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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:13 pm
Table of Contents Table of Contents Current Things Danika History Family/Friends/Foes Beast Companions Rps & Plots Inventory & Photos Reqs
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:15 pm
❦ ✽ Current Things/Updates ✽❦
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:16 pm
❦ ✽ Dani ✽❦
Name: Danika, "Dani" to those close enough. Race: Alkidike Personality:Shrewd, Assertive/Willful, Benevolent, Unpredictable (Always creative/full of new ideas)
As a youngling Danika was a shrewd child who would use any trick to get out of studying so that she could sneak and play. However, as she grows while there are still occasions that she uses her abilities to sneak away for a break the woman now mainly uses it to help her people. Her ability to notice auras and helping Alkidikes bloom is spectacular, if not a bit awe-inspiring for those watching such a young mystic grow so quickly in power.
Despite her growing maturity Danika still has that spark of fire in her chest. She's a very assertive mystic who places her opinions firmly out there and believes in taking care of things herself. She hates thinking that she's sheltered or pampered and would much rather grow to be able to fight alongside her sisters. Patience is a hard virtue to acquire and she still struggles with it day by day as her desires to act now continue to push her forward. She’s still that idealist who would rather do her hardest to find a way rather than simply saying something is impossible.
That determination is a part of her benevolence because despite her rather unpredictable and strong personality -while growing up as the hope of others is that eventually years will turn her into a more serene woman- the girl does care deeply for others. Her spirit is golden and she would gladly do her best to help out her sisters in any way that she can. Perhaps this is partly to blame for her antsy feelings growing up as she would rather do and learn than sit and listen. Finding new ways to learn and to find out all the paths for her sisters makes her more accepting of the recent changes happening in the world including the introduction of hybrids in her kind as more alkidikes find mates outside of the sisterhood. Especially now in a time of darkness Danika cannot fathom why earthlings and Alkidike would spend time to fight with each other when the Dretch exist.
Her path to trying to create a more open world between Alkidikes and earthlings has taken a twist as Danika's goals right now are the survival of all against the Dretch. Her hope for peace is only spreading and she just prays that Aisha can give her the strength and guidance to pull through to others....perhaps even those sisters once lost....
Description Because she is a mystic, Danika was born with unique markings that are slightly faded compared to her sisters. Many of which are circles or spots scattered across her skin. At first she was more petite than others her age, but has recently hit a growth spurt and stands surprisingly tall. Training with the blades has also made her body much leaner - far less softer and less rounded than her apprentice days.
Often enough she wears more decorative clothing and beaded accessories while often having a headband to keep her dreads away from her face.
Favors: Listening to news of the outside world, helping Eshe, nurturing lotus blossoms, Trees, music, walking rather than sitting to meditate. She still enjoys mind puzzles, but often worry stresses her to the point of pacing and training now more than sitting still. Truly some challenges may make her flustered, but even more determined to solve them.
Some quirks Taps her fingers along her hips now while listening to others speak (before as a youngling she would simply try to wander away out of boredom of 'adult' talk, but now pays attention with quite the keen mind while her antsy feet have settled into tapping fingers) enjoys climbing to high places, treats all trees as if they were living creatures as well, speaks out loud to Aisha often when wandering alone, and will tend to sing/hum when worried.
Before the Dretch came around Danika seemed far more carefree than others and would simply play and dance in the rains (she still enjoys the rains, but has a more somber look about her so far less dancing now).
That piercing gaze of her's has yet to change and in fact as she grows seems to become even sharper as it peers into the hearts of others.
More Recently
Becoming more involved as a novice mystic was not the only thing to cause Danika's playful antics to still - no, the arise of a great darkness is what truly bothers her heart. The woman is conflicted still between her desire to fight alongside the warriors and her duty as a nurturing mystic.
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:16 pm
❦ ✽ History/About Mystics✽❦
A new bloom?
