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Post by Zugunruhes on Feb 3, 2019 12:26:50 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
... ...
Ferris was accustomed to crafting for a wide variety of patrons, from an old chevalier captain who wanted her merits depicted on a shield to a noble lord seeking swords for each of his young children to grow into. Yet a request from a sanctum attendant was entirely new altogether. At first Ferris had suspected the sanctum's flamen wanted something smithed for one of the Gods, but then she learned the request was personal and for some reason that had intrigued her more. She accepted the offer and had sent a date and time for them to meet in writing.
The day had come and her morning passed like any other. Her home was bathed in golden rays as the sun filtered through the many towering windows. For half an hour she lounged in the pool behind her home, transformed so she could flit through the water with ease. Once her body was relaxed and worries of the previous day had been washed away she returned to her horse form, slipped out of the pool, and dried off in the warm sunlight.
An hour before noon she stepped out into the garden in front of her home and sat down among the floors with her sketchbook. The garden was ringed by a tall black fence- through it she could see the city coming to life from near and afar. Always she liked to start off a day in a creative mind before receiving her next commission, so she set to work stylizing intricate patterns based on the flowers around her.
... ... Word Count: 257 Post #1 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Feb 8, 2019 21:52:16 GMT -6
 A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
Ahsin had been tentative to reach out to the artisan with his request. It was a selfish request, he knew, for someone who had supposedly chosen to devote themselves to the people, to live humbly with few comforts. But he couldn’t stop thinking of his children.
They truly weren’t that far away, but these past few months had certainly been difficult. Solis and Saturni had grown so much in his absence. Saturni was nearly up to his chin, Solis to his withers. The idea of them growing up was a bittersweet one at best. Regardless, he felt a little guilty that he hadn’t been able to spoil them as often as usual. That would change today.
The address was written on a tiny card held aloft in the sanctum attendant‘s teke as he walked, regal and poised, steps as smooth as a snake slithered. He had copied it from the letter the artisan- Ferris- had sent him, alongside the date and time. For a single moment, Ahsin’s eyes skimmed over the letters and his heart skipped with the thought that perhaps he had copied the times wrong. He shook his head. No, no, he was fine. No second guessing today, no doubts.
The unicorn strode down the street to the front gate and checked the card again, steady hooves click click clicking on the ground beneath him. With another brief flash of worry, Ahsin checked his coat pocket one last time to ensure his collection of shards hadn’t been nicked on his walk through town and took in a breath. It would be terrible form to show up without payment.
Reassured, the sanctum attendant shifted and paused at the gate a moment to take in his surroundings. The bits of garden he could see over the fence were beautiful and the smell of their powdery perfume wafted around him, thickening the air with its sweetness.
It smelled like home and with a small smile on his face, Ahsin gently rapped on the gate. Perhaps someone would be nearby to hear him.
WC: 339
Post: 1
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Post by Zugunruhes on Feb 20, 2019 1:28:39 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
Ferris was deeply engrossed in her sketch, having found an odd shape to draw in the spaces between two of the fruiting trees in her garden. When she heard the knocking on her gate she called aloud "Just one moment!" For longer than a moment she dwelled upon the sketches, her gaze scrutinizing and firm, before snapping the sketchbook shut and taking it with her as she rose. The drawing called to her and her teke brushed over the spine of the notebook, betraying her desire to keep working on the piece. That was every artist's curse, it seemed, feeling only a twinge of passion when the moment pulled them away from their work.
Yet an exciting new project was to come. Ferris willed her attention away from her sketchbook as she paced up to the gate and opened it, greeting Ahsin with a slow smile. "Ahsin? I trust I did not keep you waiting long?" Her voice was bright and rich in one, akin to an ember cooling at the forge. Perhaps other artisans made it their custom to have their slaves greet their patrons at the gate and loftily swap titles and family legacies before the real conversation started. Though she offered any nobility respect out of habit of protecting her own reputation, she otherwise brushed aside and poked holes in any formalities that she could. How else could her designs be truthful if her clients were hidden behind formalities?
