Scheherazade in Blue Jeans

(Reminder: I'm going off the prompts I was given for Jack's medical care. This one is Miniatures.)

Kieran finally found Capri in the basement of the Tower. The basement had become project space for off-duty Kirayth; over the past few years it had been subdivided until it was a large-scale maze, and Kieran had to make his way through makeshift wood shops and electronics labs, doubling back a few times to try to get to the far side of the basement.

When he finally turned the corner, he stopped short, staring at the display. Capri, perched on a smaller table next to the enormous table that took up much of the floorspace, grinned. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Huh." He walked around the table, taking it all in - a perfect scale model of Shayara, from the gates all the way back to the Ferris wheel at the rear of the Carnival district. At least at first glance, it looked perfect, right down to the verdigris on the gates. He bent to eye his own district. "I can't speak for anyone else's territory, but Narsan's spot on. Is this yours?"

"Michael's. He used to do model railroads. This would totally have a train running through it. If, y'know, we had a train here."

"How long has he...?"

"I found it a year ago, but it was pretty complete even then. I think he's been working on it since he found the city."

"A year. You never said!"

She brandished a paintbrush at him. "Hey. I don't get many secrets. You have to allow me a few."

"True enough." He grinned. "Hey, there's the Tower."

She touched the penthouse of the model Tower gently. "And there I am, always."

He studied her. "This is pretty up to date, actually."

"It should be precisely up to date. Michael updates it."

"What are you painting?"

"Tyka's coffeehouse."

"Oh yeah. They did just go blue." A few months ago, but I'm sure Michael's doing his best to keep up.

"Is this the right blue?"

"Yeah, looks spot-on."

"Good." She smiled wistfully. "Someday I'll get to go there again."

He nodded, walking around the model, and she huffed a small laugh. He looked back up at her. "What?"

"You used to reassure me. 'Yes, Capri, you'll get out of the Tower soon. You can stop hiding soon. We'll take back the city soon.'"

"You will. We will."

"It's been five years."

"And we're looking for the Lishaya now."

"Yeah, I know." She scooted off the table and set her paintbrush down on a paper towel. "You're looking for her, and then you'll be convincing her, and then there'll be endless planning, and then Tyka will be painting the coffeehouse again, and... I don't know, Kier. I want to go for a walk. I want to go get my own muffins from Tyka's. I want to go out dancing; I've never been. I do my best for you and Halloran and everyone, but sometimes I am so tired of being the girl in the Tower." She touched another building, one with ivy painted on its walls, and met his eyes. "That's where I lived before the Purges. Do you remember?"

"Yes."

"I love you guys. But I want to go home." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, then retreated through the partitioned maze. Kieran lingered, letting her go, studying the castle at the heart of the model city - the only building with no detail whatsoever.

If you liked this, back Sindrian's Kickstarter!

Capri is a chipper sort, but not all the time, and five years of hiding can get to anyone.

Oh hey, having an obsessively-detailed scale model of the city is going to come in handy planning that war. So remember that that's there, kthx.

Here is the promised guide to Shayara colors, shapes, symbols, whatever. This is written primarily for people who want to make things for Blogathon, but hey, if you find stuff of interest here, yay for you!

The City
Shayara is a walled city on the coast. The walls are grey stone, very high, and wide enough for people to walk comfortably on top. Y'know, if they don't fear heights. The gates are likewise enormous, wrought iron with all manner of curlicues, long since rusted open. So for the walls and gates, think grey, think circles, think knotwork or spirals.

Most of the city correlates to the Houses, which will be described individually. But the Carnival District takes up much of the back end of the city, and is fairly ungoverned.

“I don’t think you’ve said – what’s the deal with the Carnival District? I mean, the city is all divided into territories, but here in the back, just this ungoverned space…?”

“House Tamra takes charge of it. When we have leadership for House Tamra, that is. It started, way back in the beginning, as a plot of land no one would build on. I don’t know why. But when the city was divided up, no one took this area. Over time it became a bit of a red light district.”

