The Palace of the Cursed discussion

Found on the second floor, this is the series of rooms where they keep the very young Cursed. Since most parents call the Snatchers as soon as the child is born or shows sign of being Cursed, these rooms are always full. Don't worry though, the gentle, older Cursed love taking care of the babies and everyone is happy and cared for.

As the walked along the hallway leading to the Nursery (evident from the crying and laughter and gentle sounds echoing through the hall), Zibiah thought of how best to answer Leah. As they walked side by side, she slowed her pace, forcing the older girl to also slow down. 'Well...It's just, when the guards asked my name I got scared. Some of the other kids used to call me Rasha when we were playing and didn't want anyone to know it was us. So when I panicked....That was the name I gave them. Now, I'm afraid that if they learn I lied to them they will get angry.' Zibiah said quietly, blushing in shame and embarrassment, yet fear still evident in her chocolate eyes. 'I want to tell them, they all seem so nice, but I have to be sure they will only call me my true name when none else is around. I don't know them well enough yet to be sure of that.' She said in explanation.

Leah didn't really get it, but she understood not knowing who you can trust. "Okay," she said, "It is your choice." They walked into the nursery, and Andi was instantly besieged with small children, laughing or crying, it was hard to tell who was who.
Rosie carefully batted her wings, and a couple of the younger children, attracted by the luminous colors, crawled off of Andi and over to her. Leah giggled and picked up the little girl tugging at her skirts.
"Children," Andi said, "This is Rasha. She's going to be your new friend. Can you all say hi?"

((Sorry LJF!! Life has been full of ups and downs lately and I completely forgot I hadn't messaged you back. I am sooo sorry!! Please forgive my humble apology!!))

Zibiah sighed in relief, smiling genuinely at the older girl and giving her a quick hug just before they walked into the nursery. She was immediately assaulted by so many different sights and sounds, but it was a good thing and she quickly found herself smiling. The whole room was filled with bright colours. Everywhere from the walls to the toys to the bedsheets was covered in bright colours and evidence of children. The few older Cursed that looked up when they walked in had smiled gently at Andi and the others and waved before turning back to their charges, some no more than a few months old. It was a nice, happy place. It reminded Zibiah of the clan gatherings, when all new children were presented to the clans for everyone to celebrate the joy of life. The children would play together amoung the sand dunes, and the colourful tents, their happy squeals echoing for all to hear. No matter where you go, it seemed, children will be children. All of Zibiah's new friends were evidently loved here, but none more so than Andi. It was obvious the children adored him, and she could understand why. When Andi introduced her, she smiled and waved slightly, hoping that her strange facial markings and especially her long horns wouldn't scare the children away.

(No problem- Surprisingly, I am human, so I get it.)
Leah smiled inwardly at Zibiah's shy awkwardness. One of the little ones toddled over to ZIbiah and said "Can you read me a story?"
(sorry it's so short!)

((Thanks hun!!))

Zibiah blinked a little in surprise before grinning happily. 'Sure s'thandwa. What story would you like?' She asked the little girl. holding out her hand for the young Cursed to take. Shooting a smile over her shoulder at Leah, she gestured slightly with her horns, the universal equivalent to 'wanna come?'.

"Hey guys," Leah called to the children, "Rasha's going to read a story. You want to hear?"
All the children who could walk, toddle, or crawl quickly headed over from where they were gathered around Rosie and Andi and ran over to the story corner. It wasn't often that anyone (even Andi) offered to read them all a story, so they were on their best behavior.
Leah Smiled and nodded encouragingly at Rasha.

Zibiah's smile got wider as all the children laughed joyously and ran over to the corner of the room before sitting down silently and looking up at her with happy, expectant faces. Picking up the book that the little girl gave her she settled down and opened it up to the first page. She was a little nervous but Leah's encouraging nod gave her confidence and so, she began to speak. Just like my second gathering! She thought to herself, briefly looking back on her history fondly before focusing on the story. Her people didn't have books filled with their history and traditions, their stories and songs. Constantly travelling around their desert home in small tribes was not productive to written text. And so, they passed on their knowledge, their history and traditions, verbally. This made her people great story tellers and she was no different. By the second page she had them all hooked, painting a picture in the sky with words and imagination. Zibiah had them laughing when she laughed, crying when she cried, all of their emotions and minds linked by her words.

Afterwards, they went back to the kitchens and baked the cookies- which were a big hit. Leah smiled, watching Zibiah bite into one.
She knew the new girl would be just fine.
(You want to end here?)

((I don't mind. Usually my rp's don't really have an end but if you want to end it here then I'm fine with it. Your choice!))

THE END

((Cool!! Thanks for that, it was fun. If you want to rp again, just give me a shout!))