Who

Zisiene

What

2015 Game Vig Challenge Those were happier days.

When

Any given summer afternoon at Igen (Apologies now for the vague)

Where

Ravene's Bakery and Sundries

OOC Date 17 Aug 2015 04:00

 



Ravene's Bakery and Sundries

The murmur of voices fills this space as people gather for the unique breads, and pastries that Ravene's is known for. The counter with its glass display is once again filled with freshly baked pastries, breads, and bubblies. The smell of klah fills the air, and escapes out into the street along with the smell of the freshly baked breads. Stews have been added to the seasonal menu, and are served in bowls made of bread. There is a sign that lists the prices of the items for sale, or for those not able to pay, a list of chores that can be done in return for a good meal. (OOC- Ravene can be NPC'd by anyone within the Bakery proper if she's not online. Just please don't cause her any lasting damage or harm. Just please let me know if you've bruised her, or caused her to have a minor burn.)


Zisiene stands in the middle of the dining room. The people have long since fled from the heat of the day. Memories from long ago flood back, and she finds she must sit down. Her eyes close as she remembers what little she can of those early days as Ravene's fosterling.

When had the last time she ate anything been? “It'll be okay Zisi. I swear, it'll be okay,” Egbert's voice sounded from a distance, she didn't really have the strength to open her eyes. He'd always been there. Protected her, made sure she ate before he did. His words echoed back at her from that long ago time.

“You always did,” Zisiene whispers in the silence of the bakery she once called home. Once loved to be a part of. Still those memories wouldn't let her go. They weren't finished with her. Not yet.

How long had he been gone for? Time had started to lose meaning for the girl a while back. She sat huddled under the ratty awning where she'd been left, eyes closed. She was so cold. She had lost enough weight she could no longer retain her own body heat. It was gone faster than she could produce it, “Zisi?” scared. He sounded so scared as he said her name, “Zisi, come on. I have an idea. I'm so sorry I didn't come back right away. I got caught, but I think,” his words faded into a comforting buzz of noise as he helped her to stand.

They didn't have far to go. Egbert was soon holding her in a manner that told her she needed to muster the strength to stand mostly unaided. Zisiene never quite understood how she managed, but she did, “I caught her in the stores. She was trying to steal some bread,” a light shake was given to her arm as her brother spoke. That shake, light as it was, almost sent her to the floor.

The woman, slender with dark hair and eyes, stared at her for a moment, “She looks half dead from hunger, Egbert. Take her upstairs, then run and fetch a healer,” the words were kindly spoken. A sound she couldn't remember having heard in her whole life. Maybe once upon a time, but not in recent Turns certainly.

“It's going to be okay, Zisi. She'll let you stay once she knows you're my sister. I had to pretend you were stealing. It was the only way I could think,” Egbert whispered as he carried her through the bakery. The smell of all that food made her stomach cramp, and she groaned with the pain of it, “I know, but Ravene's a really good person. You'll like her,” this said as he carried her up the stairs, and finally tucked her in to a cot, “I'll be right back. Ravene will probably be up soon with some broth for you. I'm so so sorry I didn't get you here sooner,” the words are spoken quickly, and then he's gone.

She didn't know how long she'd slept, but when she woke Zisiene didn't feel so hungry. Her stomach didn't hurt from the pain of being so horribly empty, “Good you're awake,” the woman from before sat in a chair next to her, “I'm Ravene, since you clearly can't do anything we're going to get you well. After that you will stay here, and you will attend the harper's classes. In your spare time you will do small chores around the shop,” the woman smiled at her, and Zisiene knew right then she had a home, “But before any of that, we need to know who you are?” of course Egbert had already told Ravene who Zisiene was, but the girl didn't know that.

“I'm Zisiene,” she answered in a weak voice, “Egbert's my brother,” that was about all she'd had the strength for. Ravene nodded, “I know. You rest now,” and the baker left her to sleep again.

“I miss you so much,” Zisiene whispers into the empty space of the room she is in. The tears are ignored as the fall softly from her cheeks. Those pesky memories not done yet.

Time passed as it is want to do, and before long Zisiene was running around with the other kids her age. Classes were dull, but there was always coming home to look forward to. Egbert continued to protect her, continued to look out for her whenever he could, but he was starting to get into trouble more and more. Eventually they left the bazaar, when they returned it was without Egbert. It wasn't until she saw her brother in the bazaar that she even knew he'd returned to Igen, “Egbert!” she called as she flew towards her brother at a dead run. How could she not be happy to see her brother?

He had laughed as he caught her up in a hug, and swung her around, “Good to see you too, Zisi. Only,” he paused as he set her back on her feet, “I'm E'bert now. Impressed a while back to brown Karkath. I'll introduce you some day,” the words skated over the joy she felt at seeing her brother again. She knew how Ravene would react, but just now. This very moment in time? It was the happiest she had felt in a very long time. Sure having someone to take you in, and take care of you when you couldn't do that for yourself was good. It made her feel safe. That safe feeling made her happy, but seeing her brother again when she thought he was going to stay in Telgar? There was no comparing that to anything else.

“I miss him too,” the voice is one she'd been avoiding, “Zisiene, remember the good times dear one,” it was Ravene. When had she stopped thinking of the baker as 'Mama' and started thinking of her as 'Ravene'? She couldn't recall. It didn't matter, “you will have to start being happy again. For E'bert. Be happy for his memory's sake,” the baker dropped her hand on to Zisiene's shoulder for just a moment, then continued on up the stairs. The memories let her go as Ravene first spoke to her, then left. She'd had some hard times, but those times she couldn't remember and E'bert would never speak of them to her.

As Zisiene looked around the dining room, she realized that she had far more good memories than bad. In every one of them, her brother was a large feature. The tears were dried as she slipped quietly out into the hustle and bustle of the bazaar's side street. Enough with memories. Past is past, and done is done. Time to make new memories. Memories that would be just as important in the future, as these were now.

Add a New Comment