[the Enclave] Thinking is bad for you (Alstromeria]

[Rista]

46th of Summer, 511 AV

All in all it had turned out to be a boring day. It was raining heavily outside and a much anticipated lesson in local herbalism had been canceled; instead the older yasi had been assigned to helping the younger ones out at the archery ranges. There had barely been time to eat before bendi, and it was still an hour or two left until dinner was served. She was hungry. Her head ached, but there was nothing to do except reading and since she hated to get wet there was no allure to stepping outside. Adding to the miseries, her hands ached. Rista had been assigned to cleaning today, and the day before; she was beginning to wonder if the raisin-like state of her fingertips were to become permanent, and the continuous use of the bow had given her callouses. She was careful every time she flipped the page in the heavy volume that rested over the knees, careful not to cut herself or accidentally injure the thin sheets of paper. She looked concentrated as she stared at the carefully written words, but to be honest she didn't remember much of what she was reading.

She had a feeling that she might be in trouble. This summer there had been way too many Endals around, and it made her feel nervous. Rista looked up to the eagle bonded hunters as if they were demi-gods or heroes, but they sure were scary when they looked at you as if they were planning something; all the more since the time of her 15th birthday was drawing closer. She had still to be chosen as an apprentice by an Avora and so far she hadn't been sent to work among the Dek... But unless something drastical happened that would improve her skills, she was heading straight towards the drudge cast and a life of hard work, little food and no real saying in her life. It would be a nightmare...
And if that wasn't enough, the old man at Sanikas Gate was becoming more than annoying. Every time she had to go through he pestered her about learning Tawna; the accursed language of her accursed so called father. If you even could call someone who just mated and left a father; Rista didn't know, and she honestly didn't care. The mere thought of it made her upset as always, and her hands tightened around the upper corner of the page she was holding.

The crunching sound of old paper woke her from the grim thoughts, and with a grimace she tried to straighten out the wrinkled corner. It hadn't teared, but if a librarian saw it she wouldn't be let off easily. Books were valuable and hard to come by; all the yasi could listen til their ears bled on how they had to be careful and not mess around when they handled the books. The girl carefully looked up and peered around her at the many chairs and worn couches that were spread through the area. She seemed to be alone in the room; most of the yasi had bendi still, some wouldn't even make it to dinner and the few who had extra lessons in a subject had occupied one of the classrooms. She could hear someone moving a bit further away; steps tended to echo in the stone-walled rooms, but so far the black-eyed girl couldn't see anyone. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing, that it was so easy to get away this time. A part of her felt like being scolded, if only to regain a bit of her energy. Having someone yell at her was always a good way of working up her temper, and in comparison to this tired, thoughtful state that she was in, Rista would prefer fuming with anger. At least then she would have an excuse to punch someone in the face.

She grimaced faintly at the pointlessness of her thoughts and returned her attention to the book. It was a heavy volume dealing with mountain flora and speculated about the use of various plants for food, healing and dye; quite dry and boring, but Rista disliked not knowing things. The ability to recognize plants and know the uses of them was good to have, even if she didn't know when she would have any use for it. If she ended up as Dek she would hardly have time to leave Wind Reach... Great. Now she was back to that again, dreading something that might not even happen. Sometimes she wanted to curse herself for being so pessimistic. If only she had a bit more faith in herself... She wasn't really useless, it just felt that way when she continued to fail with the things the Avora tried to make her to. So far she had proven good at handling animals, clean and handle the bow; not something anyone had much use for. Aside from Endal perhaps, but that was a dream that was unlikely to be fulfilled. She was still very young, she was a half breed with strange skin and weird eyes, and the odds were incredibly low that a young Wind Eagle would ever choose her for the bond. No, she had to find something else to do, something that would enable her to a cast even a bit higher than Dek. Avora, or even Chiet would be better...

OocOh dear, she's gloomy. Just can't seem to get the mood up on her; guess it's just one of those days. ^^ Hope the date suits you, otherwise we can push it forward a bit; not back though.

[Alstroemeria]

Alstroemeria kept herself in a small corner where she could keep herself away from the contact of others. Today, she had her hair up... It was more of a studious look, although she looked more let go when she had her hair out. On the other hand, she was forced to wear glasses, how wonderful... More studious, smart-like looks for Also aye? She was busy doing some research on her family, she was given a book from a young about her entire family. She always loved a good mystery to solve, it challenged her brain in many ways.

