Fall 26, 517 AV
Sayana appeared at the entrance to the orphanage dressed finely, but as herself. She was trying to make a true effort to follow Clyde’s wishes. To not hide herself using magic and instead rise above and over the problem rather than slinking beneath it.
The Eypharian wore a favourite dress. Floor lengthed, red and black, and of a fine material. Black boots clicked upon the steps to the orphanage as she approached the door. She had still chosen to wear a black fur trimmed shawl, rather than leaving her multiple shoulders bare. It was a new acquirement and one that spoke of wealth. White soft rabbit fur as the season grew colder. Instead of the usual daggers at her hip, she had a pair of small ones fastened to her shins. After all, she was visiting a place with children and it would not do well to openly display weaponry.
However, in a low hand she did carry a small bag, almost purse-like with three items. In was another small dagger, but meant for smaller hands, a tiny jar of climbing resin, and a length of silk rope.
She knocked three times upon the large oak door of the orphanage. Several ticks passed and she raised her right high to knock again, however this time the door slowly opened. A young servant girl stood in the doorway.
“There’s a child I would like to meet with. I knew her mother. Could you take me to someone in charge so I might learn whether the orphan indeed resides here?”
The servant was momentarily startled at the request. It was not often that distant relations were found, be it by blood or otherwise. These children were those who truly had nowhere to go. No family, distant or otherwise, to take them in.
As Sayana was ushered in, the servant led her to an office with seats and a desk. After being asked to wait, a rather pristine and stoic looking woman stepped in.
“Good afternoon, are you the woman asking about one of the orphans? My name is Miss Sonja.” She spoke and offered a hand to shake.
Sayana reached out with her mid right and clasped the lady’s hand. However, at the same time her shoulders shrugged off the shawl somewhat and it became evidently clear that she was far from human by Ravok standards. There was a sudden hardening of Sonja’s eyes and the hand that Sayana was shaking clenched.
“My name is Sayana, and I knew the mother of an orphan who I believe resides here. The girl would be about ten or twelve now. Her name would be, Tie…” The Eypharian feigned trying to recall a name from an age ago, letting it hang in the air.
“Tierra?” Sonja replied sharply. “Look. I don’t know who you think you are or why you’ve come here. But if you dare lay a hand on these children… I’d like to see your citizenship papers. Now.”
“I beg your pardon?” Sayana answered as though taken aback. However, she met Sonja’s glare with a fierce gaze of her own. Unlike the mistress of the orphanage, Sayana was prepared for the confrontation. Like a coiling snake she grasped at the woman’s fears and concerns. With their intense gaze, it took but a moment for the hypnotist to release her djed, strengthening the caretaker’s concern for the children, wanting them to be safe, to be protected, to have a good life, to…
In the last moment of their stare, a sudden idea would spring to the mind of Miss Sonja. What if the orphanage wasn’t enough? What if Tierra could have a chance at a real family?
The seed of doubt would flicker through the mistress’s mind as Sayana broke the stare and settled back on the chair in a relaxed manner, arms out. She was no longer going to hide.
“Look, I have no intention of harming anyone. Least of all children. Only those who are truly despicable harm the innocent.” Sayana had no weapons on her visibly, and she opened out her arms to show she had ill intentions.
There was a long pause from Miss Sonja. The seed had been planted but it had not yet fully taken root.
“So how come I haven’t heard of you before. ‘Miss’ Sayana. It’s been twelve years. Why didn’t you come sooner?”
“Tierra’s mother was by no means my closest friend, but she was still a friend. I have not been in Ravok for many years, and when I found out that she was… Well. To say the least, I needed to know if her daughter was alive and well.”
A slow smile curled over Sonja’s face. Like a spider leading its prey into a trap she chose her words carefully.
“And Tierra’s mother. What was her name?”
Sayana smiled slowly, her tongue and lips tingling with the sweet and sour taste of djed. With a finger she beckoned the lady forwards to lean over the desk as she whispered in her ear. However, when she spoke the faintest of words, they were not words of Common or any other language. They were mere gibberish, spoken softly yet passionately. However they were laced with so much hypnotic magic that only a single thought could readily surface upon the caregiver’s mind. Of course that’s Tierra’s mother’s name.
After that, it didn’t take long for Sayana to be granted private audience with the girl, who Sayana now knew to be Tierra as her full name. One of the staff would bring the orphan to the office, but with little explanation, since Sayana had said that she didn’t want to get the girl’s hopes up if problems arose and a home and family were no longer possible.
Sayana for her part waited patiently, with the small bag placed neatly in her lap.