Katrina peered down an alley. “So this is where the head shops are.”

“Among other things, yes.”

“Other things?”

“…specialty leather goods.”

“Hm?”

"Later for that. But all the festivals are held here or in the park, because it’s neutral ground.”

Anything circus-oriented would work for the Carnival District. Or, um, specialty leather goods. Which we had some of in last year's auction! (Bonus: If you make kinky things for me to auction, I have to write about kinky things. Is that a briar patch I see before me?)

The city predates humans, so anything from any era can be spun in somehow!

The Houses
There are 21 houses in total - seven Great Houses, and fourteen other houses. The first, second, and third circle. Each House has charge of a house in the second and third circle - three groups of seven. Threes and sevens are big numbers in Shayara, if that helps, dearest makers of things. Many of the second- and third-circle houses have colors that echo the primary House colors; these always go darkest to lightest in order of circle.

House Tamra
Color: Green
Animal: Cat
Kithraya: At the beginning of the story, Alanna; later, Julia. The previous acting Kithraya was Jessa.
Traditional gifts: Healing & empathy; the healing gift was more heavily impacted by the Fall.
Legend has it that Tiala na'Roth was the firstborn of the Firstborn; literally, the first Dasaroi ever created. What is certain is that she was the first Kithraya of House Tamra, and therefore the first Lishaya. (The Lishaya is always the Kithraya of House Tamra.)
Other notable Tamrani: Katrianna and Tess.

What it means to be Tamrani.
Character snapshot of Alanna.
Character snapshot of Julia.

House L'Arath
Color: Purple
Animal: Wolf
Invariable physical characteristic: Grey eyes with a border of dark green.
Kithrayn: Jeramie. (1 & 2.
Traditional gift: Telepathy.
It's been said that House L'Arath is the sword of the Talthar Kithrayna, and House Bartomn its shield. The Kithrayn of House L'Arath has traditionally sat at the right hand of the Lishaya; the L'Arathi are warriors in times of strife and guardians in times of peace. (Just, y'know. Not currently, which is its own problem.)
Other notable L'Arathi: Brendan, Jeramie's second.

What it means to be L'Arathi.

House Ziroth
Color: Black
Animal: Snake
Kithrayn: Kristian.
Traditional gift: The old traditional Gift of House Ziroth is telekinesis... for the most part, however, they've thrown over traditional Dasaroi Gifts in favor of ritual magic. As House Tarak keeps the history of the Dasaroi, House Ziroth keeps the magical lore. Zirothi tend to be proud, haughty, and very structured and formal in their mannerisms and the use of their Gifts. They don't play well with many of other Houses, particularly Tamrani empaths and hotheaded L'Arathi, who they tend to regard as childish and undisciplined. (Oh hai technomages.)
Other notable Zirothi: Melina

What it means to be Zirothi.
Character snapshot of Kristian.

House Bartomn
Color: Deep blue
Animal: Bear
Not-invariable but frequent characteristics: Red hair; a more solid build.
Kithrayn: Daniel Halloran. (1, 2, 3).
Traditional gift: Shielding.
As above: It's been said that House L'Arath is the sword of the Talthar Kithrayna, and House Bartomn its shield; indeed, their traditional gift is shielding. Members of House Bartomn tend to be guardians, protectors, warriors.
Worthy of note: House Bartomn is currently a displaced House. The Council took over their territory in the wake of the Purges. Halloran currently likes in the Tower with the Kirayth, and the rest of the Bartomni are scattered throughout the city; many have stayed in the outer regions of Bartomn's territory, but the interior belongs to the Council.
Other notable Bartomni: Fenris, Capri (half-Tamrani, but identifies as Bartomni to start with)

What it means to be Bartomni.
Character snapshot of Halloran.
Character snapshot of Fenris.