Questions and surprise flickered around the alkidikes as the news began to spread. While typically a happiness would be about the appearance of another bloom while a young mystic was still around made the elders wary. Did this mean that something was going to happen to Eshe’s current heir? What was Aisha’s intent in allowing such a bloom to flourish so early? Had the extremists somehow startled the tree in producing a new bloom just in case? No one not even the elders or Eshe herself could truly understand the mother’s intent.
Still, no one could deny the love that they had for the small child who bloomed.
Danika, however, was just a youngling who didn’t fully grasp why everyone held her birth in awe. What made her so different from others? The girl truly didn’t wish to sit still nonstop while repeating the strange lyrics of an ancient language over and over nor did she fully comprehend all the whispers of importance and possible danger. Because of this it was no surprise that she tried to be shrewd enough to do her lessons quickly while finding every opportunity to try and sneak away from the island – something that while plotted a lot in the youngling’s mind never truly flourished in life. Yet the simple questions of a youngling would continue…why not play? What was out there beyond the waters? Did she truly have to stay and do all these things? Why was it so boring?
One day she did find their backs turned just enough so that she could go and exploring. Not that she did manage to truly escape, but it was this one time that the waters touched her waist. Quickly enough the girl found herself being scooped up by an upset Eshe. And it was that day which the girl saw the mystic’s true concerns for her – something that would make her be a bit more patient to sitting through a lecture that would hopefully further her understanding of her importance to this world. Afterwards she still had antsy feet, but Danika did have such a bond with the older mystic that Eshe’s presence would calm her and allow her to focus. Even Danika didn’t know why but this woman was to her a mother – no one else could calm her or make her listen the way that Eshe could. And it was under her tutelage that the girl would come to fully bloom as a mystic in training who not only quickly learning all three languages, but also progressing early on towards learning the ways of the lotus blooms…
✿Mystic Information✿
General Mystic Information Every so often, perhaps 30 or so years, a mystic is born. Mystics are born from a lotus like all other Alkidike, but are known to give off a small aura that sets them apart from the other lotus flowers around them. Eshe, as the current mystic of the Alkidike was taught by her predecessor what to expect from a mystic lotus. The appearance of the lotus is the same, but with the given aura of the flower it is watched over and cared for carefully until bloom. The Alkidike mystics, while most look exactly the same as normal Alkidike women, are known to sometimes be born with lighter markings, a sign of their potential to become in tune with Aisha.
A similar phenomena has been discovered with Elarian mystics, as the Matron has discovered with the recent bloom.
Mystics are taught at a young age to speak three languages: the common language of Tendaji (that everyone speaks), the language of the trees (which only Alkidike know), and the language of the ancestors (known only to the mystics born into Tendaji). The Language of the Ancestors is a deeply rooted language used when performing rituals and addressing the Mother and is something of a very close secret. Even the elders of the Alkidike/Elaria do not know how to speak it and rarely anyone will hear it aloud. It is one of the main studies of the mystic in training from a young age and is mastered around the age of 6 (it is one of their only studies until learned properly).
From the point that the mystic learns to speak the Language of the Ancestors, they sit in on the current mystic’s rituals and duties and watch. When they reach their prentice age, typically 13-16, they will begin to join in on the rituals in small ways until they eventually participate more and more and handle it themselves.
Along with handling rituals, mystics learn to use magic in battle as well, such as water, fire, air, etc. They can choose to focus more on damaging or healing spells, though they learn to use some form of them all.
The mystic’s job duties include caring for lotus flowers, ‘birthing’ new sisters from the lotus, preparing the child to be received by the mother(s) (which includes checking the child for health, cleaning her, and swaddling her), speaking with the Great Mother and the ancestors/fates when the species face some sort of difficult time (doesn't happen often, but includes famine, war, natural disasters, etc.), sitting in on council meetings as the Voice of The Great Mother, and becoming a council for sisters that require it (such as leading them to the Great Mother to plead for children, acting as medic for the sisters, and finding homes for children who have no family to go to).