She gestured for the unicorn to follow her inside with a flick of her head. "I must tell you I was considering taking a short break to focus on personal work when I received your request." Ferris explained, leading them towards a part of the garden hidden from the main road where a table and benches rested on a patio. "The thought intrigued me too much- I've been wondering just what you wanted designed, so I couldn't pass up the offer."
She paused and nodded towards the patio and added, "Do you mind if we meet outside? It's too beautiful to waste the afternoon indoors. And if you need any refreshments or a meal I'll bring something out before we get to work." There were no attendants bustling about to bring drinks or acknowledge a guest's other needs. Whether some of her patrons found it awkward and uncomfortable Ferris did not care- always she provided an easy lie that her art suffered unless she could work entirely alone.
... ... Word Count: 411 Post #2 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Mar 2, 2019 12:07:44 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
A rich flowing voice answered his summons, and Ahsin returned the card into his pocket, waiting patiently for the gate to open. The seconds ticked by slowly and he had just begun to reach towards the gate to knock again when the sound of quick hoof steps trotted up to the gate and it swung open.
The artisan smiled at him, her greeting smooth and elegant.
Ahsin dipped his head and followed the hippocampus as she turned and led him deeper into the garden. “Not at all, not at all”
Lifting his head to observe the various plants and greenery around them, Ahsin kept quiet as Ferris continued the conversation. He was content to let his host take the stage, she seemed used to it after all.
He let out a small chuckle and moved towards the table. “Ah, I agree. The sun’s rays always warm my spirit after a long walk.”
Under usual circumstances, Ahsin would never ask his hosts of anything, but the walk was long and rather dusty, and Ferris’s hospitality won him over in the end.
“I could not possibly ask you for a meal but if it is not too much trouble, a small glass of water would be wonderful.”
WC: 205
Post: 2
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Post by Zugunruhes on Mar 18, 2019 18:32:33 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
“Very well, I’ll be back in just a moment.” The hippocampus slipped off, cutting a quicker path through the sprawling gardens back to her, and returned a few minutes later. A tray was carefully balanced by her teke, upon it resting two glasses and two small, carved pitchers. Despite her many hours working a forge with heavy tools, her touch could be just as graceful as though she was handling a new sleek blade. Ferris set down the trait carefully and served the two glasses- one pitcher held the water for Ahsin, but the other held a sweet juice for her, betraying her fondness for sugary treats. Around the forge, sweet teas and pastries were quite the staple for the blacksmith’s work.
She studied Ahsin for a moment as she sipped her drink- it was not rude nor uncomfortable, but instead accompanied with a slow, soft smile. “Where were we…? Discussing the nature of your request? Now, tell me all about it!” She set her notebook on the table along with her pencil, ready to begin drafting the ideas he had for her. Sanctum attendants gave most of their day to the Gods and the sanctums, and in the past when she had taken an attendant’s request, it had turned out to be out the whim of the flamen- a shield depicting tales of old. Flamens and their attendants intrigued her, for they were among the few citizens she met who seemed to want something for others more than themselves.
Absentmindedly she began tapping her pencil against her notes and a thought came to her- she spoke up again before Ahsin had started and amended, “And it will help if you tell me what the piece means to you- Over the years I’ve learned to turn down requests for a ‘pretty sword’ or ‘ornate shield’ – the object I create should have a story of its own, otherwise it will not mean anything for myself or its new owner.”
... ... Word Count: 328 Post #3 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Mar 25, 2019 20:01:59 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
The unicorn paused a moment, the glass of water cool in his teke.
“What it...means to me?” He echoed under his breath before allowing himself a quiet exhausted sigh. “Where would I even begin?”
Under Ferris’s gentle gaze, Ahsin seemed to have aged a thousand years. The markings beneath his eyes became tired bags and his eyes seemed less vibrant than they had before, like a candle about to go out.