House Lhri'nahr
Color: Charcoal grey
Animal: Bird
Kithrayn: Ryan. (1 & 2)
Traditional gift: House Lhri'nahr's gifts are closely tied to elemental magic, particularly earth and air; they use elemental energies and ley lines far more than the other Houses do. Of all the Houses, the Lhri'nahri have seen the least change in their power and how they use it over the centuries. Lhri'nahri can appear whimsical, but are deadly serious when they occasion requires it. They have always allied themselves strongly with House Tamra.
Other notable Lhri'nahri: Lyric.

What it means to be Lhri'nahri.
Character snapshot of Ryan.

House Narsan
Color: Red
Animal: Fox
Kithrayn: Kieran. (1 & 2.)
Traditional gift: House Narsan isn't one of the showiest Houses, but it's always been one of the steadiest and most loyal. The most traditional of their Gifts is communion with the spirit world - not all Dasaroi are reborn, particularly those whose Dasaroi blood has diluted over the centuries. The Narsani are the guardians and guides of these spirits and others.
Other notable Narsani: Alyssa (Kieran's assistant), Victor (of the Kirayth).

What it means to be Narsani.
Character snapshot of Kieran.

House Tarak
Color: Brown
Animal: Spider
Kithraya: Donna.
Traditional gift: The Taraki have an unusual sort of telepathy. They're able to tell not what you're thinking, but who you've been. They can trace your incarnations back to the very beginning, before the existence of Shayara. This makes them the most dangerous House to the current regime (after, of course, House Tamra... which, since the Purges, is no longer a concern). The stronger Taraki, particularly Donna, would be able to tell for certain whether Alanna is, in fact, the true Lishaya reborn. Donna has been known to wonder aloud, pointedly, what they're so worried about. The nature of their gift has made the Taraki the traditional lorekeepers of Dasaroi society; indeed, the stronghold of House Tarak is in the city's library.
Other notable Taraki: Jared (Donna's second); Marina (a medic in training)

What it means to be Taraki.


That's the seven Greats, but there are more houses of note...

House Tallart
Color: Gold
Animal: Horse
Kithara/Kitharn: Formerly Janet; this house is currently under the dubious protection of the Council.
History/gifts: House Telenias (now Tallart) is not a House of the Talthar Kithrayna, the First Circle; it is one of the primary houses of the Second Circle, however (which is where House Tarak started out). They have a small compound within the City, but they're not as closely-knit a House as most, and many of the high-ranking members live outside the City (Martin lives in Las Vegas, Chanda travels year-round). In every generation of House Tallart, there are two who take on the ancient House name of Telenias. The Telenias has a responsibility that is not spoken of outside the House - to bear the memory of what truly happened during the Fall. House Telenias/Tallart does not consistently produce Dasaroi of any known power - they're wild cards, every one different. Tallart is a protectorate of House Tamra.
Other notable Tallarts: Alexander Telenias, musicians Sara and Shawn.

Character snapshot of the Telenias.

House Keleyn
Color: Silver
Kithara: Laura
Keleyn is a protectorate of House Lhri'nahr.
Other notable Keleyn: Joseph, of the Kirayth.

House Aleyr
Color: Pale blue
Kitharn: Janos
House Aleyr has been subsumed into the Council; they were formerly a protectorate of House Bartomn.


Do you guys really need like all the houses? Because I am tired. Please tell me what other info would be helpful, and I shall continue! But not tonight.

By surreal_rebirth - all the colors of the Dasaroi, and then some.

Made with a wool/nylon blend yarn. About forty-five inches long and 12 inches wide. A very wavy, textured stitch pattern. Machine washable/line dry.

Click here to bid!

-------------
Victor sat beside Joseph and Sara on what could only charitably be called a hill - the park was fairly level - and surveyed the celebration. "You guys danced yet?"

Sara Tallart smiled, leaning over a little more - she sat between Joseph's legs, having her light brown hair braided with ribbons of Tallart gold and Keleyn silver. "Not yet. Waiting for him to finish!"

Joseph nudged her with his foot, a hands-free version of a friendly swat. "Your hair gets longer every year, y'know."

