Post by Anulia of Amora on Mar 8, 2008 19:49:55 GMT -6
Freedom. It was a strange word and one that had not really been known to Anulia for such a long time. One did not always have to be a slave in order to loose their freedom and now, Anulia was seeing such things. As a child, she had been watched closely by her parents and those within the village. When she became a adolescent, she remained in the temple save for once a week when she was dressed in that of the high priestess and moved about the village to keep hope flowing and religion alive. It was a mild form of slavery, for she had been dressed, fed and taught only the things that the elders had decided. She knew no other life, so she had no reason to rebel or feel as if it were wrong to live her life within the walls of rock and mud. Anulia was happy, like a bird born within a cage lined of velvet, constant wild seeds and a small fountian for it to take it's baths or drink from. There was no need to question it for it was life and the highest position within the village. It was a honor to do such, even if it meant that Anulia would never have a family of her own. There were few nights when Anulia dreamed and pondered what it would be like to have a family of her own. A daughter that looked as she did or a son that looked as the man she was matched up with would have. Such dreams were always cut short, for she was to remain forever pure, dying the same way she came into the world, untouched and unspoiled to the ways of flesh.
When the Vikings came through her village and had captured her and others, she learned what cruel slavery was. It made her golden cage of velvet lining look like heaven and she missed it every night that she spent on that boat full of demons and death. Only now; in Skye; was she finally understanding the true meaning of freedom. She was able to wonder about anytime she wished, go anywhere she wanted, eat and dressed how she pleased. There were no duties for her to do and for the first two months she had been there, she took full advantage of it. She learned how to speak as they did, that here; clothing was worn to cover the body from sight and what different foods could and should not be eaten. Here in Skye, she had made her first real friends. Aman-ud-Din was a wonderful teacher, kind and patient with her when she stumbled. It had helped her learn quickly for she was never dim, simply sheltered. She knew of life and that others had to work for what they wanted, but she simply did not know how to do such until recent. Working at the tavern for the first week had turned out to do well for Anulia, for she had been given her own trading disc (coins) to sue as she pleased. They had been offered to Aman-ud-Din for payment of his help but he had refused them, saying that God had pointed them in the direction they needed to be in order to help. Anulia would never doubt that God did indeed know what he was doing and was taking care of her as promised.
Having the extra coin to spend, she had taken guardianship over Tahirah for the day, while Aman-ud-Din went about his duties without worry of Tahirah being stuck in the room with her dogs as companions. Or so Anulia assumed the male would do today. More wondering with the child she considered like her own daughter, had lead them to carnival lane. A strange and wondrous place where magic seemed to happen every time she had come to visit. It was not her first visit there, more so like her tenth and still there was always something new to see. When they get closer to the cobble path that would take them to the square which held all the entertainers, the music of drums, bells, flutes and stringed instruments hit their ears. Tahirah bounced happily, making the two braids that Anulia had done within her hair bounce about as she started to tug on Anulia's hand with her own. "Patience Tahirah...we will get there soon." She spoke with a wide smile on those full lips. She was glad that Tahirah was so excited, but there was no need to rush. Tahirah commented on Anulia knowing how to speak better and it made the woman give out that womanly laugh at her. "I have others to help." Rose had been wonderful at teaching her the difference between 'I, we, he, she, they' and so forth so Anulia knew when she speak them. Every now and then she said her name instead of using ' I ', but it never seemed to be noticed too much.