“It is a long story and not a particularly happy one,“ he cautioned, “but I suppose...”
With a quiet clink, Ahsin took a sip of his drink and gently set his glass down on the table, allowing his guard to slip ever so slightly. Something about the artisan was comforting, familiar, even. He felt as though he could trust her.
“My request is somewhat...difficult to articulate, so please excuse any rambling on my part.” He offered an apologetic smile. “I recently lost someone very dear to me. A few someones, actually. You see, I used to be a slave trader and I worked mainly with younger children, teaching them and housing them until they grew old enough to work by themselves.”
Ahsin paused and when he spoke again, his tone had shifted. His words became wistful and mixed with something else, a much more complex emotion.
“I grew rather attached to a few of them and took seven of them in as my own children. I had raised them from just tiny little things. Nothing but skin and bone before they came into my care. I taught them to read and write and they were so intelligent. Children after my own heart.”
He lifted his head, a sad look on his features. “No doubt you can assume what happened next. The crown took them and in the confusion, five of them, they-“
For the first time in a long time, Ahsin’s voice caught in his throat. It surprised him, the tightness of his chest and the tension in his jaw.
The attendant took another breath and continued before his lapse in formality became too obvious. “They... died. I managed to regain two of them before the crown had worked them to death, but they miss their siblings dearly.”
”In truth, the commission I desire from you is rather... complex. Of course, you are free to turn down my request if it proves to be too extensive, but rest assured, cost is no object. Whatever you require as payment, I am willing to provide.“
Ahsin lifted his cup again and drank, peering at Ferris from over the rim.
“I have come to ask you for a set of eight matching daggers. One for each of my children and one for myself. If at all possible, I would also like them to be personalized in some way. Unique to one another, but still...united...”
Ahsin trailed off, having said all he had needed to say, and looked back to Ferris, wishing upon his lucky stars that the blacksmith would accept his offer. A very close friend had recommended the blacksmith to him and she had assured him that the hippocampus loved a good challenge. God, Ahsin hoped she was right.
WC: 530
Post: 2
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Post by Zugunruhes on Apr 6, 2019 10:52:32 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
Ferris' searching gaze was one of cool intensity, as though she meant to draw a story from Ahsin like a sword pulled deliberately from its sheath. Yet her expression was not marred by judgement, and instead reflected patience. Some patrons took many days to reveal their stories, as if coming to terms with something they had not had the chance to express aloud. Yet of all things she had heard before, she was not expecting what Ahsin would say next.
A slave trader? At once she mastered her emotions, subduing rippling tides of anger. Not a trace of her discomfort flitted through her features- years of politics within the upper social circles had made her a master of guarding her emotions. Despite the fire stoked inside her, outwardly she offered nothing more than an encouraging nod.
As for the project- uncertainty at first stilled her words. Many a horse purchased trinkets and baubles for their slaves. Ferris always turned down those requests without hesitation, and was easily able to explain how a commission like that held no personal value as to her reason. Yet this was... honoring those children's memories? A thought hit her then.
I can honor their memories, as a symbol of protest. That the fight is not over.
"I am sorry to hear what happened to them. I will admit freely I am one of the many who did not agree with the Crown's decision that day." Her feelings on the matter were different from most Aodhians who had stormed the streets. She had felt rage at them too, for protesting a lost of property rather than the cruelty of their culture. "I will take your request. Admittedly I figured you wanted a piece done to represent the Gods. This intrigues me- to make a set of daggers similar yet unique."
Her pencil hovered above the sketchbook in quiet anticipation, as Ferris studied Ahsin once more. "The most difficult part of this project will come from you, I think. Can you tell me more about each of the children? Whatever comes to mind- " Her statement was inviting conversation for she wanted each dagger to truthfully honor each individual. Yet she was also very aware that she was pushing Ahsin, as if trying to evoke a response- how did he feel about his past actions now? About the slave trade? She felt as though she was looking into the eyes of one who had once helped perpetuate the culture she longed to destroy.