"What, you want me to cut it?"

"Hell no." He kissed her cheek as he tied off the braid. "My turn." They switched positions, and Sara began to do her best to sort out his unruly curls.

Victor eyed his handful of red ribbons and looked back down at the bonfire. Dasaroi whirled around it in ancient pattern-dances or in patternless glee, ribbons flowing from hair - every ribbon its own shade of meaning. Sara's ribbons, House colors of her and her partner intertwined in one thick braid, signified that she was married or otherwise very taken. Kieran, on the other hand -

As usual, Victor could not stop watching Kieran.

Kieran was gorgeous on any day, but today - clad in a casual version of his Court garb, intricately-embroidered deep red vest and all - he was breathtaking. Three slender braids in his long dark hair: one Lhri'nahri grey, one in Bartomni blue (causing wild speculation on those not in the know) and one, optimistically, in Tamrani green - green for the lost Lishaya, his kiri'totharan. The rest of his hair hung free, knotted here and there with loose-flowing Narsani-red ribbons signifying his willingness to dance. And he had been dancing for much of the afternoon, slipping ribbons from his hair and tying them into the hair of partner after partner with a courtly kiss on hand or cheek.

Sara nudged him with her elbow. "You should ask him."

Victor laughed nervously. "He wouldn't."

"He might. Victor, you know you're adorable, right?"

Joseph snorted. "Oh, he knows. Trust me, he knows."

Victor rolled his eyes. "Kieran's different."

"Here we go."

"What's the deal?" Sara finished Joseph's braid and patted him on the shoulder.

“He’s my Kithrayn.”

“And that means you’re not allowed to want him?”

“...yeah.”

Sara leaned forward, frowning. “You seriously think that?”

“Well – yeah.”

“Why?”

Victor gestured, frustrated. “He’s… he’s Kithrayna, Sara. They are more than us. They’re next only to the gods.”

“Do you think he sees it that way?”

“I’m sure he does. How could he not?”

“I don’t see how he could. If he did, he’d be insufferable – and he seems like a pretty nice guy.”

“He is nice,” Victor said softly. “He really – yeah. I mean – I’m lucky. House Narsan is lucky. To have him.”

“But you don’t think you could get lucky, so to speak?”

“He’s my Kithrayn!”

Joseph sighed. “Okay. What does that mean to you? Why is it such an insurmountable barrier?”

“Like I said, man. They’re more than us. Almost a different race.”

“Just in terms of the magnitude of their powers, is all.”

“Why would he want someone so… beneath him?”

“Okay, for one thing – you’re not. For another, Kithrayna date non-Kithrayna all the time. There aren’t enough Kithrayna for them to only date each other, after all. And truly, Vic, I don’t think they see people like us the way you think they do. I’ve never gotten the impression that Jana thinks of me as being in any way inferior. And her husband is about the same strength as me.”

“Jana’s different. Second Circle is different. Kieran is blood of the Firstborn.”

Joseph cocked an eyebrow. “You trying to tell me I’m inferior?”

“No! No, man. Just – the seven Kithrayna were first. For gods know how long, they were the only Dasaroi. Who knows what bonds they have? They’re just different. And Kieran… Jana may have married someone not on her level, but Kieran is the soulbonded of the Lishaya. And he’s dating Ryan. Kieran… wouldn’t be interested in some grubby Kirayth kid.”

“If you say so. But I think you should talk to him.” Joseph stood and pulled Sara to her feet; they headed down the hill, toward the fire, half-dancing already.

Victor eyed the little nest of ribbons in his hand and looked back down at the dancers. Seemed like the whole city was down there, having fun - save only Fenris, who hadn't danced since the Purges, and a few other on-duty Kirayth. Save Alanna, the Hounds, and most of the Council. Save one girl in a tower clear across the city. I hope you can hear the music, little one.

She would want me to dance.