Sayana appeared at the entrance to the orphanage dressed finely, but as herself. She was trying to make a true effort to follow Clyde’s wishes. To not hide herself using magic and instead rise above and over the problem rather than slinking beneath it.
The Eypharian wore a favourite dress. Floor lengthed, red and black, and of a fine material. Black boots clicked upon the steps to the orphanage as she approached the door. She had still chosen to wear a black fur trimmed shawl, rather than leaving her multiple shoulders bare. It was a new acquirement and one that spoke of wealth. White soft rabbit fur as the season grew colder. Instead of the usual daggers at her hip, she had a pair of small ones fastened to her shins. After all, she was visiting a place with children and it would not do well to openly display weaponry.
However, in a low hand she did carry a small bag, almost purse-like with three items. In was another small dagger, but meant for smaller hands, a tiny jar of climbing resin, and a length of silk rope.
She knocked three times upon the large oak door of the orphanage. Several ticks passed and she raised her right high to knock again, however this time the door slowly opened. A young servant girl stood in the doorway.
“There’s a child I would like to meet with. I knew her mother. Could you take me to someone in charge so I might learn whether the orphan indeed resides here?”
The servant was momentarily startled at the request. It was not often that distant relations were found, be it by blood or otherwise. These children were those who truly had nowhere to go. No family, distant or otherwise, to take them in.
As Sayana was ushered in, the servant led her to an office with seats and a desk. After being asked to wait, a rather pristine and stoic looking woman stepped in.
“Good afternoon, are you the woman asking about one of the orphans? My name is Miss Sonja.” She spoke and offered a hand to shake.
Sayana reached out with her mid right and clasped the lady’s hand. However, at the same time her shoulders shrugged off the shawl somewhat and it became evidently clear that she was far from human by Ravok standards. There was a sudden hardening of Sonja’s eyes and the hand that Sayana was shaking clenched.
“My name is Sayana, and I knew the mother of an orphan who I believe resides here. The girl would be about ten or twelve now. Her name would be, Tie…” The Eypharian feigned trying to recall a name from an age ago, letting it hang in the air.
“Tierra?” Sonja replied sharply. “Look. I don’t know who you think you are or why you’ve come here. But if you dare lay a hand on these children… I’d like to see your citizenship papers. Now.”
“I beg your pardon?” Sayana answered as though taken aback. However, she met Sonja’s glare with a fierce gaze of her own. Unlike the mistress of the orphanage, Sayana was prepared for the confrontation. Like a coiling snake she grasped at the woman’s fears and concerns. With their intense gaze, it took but a moment for the hypnotist to release her djed, strengthening the caretaker’s concern for the children, wanting them to be safe, to be protected, to have a good life, to…
In the last moment of their stare, a sudden idea would spring to the mind of Miss Sonja. What if the orphanage wasn’t enough? What if Tierra could have a chance at a real family?
The seed of doubt would flicker through the mistress’s mind as Sayana broke the stare and settled back on the chair in a relaxed manner, arms out. She was no longer going to hide.
“Look, I have no intention of harming anyone. Least of all children. Only those who are truly despicable harm the innocent.” Sayana had no weapons on her visibly, and she opened out her arms to show she had ill intentions.
There was a long pause from Miss Sonja. The seed had been planted but it had not yet fully taken root.
“So how come I haven’t heard of you before. ‘Miss’ Sayana. It’s been twelve years. Why didn’t you come sooner?”
“Tierra’s mother was by no means my closest friend, but she was still a friend. I have not been in Ravok for many years, and when I found out that she was… Well. To say the least, I needed to know if her daughter was alive and well.”
A slow smile curled over Sonja’s face. Like a spider leading its prey into a trap she chose her words carefully.
“And Tierra’s mother. What was her name?”
Sayana smiled slowly, her tongue and lips tingling with the sweet and sour taste of djed. With a finger she beckoned the lady forwards to lean over the desk as she whispered in her ear. However, when she spoke the faintest of words, they were not words of Common or any other language. They were mere gibberish, spoken softly yet passionately. However they were laced with so much hypnotic magic that only a single thought could readily surface upon the caregiver’s mind. Of course that’s Tierra’s mother’s name.
After that, it didn’t take long for Sayana to be granted private audience with the girl, who Sayana now knew to be Tierra as her full name. One of the staff would bring the orphan to the office, but with little explanation, since Sayana had said that she didn’t want to get the girl’s hopes up if problems arose and a home and family were no longer possible.
Sayana for her part waited patiently, with the small bag placed neatly in her lap.
Receipt :
Credit: Shimoje