When a mystic reaches around 30-40 years of age, a new lotus will begin to bloom with a replacement mystic and the cycle will begin again. There is a point of time when there will be two mystics on the island, sometimes even three. When there are three, typically the oldest has already stepped down from position and will live her days as an elder and Matron. Two mystics are uncommon, but not unheard of.
Mystic Abilities Mystics are the "Voice of The Great Mother" but they don't actually hear words. Instead, they are given symbols, messages, that they interpret. These messages might be in the form of a breeze, or a dream, but they are never 100% clear. It is up to the mystic to learn the communication style of the great mother to best interpret, and this skill is a slow developing one.
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:17 pm
❦ ❀ Relations ❀❦
Family
Friends/Foes
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:17 pm
❦ ❀ Familiars ❀❦
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:18 pm
❦ ❀ RPS/Plots ❀❦
Youngling
Plot Points: Meeting both Tyiva & Taka who will become part of her special "eyes"
She can also have various piercings - Earrings, belly button, brow piercing, or even a nose ring. Mostly any jewelry she would wear is typically subtle with tribal inspirations or lotus in the design. CC.
Weapon Custom Master Sacred Dagger - Take inspiration from these [handles] with the [green glass daggers] for her custom blades. CC on exact design with the Display of Power for light magic.
Body Type: Similar to how it is now, lean muscle with curves. Preferred Artists: Scar, Miss, or Flan (Colors: Tasi, Phieth, or me) WIPs: Sure~
Prentice Growth Form
Character Name:Danika Class Promotion: Novice Mystic (Mystic) Current Location: Chibale Journal:[x] RP Growth Point Links: 25/25 [Solo 1] (859) [Solo 2] (2209) [RP w/ Tyiva] - 5 pnts [Solo 3] - (1519) Total Solo Points (6,167 wc) = 20 points
Class Affinity/Choice Solo:[Solo 4] - 1580 Class Quest Solo:[x] Items: Comb - Style her dreads slightly like the first image (they have like a twist in their design rather than simple straight dreads) with some sort of headpiece. CC on exact design.
Change of Clothing x 2 / Dye x 5 / Metal Bands x 2 / Fetish x 9 / Necklace x 3 / Shoes (optional prefers either anklets or barefoot) / Sewing Kit x 2 / Dancers Ribbon x 2 / Gloves (Feel free to charge extra if anything else is needed!)
Outfit: Something tribal like that is fitting for a mystic. So feel free to be as creative as possible and have fun! Also feel free to use anything from her previous stage, like necklace / beads.
Here are some inspiration pieces. *I really like the dress/top from [x2] but if it's not tribal enough then feel free to use the others more* Colors of course to be tans, greens, some teal maybe (even have dye if cream can be added into the color choices) [x1], [x2], [x3] and [4], and[x5].
Sacred Blades
Body Type: Rather curvy and tall. Preferred Artists: Flan, Kana, or Miss WIPS: Sure. ^^
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2016 6:35 pm
❦ ❀ Youngling Solo 1 - Climbing ❀❦
This was their language. Danika stared at the elegant writing which she had created in the sands. Did any of it truly make sense? The young alkidike squinted her pure black eyes before reaching out a finger to cross out the words she had worked so hard to create. In a sense some of it resembled the common tongue she heard whispered across Tendaji while the other seemed more natural, more guttural as she reached out to touch a lingering tree branch. Can you truly feel me? She whispered the words in the language of the trees before taking a small step back.
Her mentor had wanted her to sit here and meditate, but Danika was feeling far to restless. Why couldn’t she play? All this learning was giving her such a headache! It made the youngling’s face scrunch up in protest before she tossed her twig towards the ground. Enough of this! Shaking her head ferociously the girl only paused so that she could survey the area. Her mentor had been grabbed away in a hurry – something about a bloom needing a blessing – and Danika had taken the chance to dart beneath the trees. Could she find some sort of amusement today? Her little hands reached out towards a tree with hope. It was one of the many which guarded mother Aisha and she prayed that the bigger tree wouldn’t mind that she was distracting a guard with her own antics.