Shaking his head ruefully, he knotted ribbons into his thick, wavy hair. He'd ask Leah Tallart for a dance. Perhaps Lily ni'Tarak, too. He scanned the crowd for them as he walked into the thick of things - and was surprised by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Kieran, slightly out of breath, blue eyes sparkling, sliding a ribbon from his hair. "May I have this dance, my ki'anthra?" he asked with a small bow.

Victor answered him with a deeper bow and a foolish grin. "It would be my honor, my Kithrayn."

Kieran grinned and tied his ribbon into Victor's hair. "Oh, good," he purred. He ran his hands through hair and ribbon, letting the ends of the ribbon fall against Victor's neck. Letting Victor feel the cool metal at the end of the ribbon. Kieran's token. Not just a dance, Victor realized. An invitation. "I've been waiting all day for you to put those ribbons in your hair..."



-------------

(Ribbon by charitylarrison.)

SPONSOR ME!

Each of the Houses has a traditional color; this scarf put me in mind of Shayara because it has just about all of the colors of the seven Great Houses, and then some.

Yes, Victor has a bit on a complex about the idea of setting his sights too highly. There's a reason.

One of these days, I'm totally dancing with ribbons in my hair, just like this.


Me: "I am willing to swallow my... whatever. Yes. I am willing to swallow whatever."

There will soon be a video up of me showcasing Elayna's cat's lack of dignity.


Question answered!

I hope this isn't too personal, but as a survivor, what's your personal coping technique?

Hm. It's definitely not too personal, but it's... a very large question! There are so many things to cope with and so many techniques that get used. I could talk about nothing but that.

One thing that was very important to me was dismantling triggers. I did not enjoy the PTSD freakouts. Oh, no. So I examined them, when I was able, and... well, basically took them apart. A combination of relentless application of logic and confrontation self-therapy. One of the first things I did was start walking at night again - I stopped for a long time after the rape, but it was important to me to get that back. Walking is my stress release! So I started taking short walks without my Walkman, in areas I knew were safe. Then longer walks. The I got my music back. And it's fifteen years now, and I have not had any trouble during a walk since.

But it was very much a gradual, methodical process, with that and with working through all of my triggers.

One thing that's really important = talking to your loved ones about this. Because if you have a flashback during sex and tense up and panic... you want your partner to know what's going on. You want them to be able to help you, not freak out because their partner is suddenly having a breakdown. And your loved ones can be a tremendously helpful resource. They want to help you.

And that's a big thing right there: they want to help you. And you are not alone.

Stumbling out of clubs at dawn, laughing, dizzy with the contact high of so many minds having so much fun! Down to the patisserie on the corner, the one that's been there for centuries, ownership shuffling amongst the reincarnated descendants of the original chefs... they know all the old recipes, and have been building on them all along. You get the same pastries you always get, hot spiced baked rolls fresh from the oven, tucked into a little wicker basket with a cloth napkin folded overtop to keep them warm. Off to the chocolate stand for a cup of spicy hot chocolate, and off the the stairs that lead up to the top of the seawall.

You sit on the rough stone, just wide enough for two people to walk abreast - wide enough that you've never been afraid, not even when you were little and your dad would take you up to watch for dolphins. You got cinnamon buns then, but your taste buds have graduated a bit now, and now? Now it's all about the spice rolls, cinnamon and clove and cardamom swirled into the dough, glazed with honey - and there's always a hot sweet pocket of melted spice at the center, and that's what you want, the morning after a night like that. You tuck in eagerly, buttery pastry flaking into your lap, as the sun rises and burns night from the sky - as the night's fog dissipates, rolls back into the sea.

Pastries finished, you cup your hot chocolate in both hands and watch the fog recede. You are inches from the shield, the invisible, almost-intangible dome over the city that keeps Shayara cloaked from the human world. You can feel it - not always, not generally when you go about your day, but sometimes. A low background hum that is felt rather than heard. This close, though, you feel it, and it is warmth and power and it feels like a hug. Quietly, you hum along with it... and then you sing. Wordlessly, notes rising and falling with the frequency of the shield, you sing your city awake.