Word Count: 414
Post #4
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Post by hydrus101 on Apr 16, 2019 17:38:30 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
For the first time in a long while, Ahsin’s eyes brightened. It was subtle, no more than a gentle flicker, but it made all the difference.
“Of course, of course,” he murmured, pausing for just a moment to look around the garden and collect his thoughts.
“Like I said earlier, I had taken in seven of them. Saturni, Solis, Lunae, Veneris, Martis, Jovis, and Mercurri. Saturni is my oldest,” Ahsin began, watching a bird as it flitted overhead. “He is a beautiful little colt with a red coat. A hard worker, always eager to please, a quiet and strong little thing, though I suppose he is not as little as he used to be.”
Ahsin chuckled, recounting his memories, “He has a real talent for the sciences, chemistry in particular. I had thought it would be a good skill for him to have, maybe it would to catch the eye of a buyer, but it never came to that.”The unicorn shook his head. “He seemed to enjoy it at the very least. Whenever I taught them, he would always have so many questions. ‘How did this happen?’ ‘How did that work?’ All sorts of inquiries and I did not know a lot of the answers. Ah, but he was resourceful. He would come to me the next day, having scoured the library for hours until he had found his answer. We both learned a lot together, I suppose...”
Ahsin paused again, as he had before, returning to an eternal conflict he’d been fighting for years. He wanted to tell her that the red colt was truly a son to him, that he was no slave, but that was ridiculous, wasn’t it? A slave could never be elevated to that status, to that of an true Aodhian. He knew it, but refused to believe it. Ahsin was too empathetic and became attached far too easily to what was supposed to be property and he knew it. Was Ferris a safe person to express this to? No, no, of course not. She was an Artisan for pity’s sake, she was influential, he was a mere Sanctum attendant. If he spoke too openly, would she oust him? What would happen to the sanctum, his sisters, his children?
Peace, he told himself, a Flamen’s words echoing in his ears. He had hardly known her for more than a few minutes, it was too soon to tell. Far too soon. He would learn more in the coming weeks, then he could judge.
Cautious, he glanced up at her, then at her sketchbook. Did Ferris need more information? This was a personal request after all, something deep and meaningful, but Ahsin was already feeling his guard start to weaken, though he tried not to show it. His control was not as refined as the artisan’s, even after all these years.
He brought his gaze up again, an unsteady inquiry. “Is...is that enough? I can continue if it would help any.”
WC: 506
Post: 4
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Post by Zugunruhes on May 22, 2019 0:50:16 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
At once she began to scribble down notes and add small, stray doodles alongside them. Flashes of inspiration came to her as Ahsin mused over each of the children- a symbol for a sheath, a pattern for the dagger blade- and yet as she wrote her mind was split. A wave of sadness washed through her and did not settle- it remained taut and coiled ready to be released as either passion or anger. Her anger had to be channeled- an outburst concerning her feelings for the slave trade was dangerous and would easily destroy far more than just her reputation as an artist.
She did listen intently, despite the muddled feelings and thoughts whirring in her own head. "That will do for Saturni. I think I can put carvings onto the blade that represent a curiosity for knowledge... Did you ever worry when he asked so many questions?" The question slipped out so suddenly before she realized that she was probing again. Slave traders did teach their slaves numerous skills to appeal to potential buyers, but independence and resourcefulness was not necessarily prized. So why did Ahsin let Saturni learn freely?
"That is, some consider a well-educated slave dangerous depending on the circumstances. But you wanted to encourage his talents?" Her tone was not attacking, far from it, and she did her best to keep her tone even as though she was still asking for the purpose of the dagger's design. The network of smugglers and their allies was so well hidden that even those like Ferris who pledged great devotion and resources to the cause were still kept from knowing who was involved. Was she speaking to an Aodhian eagerly supportive of the slave trade, or one who harbored feelings of regret like her for once perpetuating their culture?