Surely her mother would understand. How else was a youngling to grow unless she explored? Danika’s small mouth twisted upwards into a smile, “Yea.” She nodded as if to confirm the fact. After all one of her lessons was that nothing could be accomplished on the first try! And how else was she to become a strong warrior woman to help her people if she just stayed in the roots of Aisha all the time? Oh great Aisha! What if the mother’s roots just took her back one day since she would mold with the ground from staying so still? It was the thought which caused the alkidike to wrinkle her nose. Nope, nope! She was going to have none of that!
In fact, it was that thought which encouraged her to reach out a slender arm towards a hanging vine. She could use these and leverage her way across towards the higher branches. There she could play and perhaps not be so quickly dragged back to studying! Burrowing her brow in concentration Danika reached out and with a surprisingly strong grip managed to grab onto the vines. She could use this to move from branch to branch! Ahah! Now that was something! Grinning from ear to ear the youngling wiggled her feet until she had the gumption to leap. Admittedly it did take a few tries as at the last second she would back away and stop in fear…which was totally natural right? It’s okay to be afraid at first…but true courage is to overcome such things. At least that was what an elder had told her once before. And rather than playing on the lower levels Danika had decided to brave higher areas.
So now it was time to test it. Could she be brave? Swallowing Danika slowly nodded her head before reaching out the final time. She would use this and jump across to the higher branches! If she turned back now then what type of warrior would she be? Her little heart racing the youngling closed her eyes in a quick prayer before jumping with the vine’s help. Hanging there she kicked her legs until the vine swung towards the branch in question and with one hand her fingers touched the smooth surface. Almost. Her feet kicked out once more as she finally managed to grab the branch with both arms. Oh! Her heart was racing in her chest as she fought to wiggle her way into a more comfortable position.
She had done it! Taking a deep breath, the little lkidike glanced around her. So this was what it looked like to be tall! The thought was enough to make her laugh as she stayed there with her legs dangling off of either side of the branch. It was so pretty. Oh! She could see mother in the distance as well. It was almost as if she were glowing…maybe she even was. Danika’s smile grew as she leaned forward on her perch. This was the first time that she actually had managed to see the great tree in its full picture and in fact it was rather awe inspiring. If her mother was this amazing, then what of the rest of the world? The youngling blinked thoughtfully. Surely nothing could be more amazing than this. Truly nothing else could be! This was her home and since she lived here it was the best place ever! Her mother always attracted love and attention as well with her presence…it was just so serene. So definitely there was nothing to beat Aisha!
“Nope.” Danika settled back into her perch on the indigo branch as she glanced over what she could see of the island. It still wasn’t the best image, but at the same time she was seeing much more than what anyone on the ground -especially at her height! - could see. It truly was amazing.
But there was one more question…
How was she going to get down from here?!
(WC 910 - 3 pnts)
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:59 pm
❦ ❀ Youngling Solo 2 - Playing in the Sands ❀❦
The skies were pretty this morning. The youngling stared up towards the heavens which still were dusty from the night’s caress while the brushes of gold intertwined with those dark interlopers from the evening skies. The great fiery orb in the sky was rising and she loved how its warmth slowly seeped over the landscape and bathed everything in its golden rays. In fact Danika crouched low against the ground as she watched as one stray ray slowly expanded over the sandy terrain of the beach. One hand stretched out as if she wanted to reach it before she paused. What if it ran away? Could the sunlight even do that? Once she had tried chasing the beams through the trees but it seemed that the wind had kept making the beams dance around her. (Honestly it was probably because the shadows from the trees kept moving with the wind moving around the branches and leaves, but the girl was far too excited about the prospect of living sunlight).