She had the book layer out, pen, paper, and anything else she could grab her little dainty fingers on. She kept herself completely zoned in on the subject, not allowing her mind to drift onto anything else. It wasn't that she was trying to get everything done in one day but figure out who she was. Everything comes as a blur to her, its never clear which makes it even more frustrating for that matter. She peered from the edge of the bookcase she was hidden, she heard movement meaning someone was here. She saw a girl, she was young, fair, good-looking as well! She didn't bother to make contact, she just shrugged it off and returned to her work.

Ven was yet to tell her about his job and the people he has met. He was a pelvic, a fox to be exact... Cute, aye? He was probably the key to her mystery! Let's just hope he can give her the right address... She dearly hoped that her birth parents weren't dead! How devastated she would be, she couldn't think how emotional her life would become. Not even getting a glimpse or even getting to know them!... Off the subject, she didn't want to cry or at least be heard for that matter. She peered over at the girl again, the crushing of the paper for her book shook against her spine. Her hearing was sensitive as was every single part in her body, doing some martial arts would do the trick if she knew where to go. She had been living here for 16 years yet doesn't know the area well. She spent most of her time outside in the sun, but she was more antisocial verbally than mentally.

Her pen broke, a large snap echoed along the hollow walls.. She grabbed her books quickly trying not to make a big statement, heading for another corner. Hoping not even to be seen, making contact with anyone was out of the question for that matter.

[Rista]

Rista eventually closed the book with a disgusted sound and raised a hand to rub her eyes. She couldn't focus on anything she was reading, and the only things she could think about were hopelessly depressing and didn't make her feel any better. The headache was getting worse too, from too much reading and poor lighting. This wouldn't do at all; there had to be something else to occupy herself with.
The dark-haired girl got up from her seat and picked up the book, intent on carrying it back to the shelf when the sound of something snapping echoed through the hall. She looked up and peered around with a slight frown; she had been certain that she was alone, but that sound was definitely caused by a person. Reluctantly curious, Rista quickly placed the volume back where it belonged and began to roam among the shelves, pretending to look at the leather-bound collection of wisdom but in reality trying to determine where the sound had come from. She took her time, slowly managing closer to where she thought she might have heard something, when suddenly a girl came scurrying with a load of books in her arms.

Rista raised an eyebrow. She thought she recognized her, but wasn't sure; she looked like she was a bit older, and the copper-skinned girl had never cared much for the older yasi; too many of them had been a source of taunts and fighting, so it was more of a defensive trait that anything else that she chose to ignore them.
So what now? Should she try to talk to the girl? The way she hugged the books suggested that she was a bit busy, but for what reason had that sound been made? Unimportant as it were, in her bored state the small mystery was still enough to keep Rista entertained. Allowing a distance to build up between them, she began to sneak after the other, keeping to the shelves and sometimes picking out books and flipping through them. Oh she was so obvious, it wasn't a very good way of spying at all, but it was fun and it took up some time, which was everything she needed right now. What exactly was the subject of the others studies? That was what she was going to find out, and the ridiculous way she was trying to determine it with was enough to put a smile on her face. Good. This was definitely a better mood than the one before.

[Alstroemeria]

"Your rather obvious you know that?" She arched one brow, whenever she was alone in complete silence the nerves in her spine would tingle when someone was around "Don't fret... Sorry for the 'rude' introduction. You can come sit by me if you want?" She said with a pleasant voice. The more to help to the merrier, and she needed some friends... It was depressing to be alone half of the time. She couldn't see the girls face exactly, but by her movements she might at least be 2 years younger. Age was but a number to her, although it was fun anyways to meet new people. Living in complete silence always leads to shyness, she wanted to be ambitious. Living life to the fullest!

She saw her peer from the bookcase, she didn't want to make a bad first impression. Which she probably did, but that is going to change! Somehow, she is going to make an actual friend. She knew that it was stupid although it was on her list, only determination could thrive her well-being. She stared at the papers realizing she wanted to stick her nose into her business. It was her family though not hers why could she be so intrigued by work. Unless she was a logical person such as herself, but who knows? Never judge a book by its cover... A common saying you'd get anywhere no matter where you go.