... ... Word Count: 302 Post #5 |
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Post by hydrus101 on May 25, 2019 11:10:13 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
Ahsin nodded his head slightly, the heavy arc of his horn dipping up and down as if afloat on a wave. “That is always a danger,” he murmured, “but, no...no, I was never worried. I treated them well, something my mother never approved of, but they had no reason to want to escape or cause me any harm. Not that I know of, at least.”
He shifted, a moment of tensity digging into his tendons then releasing as quickly as it came. Ahsin spoke again after a moment, his voice taking on that wistful, mournful tone again.
“I suppose I was trying to keep their minds busy. They were just children after all, they needed to have something to do, something to touch and pull and break apart.”
“I am not sure what I was thinking to be honest. My colleagues always told me I was too soft on them, gave them too much. I suppose he was right, but... I could not refuse someone who wanted to learn, slave or not.”
Ahsin sighed. “They all had such unique talents as well; you know of Saturni already. My dearest Lunae had a knack for gardening so I gave her a trowel and a space in the garden and off she went. You should’ve seen the size of those strawberries she grew without the aid of any blessings...”
“But I am rambling again,” he said, cutting himself off with a shake of his head. “I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to an old man grieve.”
WC: 259
Post: 5
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Post by Zugunruhes on Jun 3, 2019 23:44:47 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
She blinked and nodded impassively, the simple gesturing hiding the myriad of emotions between the surface. No matter the amount of education or lavish decoration given, under her government and the majority view a slave was always lesser than a citizen, always as the whim of another being. The only true kindness was to free them- this Ferris fervently believed.
Looking away for a moment, an odd glint in her eye, the hippocampus added "Education encourages independence. It's an invaluable gift." Her pencil slipped from her teke, clattering against the table, and brought her quickly back into the present. She scooped it back up and swept her gaze over the paper, finding another open spot to start on concepts for the next dagger. Notes for the first and a few sketches were already scrawled out. As for Lunae- Ferris immediately envisioned carving flowers, fruits, and twisting vines into the metal.
"Please, tell me as much as you need," She prompted, before turning the paper over and scooting it towards him so he could see the ideas coming to life. "Why did you leave the life of a slave trader behind, rather than continuing your tutoring with others? Continue that work?" Ferris wedged the question in artfully, her tone still conversational and light.
... ... Word Count: 214 Post #6 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Jun 9, 2019 13:19:12 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
“Truthfully, there were simply too many memories,” Ahsin murmured, as he looked down at the sketches.
He smiled again. They were all so beautiful. Effortless strokes paired with a practiced grace resulted in a perfect sketch. It was exactly what he’d wanted. He looked over the page again and again before reluctantly handing it back to Ferris. He placated himself with the thought that soon he would hold the real thing in his teke.
“My mother, Ignacio bless her soul, introduced me to the business,” he continued, “but after she passed, it was hard to keep it running smoothly just by myself. After the satellites were taken from me, I just...it became too much to bear alone.”
Ahsin sighed, watching beads of condensation drip down his glass. “I had the barracks destroyed and sold off the few slaves I had left, save for Saturni and Solis of course. I know it seems silly, but it felt wrong to replace them.”
Feeling his guard slipping, Ahsin hastily added, “After all, if I had taken in new ones, I would have had to start all over with their training, which would put them at a different learning level than the others. The whole ordeal was just a bit of a mess. I have found the Sanctum suits me better anyway. I can still teach at the very least, and being close to the gods helps soothe my soul.”
He looked up at the artisan, fixing her with his steady gaze as he took his turn to ask her a question.
“Are you religious by any chance? I do not mean to pry, of course, simply curious. ”
WC: 291
Post: 5
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Post by Zugunruhes on Jun 24, 2019 0:10:16 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
For a brief, fleeting moment she gripped her pencil harder than she needed to- her emotions betraying her outward expression. In her mind Ferris was running through, trying to imagine as she heard more about the children, what it was like in their minds to have gone through the same tragedies. How terrifying it must have been. Did he think about it too- was it really only the difficulty of teaching new slaves the only reason he did not continue his old habits? She wanted to pry, to find some commonality; the subtle admittance that the slave trade was horrifically wrong.