So it was now that she crouched there while studying the beams. Next to it the sand in the shadows seemed so dull and quiet while the ones absorbing the light seemed to glimmer and sparkle. It truly was pretty! Ever so slowly she curled her little fingers back into her hand before glancing around shyly once more. Were any of the elders watching? Blinking, Danika glanced around once more before she dug her feet into the sands for support. Once that was done the girl placed both of her hands on the ground before her. The sand moved up between her fingers and squished a bit but that only brought a small giggle from her lips. It tickled! But she couldn’t deter from her mission now!
Lips pursing Danika’s butt went up in the air and wiggled just a bit – as she had seen a radaku pup move before pouncing – and then she pushed off from the ground. Leaping forward she tumbled when she hit the ground and scattered sand all around. In her mind she was fighting a great battle while in all truth the girl was just reaching out her arms and trying to grab what she could of the sand particles which glimmered in the air around her. Oh! There went one towards the left! Her fingers reached while grasping nothing, but she wasn’t deterred. She would continue to pounce the glittering sands and try again. Eventually she would wear out, but for the next few minutes the girl would find amusement in trying to catch what she could of the sand explosions she continued to create.
Laughing, Danika sprawled out as she hit the warm sand. Lucky for her the morning sun wasn’t enough to make it steaming hot just yet! Currently it was a nice warmth which seemed to radiate around her. It almost felt as if she were nestled in the great roots of Aisha. The thought made the youngling close her eyes with a soft sigh. It was truly relaxing. She could just sleep here…the sounds of the waters lapping against the sands threatened to truly lull her to sleep with their lullaby while the gently sounds of the forest behind her also proved to be a comfort rather than a disturbance.
And in fact for a little bit she did find herself falling asleep.
But her sleep was all too short as a gentle touch on her shoulder caused the girl to jump with a start, “Eh?” She gasped before glancing up in a pair of familiar black eyes.
“Danika, you can’t sleep here. It’s time for lessons.”
Letting out a sigh the youngling slowly nodded as she was helped up and escorted back towards Aisha…
(624 – 2 pnts)
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 3:48 pm
*⚘.❀ Apprentice Solo 1 - Faded Dreams ❀.⚘*
Danika attempts to meditate and instead has a strange dream.
She was learning more and more every day.
Today, however, Danika was being forced to relax in a quiet area. Meditation, Eshe insisted, was key to learning more about how to understand Aisha. Such a demand was hard for the girl who often kept on the move and never stopped thinking. How could she clear her mind? Just sitting here by the tree roots was making her legs go up and down in impatience. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and ugh. She peeked open an eye to glance around. She had been left alone since others would distract her and that made things very tempting.
Sneaking away after all was her forte.
Sighing Danika pushed away the temptation and began to try again. She could do this – she just needed to focus. Maybe even thinking about all the letters and such that she had learned as a child and repeating those basic lessons in her mind could help her out. Or wait? Wasn’t that making her even more distracted once more? The apprentice leaned back her head in frustration. How could she get a message this way?! Once more Danika looked around before finally standing. If she had to meditate then she would pick her own calming environment rather than sitting here by the trees. Her mother had long roots if she wished to reach her then she could do it wherever she pleased. That much Danika was certain of as her belief in Aisha stretched far and was strong.
So she made her move. Slipping through the denser parts of the forest, Danika dodged branches and jumped over roots until finally she saw a familiar area. A clearing that touched a small pool of water. Out here she could relax in her other favorite element. Slipping free of her outer layers the girl touched a toe into the waters with a smile. If she couldn’t keep her body still on land, then perhaps the effort of floating would be enough to satisfy her body’s demands for movement. That was her hope at least.
Slipping into the cool surface Danika found herself floating on her back. As the waters lapped around her the girl focused on her mind. If she just let her mind drift like the drifting waters then perhaps she could get somewhere? It was frustrating, but she had to try something. And oddly enough every moment that passed she found herself relaxing more and more. Soon enough the Alkidike’s mind stilled and she found herself drifting away.