...this is Telenias before he's the Telenias, before he is pithed and filled with big dark secret ancestral memories; this is when he's Alexander Tallart, archivist and NeoVictorian before NeoVictorianism was cool. About a month ago, he caught Katrina Stone as she stumbled through the city gates, all wide-eyed and new; the Council took her in, as House Tamra is currently under their purview due to the Lishaya not having returned to the city. Here, he's doing a favor for his cousin - as Kithara (female head of one of the lesser houses), Janet really ought to be the one paying her respects, but is currently unable. Alexander is her favorite cousin and is becoming her right-hand man.

#################
He stood before the mirror, seamstress fiddling with his sleeve. He regarded himself gravely. “I’m too…”

“Shiny?” Janet grinned, walking around him, hands resting upon her very round belly. “I like the gold braid. It’s a nice touch.”

“I feel ridiculous.”

“But you look wonderful. A credit to our house.”

“I wish you could go instead.”

She patted her belly gently. “Hey, I’m actually supposed to be on bed rest. House arrest, more like. I get tetchy, wanting to go out and get things done. I’d go if I could.”

“But your midwife would kill you,” he said resignedly. “I know. I’m just… not much for balls. Or any formal event, really.”

“You’ll do fine.” She fetched his mask and handed it to him - pale leather, molded to the contours of his face and lifted in elegant whorls, edged in the gold of his house. He tied it on, ribbons beneath his hair. He looked stiff, formal - foreign. Janet nodded approvingly. “All you have to do is make an appearance. Shake a few hands - all of the Kithrayna, a few of the Council. Represent House Tallart with your usual elegance and dignity. Then go home and relax. So says your Kithara.” She kissed his cheek. “And your cousin. And as your cousin? Try to have fun, Alex. Dance with a pretty girl or two.”

He smiled. “I’ll try, so long as you rest. Take care of yourself.”

“It’s a deal.” He shook her hand with mock solemnity, and she swatted his arm. “Go! Dance!”

###
It was like stepping into someone’s fantasy. Lilting music - he spied the string quartet in the corner. Elaborate dress - ballgowns and waistcoats and everywhere, masks, all proclaiming the wearer’s House with bold color and style, but hiding their true identity. A sea of people that he did not care for. A chore, a favor for poor Janet. He sighed and entered, accepting an offered glass of chardonnay. Fortifying himself for the evening of mindless chatter.

And then, across the room, he saw her.

Her. Katrina. It had to be.

She wore the green of her House, deep bottle-green ballgown, grand and beautiful. Her hair had been artfully piled atop her head, some locks free to cascade down her back and mingle with the laces of her corset, and she wore a delicate handpainted mask adorned with sparkling beads trailing down her cheeks. Her lips were pomegranate-red, but her eyes… her eyes were the same. And he would know her anywhere.

She was with Stephen, of course. Arrogant, petty Stephen, his green complementing hers. His everything complementing hers. Of course they’re together. The Great Houses flock together, and House Tamra the greatest of all, absent Lishaya or no. He did his best to fade into the woodwork. I will put in just enough time to avoid rudeness. Pay the respects of House Tallart. Then I can return to my place.

Oh, this is not my place.

( Read more... )

(Surprise! Shayara bit. I am heavily drugged for sleep. We'll see if anything intelligible comes out.)

"You don't have to love me," Kieran had said, and I didn't know how to deal with that. I'd loved Michael. Still loved Michael. Still turned the corner in my own mind to see his blood spreading across the floor.

But Kieran, his hands in my hair and the gentleness is his eyes - Kieran, so serious. "You don't have to love me."

Kieran who had, after all, been dealing with trauma for years longer than most of them. "Sometimes the only people you can talk to, really talk to, are people who went through the same thing. Or something similar. People who've walked in the dark places."