[Rista]

There was a grin resting on her face as Rista shrugged and stopped her attempts at sneaking. She moved away from the shelves and moved over to the other, glancing briefly at the papers and books as she adjusted the black bryda on her hips. "It was worth a try" she shrugged, moving her gaze to look at the other. The girl seemed to be a couple of years older than her, maybe one or two, which meant that she should have a higher rank. Unless she was a dek of course. But why a drudge would be searching through the library went beyond her, so that left only Chiet; she seemed too young to really be an Avora yet.

"Sorry for intruding" Rista said and stuck her thumbs casually behind the waistband of her wide trousers. "Am I interrupting something? If so I can leave, in case you don't want help." Her voice was firm but still polite and suave as she addressed the other; it was hard to know what she could say when it wasn't determined what rank the girl had. She really did guess for Chiet and kept her words polite enough for it, but it would be embarrassing if it turned out that she stood and held back in front of a drudge. "I am yasi Rista" she tried, hoping that she would be rewarded with both courtesy and a bit of information; Syna knew how she hated not to know exactly where she stood. For all that their society was free and unbound it was still really strict when it came to certain things, and Rista only felt really comfortable when the rules were clearly defined.

[Alstroemeria]

"Well... Rista. A beautiful name! I wouldn't mind the help..." She shrugged carelessly trying not to be to obvious. She was always good at that, lying... Such a powerful word that can taunt you no matter where you go. Her mind blab caused too much friction in her brain she might as well shut up and make some conversation. "Well... Come on, take a seat!" She gestured her to an empty spot right next to her.

She opened out a big map of the village she pointed out the place where she was almost killed. She circled it in black pinpointing where it was, then headed for the area the man left. This was an unsure, more or less a guess on where the man left. He was so swift it was like a dream... "So he was here... Then went here..." She said tracing her index finger along the old, rigid paper of the map. She forgot to remember her manners, she was so busy trying to do everything for herself, she forgot about Rista. "Oh! Where are my manners?" She laughed at herself, being in her family everything was done individually. She always took charge because she felt her family didn't fit in her forte. "Tre cool, no?" She said stating french, one of the words she used occasionally.

[Rista]

The girl raised an eyebrow at the lack of response when she told her name. Or rather the lack of the kind of response she had been fishing for. While she did as she was told and sat down by the table the copper-skinned girl looked over the papers and tried to figure out what they were meant for. Obviously she was doing something, but what? Was it studying, research, logistics or what? The answer could prove a means to determine what caste the girl belonged to - she swore, if it turned out she was tip-toeing around a dek then she would.. would do something that wasn't nice. Even now, Rista felt annoyed about how the girl behaved. Was it so bad to just reveal your name? At least that way she should be able to know if they had met before, even if she indeed doubted it.

Sitting with one hand on the surface of the table, Rista waited quietly for the red-head to tell her what she could help with. Her fingers tapped a slight rhythm, first slowly and as the chimes passed the rhythm picked up in speed as her annoyance and impatience rose. Okay, this was pointless. Why would she sit here without doing anything, just staring at some impolite scatterbrain? Rista couldn't really come up with anything else to do, sure, but this was even more a waste of time than her so called reading had been. The dark-haired yasi was just about to get up and leave when the other finally appeared to remember about her, and Rista paused just long enough to stare at the other. Her lips pressed tightly together in poorly hidden anger as she looked over the map. What was cool about that? What was she supposed to react to?

"You know" she said with low voice, annoyed and not afraid to let it show. "If you don't need or want my help, why don't you just say so? Unless you tell be what you are doing and in what purpose, how could I possibly do anything but sit here and waste my time?" She moved her eyes away from the map and tried to catch the gaze of the other, fully knowing that the solid black color used to make people uneasy or surprised. Right now, any kind of emotion coaxed from the girl would be good. "Exactly what caste do you belong to? You haven't introduced yourself yet, and you're really not acting like any Chiet I've met before. What is your occupation?"
Oh, Rista was being both bold and rude. Her frustration was running away with her tongue, and if it turned out that the other was in fact someone with status she would hear about it. An Avora that was faced with such a tone - the questions in themselves probably weren't that bad, but the tone of disbelief wouldn't be tolerated - would have her on her knees scrubbing floors before she knew it, and it was quite possible that an Endal would hang her upside down from a balcony to teach her perspective. The thing was, she didn't believe that this girl, barely older than herself was either of those. And Chiet who didn't work in the library rarely spent time there, and a dek wouldn't have much time to do things other than work.. and they certainly wouldn't talk to others like this, not even to a yasi. So, the question remained; who was this girl, and would Rista end up in trouble now? If not, it was pretty certain that it was the red-haired girl that would get herself a handful... if the brawling yasi's expression was anything to go by.