It was more like a dream though. She was racing through the forests and found that there was something different. She wasn’t alone? Danika’s feet balanced her on the thick tree branch that held her high above the ground. Around her she found vines that she brushed away. Was she standing on Aisha’s branches? Mother? Danika’s brow furrowed as she touched the bark. Oddly enough it felt warm and she could almost believe that it was pulsing like a heart. It wasn’t a creepy feeling, but a comforting one – almost as if she were touching Eshe’s own arm for comfort. How strange it was.
But then she found her gaze twisting away from the tree and towards the forest floor. Another girl was there? Who could that be? Had Eshe joined her somehow? Was that possible? But that wasn’t Eshe, right? Who was it? Curiosity tugged at her gut because the girl felt so familiar to her. “Hello?” Danika opened her mouth as if to speak, but the words were swept away by the wind -as was she. When she saw the girl turning as if to look her way Danika slipped from the branch.
And fell and fell.
Until she found herself splashing in the waters. Oh! What was that? Shaking her wet dreads the girl coughed. Had she simply fallen asleep? Was that just a dream? Her antenna flicked in frustration at the thought. Surely it had to be a dream because she would never imagine some strange girl in her forest, right? Frowning, the young mystic stood and waded through the shallow waters. Next time she would see about finding a new place to meditate and try again. For now though she hoped that she had at least accomplished a bit of something by stilling her mind enough. Even if she had fallen asleep instead of seeing a vision it was better than losing herself in her own thoughts as she often did.
She would just keep this dream to herself. The last thing she wanted was to be lectured about how she not only failed at fully meditating, but also slipped away into the waters to try. Water was probably not the best place to meditate in. Danika flushed at her own decision. At least she had been wise enough to try in a shallow water. It wasn’t like she had gone to the ocean to float away forever. Though it felt like maybe a part of her had floated away and that her mind was still somewhat distracted by trying to figure out exactly why she had such a strange dream.
(859)
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 6:20 pm
*⚘.❀ Apprentice Solo 2 - Rites of Passage ❀.⚘*
Danika reflects upon recent news and decides that she would like to learn more about the world. That desire however evokes a lot of questions about her own self and the future.
Resting up in the high branches of one of Chibale’s many great trees, Danika thoughtfully tapped a piece of parchment against her chin, “Tyiva.” The name was a whisper which reluctantly left the girl’s lips. While Danika had not been able to leave her home on Chibale the young mystic had instead found a friend who could. It was Tyiva who she had asked to go towards Sauti in order to experience the grand market which the mystic had heard rumors of. It was there that she hoped her friend could tell her more about the interactions of earthlings, from simply how they lived to if they even seemed fit for battle. What she had instead discovered was definitely ground breaking – a new race.
Or technically two.
Danika stared at the crude sketches on the parchment in her hands. Tyiva had described the one girl as pale with brilliant orange hair and green gems while the other had pale green hair and chocolate skin. Yet, that wasn’t so startling to a girl who barely knew much about the other earthling races. Shifters she had glimpsed on occasion through Jahaur and Danika found their shifting skins fascinating. Others like the pale Sauti man from her youngling days had been seen only on those very rare occasion when a sister would request a baby with an earthling mate. There’s still so much I don’t know about. Danika trailed a finger across the earthling’s face. How could she lead unless she knew what she was leading her people against or even for? She was especially confused by those who opted to not only take on an earthling lover, but that also took their children and themselves out of Jahaur to live in some foreign land. Was love such a powerful thing? Or better yet what did they see in the strangers that was so attractive? Alkidikes were a proud and noble race – Danika could imagine no better lovers as well. The earthlings were so small and so different in many ways. Some didn’t even fight! Nor did any hear the mother speaking to them. It sounded like such a hollow life to not be able to hear Aisha. That was one reason that Danika was so thankful to be a mystic. One day she too would be able to receive messages from her mother and through those help shape her people’s future.