"It's okay to take comfort in your friends," he'd said. The backs of his fingers trailing along my cheek. His compassion. His passion.

We'd scattered Michael's ashes in the sea, so there was no gravesite to visit to ask for permission. But there was Donna to visit, and when I'd asked Donna, "Is it wrong?" - is it wrong to be with someone else after true love? is it wrong to not make your life a memorial? she had cried, and only then had I remembered Joshua. Her lost love.

"Go to him," she'd said. "Find some joy while you're here. Michael would understand."

So here I am, bottle of wine, hand poised to tap on Kier's door. Not knowing if it was okay to want what I wanted. But knowing that I might break, alone. And that he did not need me to love him.


-----
(brain too fadey, g'night.)

This WTD series was specifically to answer the question "What does it mean to be $HOUSENAME?" My goal was to focus not on the characters of the here and now, but to range back and forth,finding the seeds, the kernels, around with the Houses formed. Not just their Gift, but what that gift means to them. Hopefully, this series both entertained you and gave you a better perspective on the Houses and their Kithrayna.

In lieu of a Quizilla quiz with pretty pictures and all, I give you a basic poll.

[Poll #1183993]


(Also,there are Clues in every single one of 'em.)

(Also also? Read Shayara.)

Okay, now you can pimp. (Please do!)

So what am I doing here?

Originally conceived as a series of novels,then as a comic book, then as a webcomic, Shayara is now something new - it's a collaborative online world. The main story will be linear. Things will branch off of it, stories will run in parallel, and you'll get flashbacks and privileged information off the beaten path. Don't want to explore? Okay. Just read the updates on the main page. Want to explore? There will be layers of story there for you to immerse yourself in.

The collaborative part? Art. Music. All by you,dear readers. lrstrobel has proposed a score; I need to get with him on that. There's currently art up there from aaronace, charitylarrison, haikujaguar, m0usegrrl, team_tim, and thedigitalkuri. If you're inspired, do something and send it to me; I'll put it up and link to your chosen site.

Also, there is a forum! Specifically,there's an in-character forum and an out-of-character forum. Discuss the story, or make up your own character and interact with mine!

My world. Let me show you it.

Donna's Notebook This is our story as I know it, as I remember it. I write this at the behest of Jason; copies of it will be stored in the Library and at the Sanctuary. My name is Donna ni'Tarak, and I am Kithraya of my House. At the time of this writing, I lead the Talthar Kithrayna in the absence of our Lishaya. Some stories begin with "Once upon a time." Mine begins with "I woke up."

Dramatis Personae.

Today's art is by haikujaguar. Thank you, Micah!

We will be jumping into the story on Tuesday. You'll get storybits every Tuesday and Thursday, until the story ends.

Thank you. :)

Requests: "The beginning... when the first stones of Shayara were laid" and "the character who controls time"
--------

My brother and sister are long since gone, abandoning the Dasaroi to their new mortality, fleeing the consequences of the Fall.

I could not leave them.

Our people. Our firstborn children. Even with these atrocities... how can we not love our children? And do they not need us more now than ever?

I have watched their memories fade - their last blessing from my sister. They know that they have lost their immortality, most of their power... they know that they have lost their gods and their grace. They do not know how. They do not know what they have done. They never will.

I have watched them forget me.

I will join my brother and sister soon. I have held the child who will become the second Lishaya; I have kissed her brow and gifted her with just a little bit of memory, just enough so one day she'll know. One day, when she is ready. When they are all ready. One gift against need, against another Fall.

I kneel in the center of the grove; I kneel where Tiala, firstborn of the firstborn, was born, and where she died. I place a small stone on the ground, press it in with both hands, closing my eyes. "This is home," I whisper, power filling my voice, thrumming in my bones. "Always come home."

My words flow through the tightly-woven tapestry of time, from now til the end of the world - my words, my wish, my sorrow, my love. I know that my sister will never return here, and that my brother will return only twice in all of time. I know that I will never be far from here for long.

ki'Lishaya'ra. Home.