Does she even want my help at all? Is it rude to assume she would want my help? Wait, did she just say something? Should I ask her to repeat herself? Standing in the middle of the street is a little eye-catching and impractical. Should I move to the side of the path so I’m not in anyone’s way? How should I tell her I’m moving without making it awkward? Is it already awkward for her? Should I ask if its awkward so I can try to fix it? How do I fix it if it is awkward?

Her brain hadn’t worked this quickly in quite some time. It was only then that she realized her acquaintance had dismissed her. So Naiara had found her irritating. "Oh," she replied, lowering her voice. "I have no other plans for the day, but I don't want to keep you from what you are doing, either. I didn't mean to keep you here. Please, have a lovely day and enjoy your walk."

[Alice]

Naiara Vevier

Experience: 2 Observation, 2 Conversation
Lores: Visions, Getting Lost, Asking for Help

Nari

Experience: 2 Observation, 2 Conversation
Lores: Meeting a Blind Konti, Clumsiness, Being Irritated

Comments

I loved not only the interaction and conversation, but also the inner monologues of you two! So far, this is a very well-written scene, and it’s a pity it won’t be continued. (In case Naiara returns, you can finish at any time though.) I didn’t quite know what to award though, since most of your writing was dialogue and thoughts … If you feel I’ve missed something, please talk to me. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed reading it!