Once more the questions from her younger days came to haunt her. Why had she, another mystic, been born? She was earlier than expected and it had originally sent worry through the sisters. Did her arrival mean disaster for another mystic? Was the arrival of these strangers a forewarning of another great war? Wuold sickness and bloodshed take away those dear to her? Danika had only prayed it was not the case. Aisha was wise, surely she had another answer than death for the creation of Danika. The last thing the young mystic wanted was to lose Eshe who was a precious mother to her. Just thinking about the thought made her heart clench in pain. She wouldn’t know what to do. How could she live without Eshe’s guidance? Or her comforting words and encouragement? Surely Aisha was not so cruel to take away such an important sister so early.
For reassurance Danika’s fingers reached up to touch a branch lovingly, “I suppose you can’t tell me Aisha’s will, can you?” She smiled sadly as she caressed the rough bark with her fingers. In truth, all trees she felt a deep respect for. They were just like sisters to her – immobile, but great in power with roots that reached farther than what most realized. Some days Danika even felt more connected to them. In Chibale she was similar to a tree, rooted in place to provide the nurturing that her sisters needed. Even if she couldn’t move her eyes, her roots would stretch far throughout Tendaji and reveal hidden truths. Still she couldn’t help sighing. Was she that valuable to have been allowed into this world by Aisha? Truly she didn’t feel like it. She had the markings yes and felt connected to blooms, but other than that she lacked in a lot of things. Compared to Eshe she was just a bud, one that still had yet to show much promise in this world.
Then again she could remember being a youngling…. how often did Alkidike sisters bow to her when they visited? Or how others seemingly cried just by seeing her before them? Or even more recently how touched those lovers appeared to be when their beloved lotus was presented to them? And as she grew even the elders seemed to bow their heads towards her opinions. Something which had halted Danika’s tongue as of late. What if she suggested something wrong? Could she bear to think of her own opinion as more valuable than those with years behind them? What if she said one misleading thing that led to more war? Or that got others who were innocent in trouble for something?
No pressure right?
Eshe had always told her that she should value herself more and to learn to respect what the world would mean to her one day, but it wasn’t until after seeing the reactions of the visitors to the tree that Danika had begun to truly see that meaning. The thought made the girl’s cheeks flush lightly. Why her? Once more the memories of those whispers haunted her. Whispers that her early arrival meant the departure of another mystic from this world…
She feared those whispers. Others may not have thought much of them as of late, but for Danika they were haunting. Once more she imagined what it would be like in a world without Eshe. I’d rather not be born if it means Eshe is safe or that the others are as well. It was a guilty thought, but the one who she saw as her mother held her heart more so than most. What would she do without her guidance and love? Though Aisha was a comforting presence on Chibale, Danika was spoiled with the presence of another Alkidike with whom she could interact and fully converse. Taking that same woman’s place in the future was scary enough, but imagining a life without her made the girl shudder. She refused to believe that disaster would happen to Eshe or the others! “So why Aisha?” Why now? Was it because of all the changes in their world? With new outsiders appearing the more Danika began to wonder – did they truly know enough about those they held themselves over?
Suddenly an amusing and insane thought crossed her mind. “Did you need someone who was bold enough to go out and inspect the world for you, mother?” Quipped Danika lightly before shaking her head – surely not. She knew her place and even though she had once hated feeling so isolated as a youngling on this island the girl saw it as her home now. It was a place she cherished and refused to abandon. Still, wicked thoughts did tempt her. Wouldn’t it be nice to go out and see what others saw for once? Deserts, mountains that touched the skies, great waters that went on forever, snowy lands, sandy plains…all things she could only try to imagine. I’m jealous – they see me as something fierce and hold my existence in awe while I’m actually in awe of their lives as well. It brought a small, amused smile to the girl’s lips. Was that just how fate worked? One was always jealous of something else that the other had? If she had been born a hunter would she admire and wonder, why she wasn’t a mystic?