So deep in thought, which was now clear on her face, she was caught off guard by his question. "Am I?" The question stalled just as her pencil hovered above the paper. How could she express her mind without seeming insensitive and aggrieved. "My mother always felt a natural affinity towards Cascade, but I suppose I have not seen myself in that Goddess. My grandfather hails from Onea, but my own father never spoke to me much about Kaia when I was young. With a love for the forge and a will to prove myself I suppose Ignacio always resonated with me."
She began to gesture with her pencil, as though it was at first a flame at the forge, and then a sword coming to life. "At the forge I feel his presence in the flames and I used to see him among Valore. I thought I did. I don't know if I understand his vision of Valore of the late." It was a bold sentiment, but who best to share it with than a sanctum attendant. Was it not their way to provide guidance without judgement? After all, how could a God cherish a society like theirs where happiness and liberty was at the price of others?
... ... Word Count: 310 Post #7 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Aug 23, 2019 19:46:02 GMT -6
A H S I N• Aodh | Sanctum Attendant •
“I once would horde children like pretty trinkets to show the world. I would polish them till they gleamed, but in their brightness I saw only misery.”
Ahsin nodded sagely as Ferris spoke, listening along as she put her feelings into words. He could practically feel the complex thoughts pouring out of her very being, rolling and cascading down like a wave. Religion was always complex, but it was a surefire way to see deeper into someone’s soul. It was a touchy subject for some, Ahsin knew that much, and he didn’t want to pry. Yet, her reaction intrigued him.
“Sometimes a god’s wishes can be misinterpreted by their mortals,” he remarked carefully, looking back to the garden’s wall. “Despite what they are truly saying, we mortals often hear what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear, and a god cannot always step in and voice their true intent.”
“Perhaps Ignacio intends for Valore to be in a transitional state,” he mused, turning back to Ferris with a tiny smile. “Like a caterpillar in its cocoon. It still has much time left to grow and mature into something beautiful. We cannot judge it based upon its ability to fly before its wings are ready.“
He closed his eyes for a single moment, almost as if sending up a brief prayer to the heavens before speaking again.
“It is good that you can see him in your forge though. Having something constant to represent a god’s presence in one’s life is always important in faith. The Palasa Sanctum is my constant just as your forge is yours. We all have one, wether we know it or not.”
WC: 253
Post: 6
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Post by Zugunruhes on Sept 8, 2019 20:01:22 GMT -6
Ferris
Artisan | Blacksmith
......
His response caught her off guard. It felt as though he too was implying that something was wrong with the herd they both cherished. Coming from a horse so much more connected to the Gods than she, Ahsin's reflections on Ignacio sent a spark of warmth through her. Even if at times her world felt stagnant, there were still forces at work impassioned for change. Perhaps those horses were the only ones fulfilling Ignacio's intentions? She had to believe that a god wanted a better world for all, not just for some.
"That is where the source of the conflict is, I think. Those of us that want change will for it all to happen now. They cannot wait. The others fear the thought of any change at all and cling to what they know, insisting our herd would be different if the gods wished it to be." Ferris did not meet the unicorn's eye for a long moment, her gaze flickering to her notes and over the dagger designs she had started to sketch for him.
"I, for one, am one of the horses that wish for it all to happen now. I consider myself patient in most respects- smithing is only something an inept apprentice would rush through - but for all other matters I am growing restless." She was now meeting his eye steadily, as though finding a new courage to voice her thoughts. Things she had kept hidden for months among her close friends and family. This horse had been a slave trader, yet she was determined to understand how he felt about the slave trade at the present and so far her opinions about him were already changing leaving her confused yet wanting to know more.
... ... Word Count: 290 Post #8 |
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Post by galekxy on Oct 7, 2019 8:24:21 GMT -6
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