[Alstroemeria]

Alstroemeria stared at her wide-eyed, she felt dumbfounded not even telling her name "I'm Alstroemeria... I am a chiet...." She stated simply. "And pardon me for taking charge of this, without telling you. It's a habit." She looked down nervously, she had a right to act the way she did. Her hand touched the map going through another mismatched flash back. It was her when she was being placed in that cave her foster parents found her in. "Lord..." She mumbled underneath her breath. Flash backs were like a migrane painful and just downright mean. At least in her terms.

She turned her gaze back to Rista, she flipped her long red hair back. She rose from her position standing at 5' 2". She grabbed all her books and papers walking off, she had enough to deal with. Honestly she really should have just left her with her snooping. She stopped for a second. "I'm sorry... As if it would fix anything in both of our lives though." She paused for a second to wait for her response. Nothing. Was she dumb-founded by her words, or was she just building up more frustration. "Look, what I was doing is like a case. Detective work?" She revealed her scar. "I need to identify a man, with nothing to find. I really honestly need some help. If your still interested then just say something." She very well knew she sounded desperate. Although as some say two heads are better than one!

[Rista]

She stared at the other as she began to gather the things and get up. She was a chiet? She must be the most scatterbrained women she had ever met! Not to mention that she allowed Rista to talk to her that way, it was quite unbelievable. She shrugged uncomfortably with her shoulders, not really sure what she should be doing or how to act. Alstroemeria - what a strange name - was getting up to leave too, and turned her back on the flustered yasi. She realized, she was actually flustered. Her strong feelings was building up rapidly now, but suddenly they had nowhere to go since she couldn't lash at the other - with a dek she could at least have gone away with a slap on the cheek for being unclear - but right now she just sat there, huffing and trying to regain some kind of understanding of the situation. Should she apologize? Rista didn't really feel like it, she didn't see that she had done anything wrong by asking, but the girl had looked... what? Offended? No, she wasn't offended, not even annoyed and that was probably what confused the girl the most.

Rista still hadn't moved when the red-haired chiet turned around. She jumped a little as the other spoke, and turned around on the chair to look at her. A thin black eyebrow was raised slightly at the explanation, and she was close to returning to the same mood and tone of voice as before; only with difficulty did she restrain herself. Using a milder tone - that strangely sounded even more aggressive than before since she was struggling so hard to keep it up, - she motioned to the other to return to the chair.

"How can I do anything if you don't say what you want me to do?" she asked and rolled her shoulders a bit to try and relax. "Why do you need to find this person? Tell me about it, I might be able to help. Even without these papers, if we ask around a bit we might hear something... But sit down, please." She felt uncomfortable telling the other what to do. Even if there wasn't much of a difference in their ages, Rista felt way older, or at least more decisive than the girl and it was just wrong.
"You really should work up some spine, or no one will ever take you seriously" she muttered under her breath, not really intending for it to be heard.

[Alstroemeria]

She stared at her simply straightening her posture. "I maybe older than you, but I'm just flustered as hell!" She laughed at herself. "Well... Alright." She sighed sitting next to her. She looked at her simply about to tell her the story. She went back in time to when she was 5 years and she's in the wind breach doing some exploration. She saw a man in a black cloak about to shoot one of the eagles. She took out her dagger throwing it straight for his shoulder blade. In defense, he shot out a blade heading for her neck. She tried to dodge it, but instead it hit the left side of her chest. She ran off, continuing to look back at the man. When she faced her head forward, she bumped right into him. How scared she was, he grabbed her by the neck choking her. How, why would he do this? She thought. He finally dropped her, letting himself fo of the urge to kill her. She ran off, despite her bleeding she never wanted to come back there. Although she couldn't help herself, but all she had to ask was one question. 'Who was that man?'

Returning herself to reality. She shifted the books to the side. "So do you think we could find him? And I'm a bit flustered here because I only got 2 hours of sleep." She sighed. She always had an answer for everything, she grew up like that. Especially being strange, always holding in her feelings, and that's what lead to it. She had to stop it, she had so many problems. It must have irritated people, how stupid she was!