Shortly after the sounds moved out into the air and grew louder, the smell of the foods began to linger towards them making Anulia rise her chin slightly and inhale deeply before looking down to Tahirah and smiling wide. "Mmmm. When you get hungry, let me know yes?" She asked which was answered by Tahirah nodding quickly and giving a soft tug again. Had Anulia not been holding Tahirah's hand, she was sure the girl would have taken off to try and see everything in a short amount of time. The skirts of her wrap moved about her legs and form as she walked towards the first cart which held what she had come to learn as Fortune tellers. She gave a wave of her free hand to say she did not wish to have her future read before turning and heading towards the left to the next wagon and cart that she knew all too well. Three women sat in front of the cart, relaxing after what Anulia could only guess was a hard days work. Entertaining with the body, as Anulia had learned, made one tired greatly after doing it for hours on end. Anulia loved to dance and would have all day if she could. One woman in particular had just as much interest in who Anulia was, as Anulia had in her. Sa-lavia. The name rolled off the tongue like a snake had said it, seemingly seductive, but Anulia simply thought on it as a name like any other's, but different. The woman was a image of beauty with chestnut hair, wide eyes, lips much like Anulia's herself and skin that was a few shades lighter then Anulia's. She had been kind to Anulia over the past month, she had even given her many of the materials to create these wrappings and showed her how to wrap them, giving Anulia a new way to dress. Sa-lavia , strangely enough dressed much as Anulia once more, leaving her stomach exposed along with her shoulders, neck and back for all to see. It was not nudity and simply the way her people had dressed. It was one of the many reasons Anulia had stopped by here first as well. Another dressing was made to order and Sa-lavia did not let her down, bringing the cloth wrapped item to her in exchange for a coin after a smiling greeting. "Thank you. Sa-lavia...this is Tahirah. She is special to me." Anulia did not know how to explain it and those were the only words she could find. Tahirah beamed a smile up to the lady while looking her over and seeing her little dressing.
When they moved from the cart, Tahirah rose her dark eyes up to Anulia and asked the question, Anulia knew would come. "She dresses like you did...in your room." "Yes..she does. That is how Anulia's people dressed...as we spoke of before, but Sa-lavia dresses such for a different reason. She is not Anulia's people, she is different. " " Why does she dress with such little clothing?" "Sa-lavia entertains with her body by dancing and others need to see certain parts moving to make the dance seem more alive. In Anulia's homeland..dressing in little clothing meant to keep one cool. As long as the difference between man and woman was covered, one was decent. Here...there are strange rules on covering one's self. I am simply doing as I see others to not stand out. Anulia has stood out a long time in her life..I do not wish to anymore." Anulia knew they shared much more then this bond of friendship for Tahirah was special in her homeland and important, which means..Anulia had no doubt she was hidden from the world and kept in a safe place more often then wondering about, playing with the other children. Much like Anulia...Tahirah seemed to keep such happy spirits about it though. A trait Anulia adored in the child. Together, they headed deeper into the lane, moving for one of the many food carts to see what was to be had.
When the Vikings came through her village and had captured her and others, she learned what cruel slavery was. It made her golden cage of velvet lining look like heaven and she missed it every night that she spent on that boat full of demons and death. Only now; in Skye; was she finally understanding the true meaning of freedom. She was able to wonder about anytime she wished, go anywhere she wanted, eat and dressed how she pleased. There were no duties for her to do and for the first two months she had been there, she took full advantage of it. She learned how to speak as they did, that here; clothing was worn to cover the body from sight and what different foods could and should not be eaten. Here in Skye, she had made her first real friends. Aman-ud-Din was a wonderful teacher, kind and patient with her when she stumbled. It had helped her learn quickly for she was never dim, simply sheltered. She knew of life and that others had to work for what they wanted, but she simply did not know how to do such until recent. Working at the tavern for the first week had turned out to do well for Anulia, for she had been given her own trading disc (coins) to sue as she pleased. They had been offered to Aman-ud-Din for payment of his help but he had refused them, saying that God had pointed them in the direction they needed to be in order to help. Anulia would never doubt that God did indeed know what he was doing and was taking care of her as promised.