“I suppose then I shouldn’t question my role.” She just wished that she could venture out -just once even!- and see this world that others spoke of. Tyiva’s recent news too brought more curiosity out of the young mystic. What of that Belrea? Surely they needed to know more about this new country in order to ensure peace. After all, wouldn’t building more bridges between her people and others help with creating a solid peace? The thought made her frown slightly. No more worries about having wars because of extremists emerging once more in her people…blood could be spared and love could flourish. They could help shift the world into this new direction, but more understanding had to be found first between the races. Could a mystic go out and do that for her people?
We are needed to tend the blooms and speak Aisha’s will. She quoted silently as she gazed around. Unless Aisha gave the Alkidikes another mystic who was too early to take over yet not so young as to not do her part for her sisters. Perhaps it was not that they had to be wary of losing a mystic, but rather open to having a mystic who could explore and return home with hopes of a better tomorrow. “Have you had enough of bloodshed? Is that what you are afraid of mother?” Memories of a faded dream crossed her mind. Who was out there waiting for her? Had those alkidikes been those banished years ago? It was true that the extremists were still Aisha’s children and while they were gone others could possibly emerge if they didn’t learn first. Was that the threat? Then more fighting and more lives would be lost – both of the earthlings and of her sisters. It was a terrifying thought for Danika who wished to allow all life to flourish. Couldn’t there be something done to help ensure peace? To even try to talk to those lost in hate? But she knew that she could never go out there. It was far too dangerous and to lose her would be to risk another war. If she were to die by anyone’s hands or even if an accident were to occur in any outside country then her fate would be to bring more bloodshed. Danika didn’t want that and she knew her mother didn’t want that as well.
Closing her eyes Danika leaned back against the sturdy base of the tree. She would have to meditate more on this, but a faint idea was blooming in her mind. She had sent Tyiva out already, right? What if she did not physically go out but instead had close friends whom she trusted to tell her the truth? Sisters who were willing to take risks and find out about the earthlings and even maybe one who could go and visit these new countries. Through them she could learn more about the outsiders and then perhaps find more about Aisha’s will. They were a proud race that was for certain, but perhaps pride wasn’t only shown through blood and wars – could it not be by standing up proudly along with others of this world rather than trying to force dominance? Guardians rather than conquerors… Was it possible?
Was it possible to become guardians? Could they learn how to become guardians of the world who rather than dominated other lands just stayed true to themselves and their own? If so then they could guard the world and help guide others in the right direction… As Aisha directed. It was definitely a lot of thoughts running through Danika’s mind. So many what ifs about the future of her own race and that of the world’s. It was daunting for certain, but the girl couldn’t help dreaming. She had to find a purpose after all that could coexist with her other sisters as she truly did not want to think of her birth as a harbinger of death for those already blessed as mystics. She just wished that Aisha would send her some sort of sign. Something to tell her what to do.
But after seeing and hearing about so many mixed couples Danika was beginning to realize something -
True strength comes from the heart and not simply from the fist.
Danika let out a soft sigh, were there Alkidikes who would remain true to her enough to do such a request? But she wanted to learn. Even if she couldn’t leave herself she would see the world through others, through different ‘eyes’. She wanted to learn about all the earthling races by experiencing their countries and their ways. If Aisha wished for a mystic to know of the world she wanted to protect then how could Danika deny that? It was scary, however, to think about the task that would make for her friends. Others like Tyiva were experienced with fighting and had weapons to protect themselves so surely she should not worry so much about them. Danika, however, had a gentler spirit and was more apt to heal another than to inflict an injury. But perhaps there was even a reason for that. Had Aisha wanted a gentle spirit, a leader who could opt for peace and resolve conflicts? Wasn’t that what could help this world best in a time of crisis? If such a danger ever did loom again then Danika could only pray that Aisha would give her the strength and wisdom then to do what was best.
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Name: Danika, "Dani" to those close enough.
