The Palace of the Cursed discussion

Found on the second floor, these are the rooms where everyone can come and lounge around, chat, play a few games and basically have fun. Mostly occupied by the teenage Cursed.

Zibiah had followed her newly acquired friend from the East wing through a series of corridors until they reached this room. Even with the big oak doors closed, noise still filtered through. Leah had already explained that this was the recreation room, where lots of teenage Cursed come to chat and have fun away from the guards. This was subsequently where they were meeting Leah's friends. Zibiah was nervous but excited. She twisted her long sleeves anxiously as Leah pushed open the heavy doors. Zibiah was still wearing her tribal clothes and hoped that no one thought she looked strange. The Sefna tribes wore layers of long, thin fabric to protect them from the scorching sun yet keep them cool. Zibiah herself was wearing billowy trousers that tightened at the ankles (to keep sand out), a long tunic that reached her knees, a scarf wrapped around her waist as a belt, a long scarf wrapped around her shoulders and another scarf for her neck. She wasn't wearing any shoes either but that didn't seem to matter as much here. Following Leah, she looked around at the wood stacking things lining the walls (bookshelves), the big soft sitting things (couches), and strange contraptions strewn everywhere (games), and most importantly, the multitude of people lying around, laughing and talking. Grabbing Leah's sleave, she tugged until she got the older girls attention. 'Don't tell them my real name. No one else knows. Just call me Rasha for now.' She told her, trying to sound strong and not pleading.

There they were. Leah walked over to them, Zibiah following her.
"Hey, guys," she said, "This is is Z- Rasha, a childhood friend of mine She just got here last night. Rasha, these are some of my friends."
"Hi," said a winged girl who looked about ten and was pruning some plants, "I'm Rosemary, but you can call me Rosie. I'm fifteen."
"Rosie is like my sister," Leah explained, "We're roommates."
"I'm Andi," said a boy with soft white hair and furry ears, "I'm eighteen. You just got here? Are you okay? I know it's a little overwhelming, but-"
"Andi, chill," said another boy, with a quirked tail and pointed ears, looking up from his book, "You'll scare her off. I'm Felix and I'm fourteen." Then he went back to his book.
"Is Jackie coming?" Andi asked.
"Of course not," said Rosie, "She's off playing sports with the boys."
"Remind me of the plan, again," Leah said, a little worried about Zibiah, "Rasha doesn't know what we're doing."
"Oh, right, sorry, Rasha," Rosie said, "See, the food they feed us here is like slop, and Andi thought-"
"That the little kids might like to have something yummy for once. So we're going to bake cookies and stuff. You want to help? Can you bake?"

Zibiah gave Leah's odd assortment of friends a shy wave and small smile as she was introduced, pleased that Leah had remembered to call her Rasha. Rosie was a year older than her and seemed sweet. She was evidently a butterfly and was as beautiful as Leah, though in a different way. Their personalities meshed and she could see why the two would be friends. Even though Andi was 18, he could almost be classified adorable. Zibiah could sense his gentle healing soul and liked him instantly, even though his questions were a bit overwhelming. She quirked a smile as Felix mirrored her own thinking. He was 14 like her and had a quiet nature, that much was evident. The cat seemed content to just watch things play out with his keen eyes. Zibiah didn't know who this Jackie was but it seemed like her vibrant outgoing nature would bring an extra element to the group and 'complete' it. Zibiah hoped that they would have room for one more member. Although she was initially wary, she liked these people and wanted to make friends. Only one taste of being alone and already she hated it with a passion. Perking up at the mention of a plan, Zibiah frowned, Leah's worried face making her nervous. As Rosie and Andi explained, she couldn't help but smile. Sure it wasn't great that the food here was disgusting, but the very fact that these people wanted to make something nicer for the kids showed their good natures. Zibiah really liked them and was pleased to have met them. However.....could she bake? Now that was a question. 'My umama taught me how to bake over an open fire and on stones warmed by the sun. I assume it's not the same here, but I can give it a go.' She said with a smile, determined to learn and help with the plan.

"Alright," said Rosie, "It isn't like it will be hard to teach you- we're just baking sugar cookies."
"Ooh, that's right," Leah said, "Did you get the sugar, Andi?"
"Yeah, it wasn't too hard to strike up a deal for it."
"Andi's pretty good at bribing the guards," Leah whispered to Zibiah, "He's the one a lot of people rely on to get contraband- like sugar."
They headed over to the kitchen, where all the baked goods had been set up. Leah noticed thatsomeone (she wondered who) had left some cinnamon powder by the ingredients. Mmm, cinnamon-sugar cookies.
They started to prepare the ingredients, Leah explaining to Zibiah how to do each step.
"Hey Felix," Andi asked, "Did you bury the ice?"
"Yeah."
"They all went to bury the dough (which had been sealed in some kind of wrapping). As Leah explained to Zibiah, " The cookies come out better if you get the dough really cold first. Besides, the old coal oven need a lot of time to heat up. Felix volunteered to watch the oven and get them when it was time to bale the cookies- in about an hour.
"So," Leah asked Zibiah, "What do you want to do now?"