Having the extra coin to spend, she had taken guardianship over Tahirah for the day, while Aman-ud-Din went about his duties without worry of Tahirah being stuck in the room with her dogs as companions. Or so Anulia assumed the male would do today. More wondering with the child she considered like her own daughter, had lead them to carnival lane. A strange and wondrous place where magic seemed to happen every time she had come to visit. It was not her first visit there, more so like her tenth and still there was always something new to see. When they get closer to the cobble path that would take them to the square which held all the entertainers, the music of drums, bells, flutes and stringed instruments hit their ears. Tahirah bounced happily, making the two braids that Anulia had done within her hair bounce about as she started to tug on Anulia's hand with her own. "Patience Tahirah...we will get there soon." She spoke with a wide smile on those full lips. She was glad that Tahirah was so excited, but there was no need to rush. Tahirah commented on Anulia knowing how to speak better and it made the woman give out that womanly laugh at her. "I have others to help." Rose had been wonderful at teaching her the difference between 'I, we, he, she, they' and so forth so Anulia knew when she speak them. Every now and then she said her name instead of using ' I ', but it never seemed to be noticed too much.
Shortly after the sounds moved out into the air and grew louder, the smell of the foods began to linger towards them making Anulia rise her chin slightly and inhale deeply before looking down to Tahirah and smiling wide. "Mmmm. When you get hungry, let me know yes?" She asked which was answered by Tahirah nodding quickly and giving a soft tug again. Had Anulia not been holding Tahirah's hand, she was sure the girl would have taken off to try and see everything in a short amount of time. The skirts of her wrap moved about her legs and form as she walked towards the first cart which held what she had come to learn as Fortune tellers. She gave a wave of her free hand to say she did not wish to have her future read before turning and heading towards the left to the next wagon and cart that she knew all too well. Three women sat in front of the cart, relaxing after what Anulia could only guess was a hard days work. Entertaining with the body, as Anulia had learned, made one tired greatly after doing it for hours on end. Anulia loved to dance and would have all day if she could. One woman in particular had just as much interest in who Anulia was, as Anulia had in her. Sa-lavia. The name rolled off the tongue like a snake had said it, seemingly seductive, but Anulia simply thought on it as a name like any other's, but different. The woman was a image of beauty with chestnut hair, wide eyes, lips much like Anulia's herself and skin that was a few shades lighter then Anulia's. She had been kind to Anulia over the past month, she had even given her many of the materials to create these wrappings and showed her how to wrap them, giving Anulia a new way to dress. Sa-lavia , strangely enough dressed much as Anulia once more, leaving her stomach exposed along with her shoulders, neck and back for all to see. It was not nudity and simply the way her people had dressed. It was one of the many reasons Anulia had stopped by here first as well. Another dressing was made to order and Sa-lavia did not let her down, bringing the cloth wrapped item to her in exchange for a coin after a smiling greeting. "Thank you. Sa-lavia...this is Tahirah. She is special to me." Anulia did not know how to explain it and those were the only words she could find. Tahirah beamed a smile up to the lady while looking her over and seeing her little dressing.
When they moved from the cart, Tahirah rose her dark eyes up to Anulia and asked the question, Anulia knew would come. "She dresses like you did...in your room." "Yes..she does. That is how Anulia's people dressed...as we spoke of before, but Sa-lavia dresses such for a different reason. She is not Anulia's people, she is different. " " Why does she dress with such little clothing?" "Sa-lavia entertains with her body by dancing and others need to see certain parts moving to make the dance seem more alive. In Anulia's homeland..dressing in little clothing meant to keep one cool. As long as the difference between man and woman was covered, one was decent. Here...there are strange rules on covering one's self. I am simply doing as I see others to not stand out. Anulia has stood out a long time in her life..I do not wish to anymore." Anulia knew they shared much more then this bond of friendship for Tahirah was special in her homeland and important, which means..Anulia had no doubt she was hidden from the world and kept in a safe place more often then wondering about, playing with the other children. Much like Anulia...Tahirah seemed to keep such happy spirits about it though. A trait Anulia adored in the child. Together, they headed deeper into the lane, moving for one of the many food carts to see what was to be had.