Zibiah smiled at Rosie in relief, glad that they were willing to teach her. She giggled lightly at the thought of sweet Andi bribing the guards and trading in 'illegal' contraband. Evidently there was more to this boy than meets the eye. Zibiah felt another surge of nervousness as the approached the kitchen, which was full of strange and wonderfully complex contraptions, however she ruthlessly squashed it down. Turns out, preparing cookies wasn't actually as hard as she had expected, though that may have been because of Leah's patient instruction. She liked working along side the others, hearing their chatter and laughter. It was soothing and she felt involved. Thus, when they explained that it would be another hour before the cookies were ready to bake, Zibiah couldn't help but cast her eyes down and bite her lip. She wanted to stay with them, but wasn't sure what they would want to do in the mean time. Hearing Leah ask her instead was like seeing the sun rise at the beginning of a day, warm and glorious and full of promise. Smiling, Zibiah quickly thought, unconsciously fingering the long leather strap/necklace around her neck burdened with things like a claw, a lizard skull, a few beads and crystals etc. 'Would it be ok if you gave me a tour of this place? My run this morning didn't help to clear things up and even now, I am hopelessly lost. I would like to avoid another morning like that if I can help it.' She asked shyly, giggling a little at the end, eyes hopeful.

"Oooh, fun!' Rosie said.
"Alright," said Andi, "Where to first?"
Leah looked at Zibiah, glad she was getting along with her friends.
"We could always go to the library, first," Leah said, " We all like reading. Z- Rasha, can you read Aidenese?'

((Can anybody join in your fun? lol)

(i prefer not to have more than 2 ppl in rp. Heather?)

(Hey don't worry about. I was just asking and all. Go have fun. *grins*)

Zibiah grinned, pleased that they were going to come with her. However....what was a library? And why were they asking if she knew how to read Aidenese? Mentally shrugging, Zibiah just answered truthfully. 'I can read. Not very well mind you but ugogo thought it would be a good skill for me to have, especially when I take her place as Path Finder. Umkhulu, our Star Watcher, agreed. Though.....what's a library?' She asked curious, trying to push aside her embarrassment at having to be taught what was evidently basic knowledge here.

((I'm sorry LJF, but Zibiah was made so that anyone without someone to rp with could join in. That was a condition I made when I created her. I know you don't prefer it, but one more person won't hurt eh? Dionne, if you still want to rp, you are welcome to.))

(okay, but preferably with an order- otherwise, it gets confusing, and people get get out)

Leah laughed. "A library," she explained, "Is a room where books are housed. Some are dusty old tomes, but most of ours here are for pleasure-reading."

(Nah, I can wait. Though Zibiah sounds like she would be interesting to rp with.)

((Thanks! And don't worry LJF. I would make sure of that. And are you sure Dionne?))

'Ohhh!' Zibiah exclaimed, trying to imagine a room full of books but failing. Books had been a rarity in her life, but at the Gatherings, there was always an old woman who would share her books with the children. Zibiah had always loved it and was excited to know that there was an entire, stationary room full with these marvels. 'That sounds amazing! Can we go there? Please!!' She pleaded desperately, eyes shining with joy.

Leah smiled, happy that Zibiah was so excited.
"Let's go!" said Rosie.
(Post next post in library)

(Yes I'm sure. Of course Leah sounds like a fun character to rp with too, LJF,)

((If you're sure! And ok LJF, to the Library!!))

Zibiah had left the kitchens with Leah and Lo a while ago but both had things to do so they soon parted ways. It was just after lunch time now and the gazelle girl found herself sitting in the recreation room, watching some of the younger Cursed play. Siting alone on a weird soft mound (bean bag it was apparently called) in the corner Zibiah fiddled with her bone, gem and feather necklace, thinking. Other than Leah, Leah's friends and Lo, she hadn't really met anyone else. If she was going to be stuck here she should probably meet knew people...

Levi had left the twins alone in their room and walked down to the rec room. It rare for him to do so since he hated the noisy children but sometimes he couldn't help himself to watch and wonder. His wife was heavily pregant when Levi was away helping his brother with the twins and working on a tapestry for the local lord. He came to the palace before even finding out if his child was a boy or girl, let alone finding out if they were cursed. Which he doubted because his wife wasn't here as a guard so his child was safe with her. He liked to watch the kids and think that one of them could have been his and he not know it. He scanned the room looking at the older kids before spotting a new face or well new curse marker. He saw a girl with large antlers on her head. Curiosity was not normal for him but he felt it was best to talk to her anyway. He might even be able to convince the twins to make friends with her so they had someone else to talk to. He let himself stroll over to the girl before speaking. "I haven't seen you around here. Are you new?"

As she watched the kids, movement from the corner of her eye distracted her. On the other side of the room there was a man, another Cursed, watching the kids as she was. He was short with pale skin and jet black hair, his eyes soft and sad as he watched the kids laugh and play. Everything about him was sad. It was like she could hear the pitter patter of rain just looking at him. It also felt like she was intruding on something private, although she didn't know what. Looking away she gave the sad man his privacy, eyes back on the children. She could feel it though when he noticed her and when he approached her. The sadness was gone, replaced instead by a mask of cool, polite curiosity that was clear when he spoke. Zibiah looked up in surprise, somehow shocked he had actually spoken to her. The rain drenched sadness seemed to be gone now, instead covered by the brisk chill wind of night and the strength of thunderclouds on the horizon. It wasn't often she could relate a person to nature, but this man was a thunderstorm through and through. Dark and mysterious, with a cool intelligence that was like the wind. A hint of electrifying danger in the air, that could pass you by or strike you down. The torrential downpour or slow trickle of rain fuelled by grief. There was also the silent calm before the storm, the warmth that came after, the fun of dancing in the rain and hearing the thunder crack. The bright white of lighting and the smell of ozone and petrichor. Zibiah liked him immediately.
'Relatively new I guess.' She responded, smiling up at the older man, somehow feeling safe with him. 'Been here a few weeks. My name's Rasha.' She didn't want to use that name, wanted to follow her instincts and trust the man. But she knew better

"The guards call me Captain. When no guards are around you can call me Eren. Are you in the east or west wing?" He asked keeping a blank face and flat tone. "More importantly has anyone shown you around?"

Zibiah blinked a little at his first sentence, curious about why in the world the guards would call him Captain. He was a Cursed so he couldn't be their captain. Maybe he was the captain of a ship or something before he got sent here, though his pale skin made that seem very unlikely. Although very curious, the young girl got the feeling it wouldn't be good to ask so she let it go. Focusing on the rest of his words. 'Its nice to meet you Eren. I'm in the west wing because of these,' She said, hands going up to her smooth horns, 'But no one has really shown me around yet. Not everywhere at least.'

"I am also in the westwing. I live across from Huntsman and Snow White you may have been around when the everyone found out about her injuries. Would you like for me to show you around?" He asked being sure to mention the twins on the off chance they would come down.

Zibiah's mind immediately tried to figure out what the male's guardian spirit was, but whatever it was it didn't show any visible traits. She wondered what it was that made him dangerous then....
She nodded at his second sentence, curiosity burning. She had indeed heard of them, though nothing concrete. Just whispers and gossip, about how the girl was now blind and that it was because she and her twin were both fighting in something called the Tournament. Anyone she asked always shied away from explaining what that was so the gazelle girl still didn't know. The only thing she managed to get was that it, and the twins, were very dangerous and to stay away from them. Zibiah didn't know why and didn't really like that so she had vowed to approach the pair just like any other if she ever met them. Though that was doubtful since she had also heard they were recluse and only ever came out if the snake boy that was friends with them made them. She had seen him around a few times and always wondered how someone that was smaller than her and looked so dainty could be friends with two bulky dangerous Cursed. And even more so how he could get them to do things. Maybe Eren would know!
'Yeah sure! That would be so good. Thank you.' Zibiah said, excited to be shown that kindness. Maybe she might make a friend out of this encounter!

"Well this is obviously the recreation room. You would know about the mess hall or cafeteria what ever you want to call it and the main entrance. Down the hall is the libary. It's reasonably stocked with books, of course if you can read in more tounges than common the better quality book you will find. I can give you a basic look around the libary show you how its set up or we can head to the bath house which is down stairs." Levi offered he rarely talked this much but if any guards spotted it they would know he's just showing someone around. "May I ask what your cell number is?" He asked leading the horned girl outside into the hall.

Zibiah stayed quiet as the man spoke, nodding in all the appropriate places as she stood up. Being relatively tall and Eren being relatively small meant they were about the same height, although her horns gave her a good 30cm more if they were counted. The gazelle girl quickly followed Levi as he wandered towards the hall, still talking. She got the distinct impression the male didn't talk much so Zibiah didn't want to miss a word. She was also weirdly certain he wasn't the type to take kindly to those who didn't listen.
'I had a quick look around the library a few days ago but I have never seen the bath house. If its alright with you I would like to see it.' The girl said with a shy smile. 'As for my tent, sorry, room number, I believe it was 36.'

((I can't remember my own numbering system! So I made it up))

((Im going to the bath house))