02-01-2024, 09:43 PM
Malaika lacked enough knowledge of Ebou Dar to be able to Travel as close as would have been convenient. She remembered the street on which Kasimir’s family lived, but to open a gate there might have proven dangerous – and she certainly didn’t need any more of that. So when she’d opened the silvery portal it had been to a green wilderness outside of the city. Kasimir had led the way almost in silence, each of them quiet with their own thoughts.
It had been more than a year since her last visit … and nearly that since Kasimir had seen his family. So much had changed in that time; a year ago, Malaika could not have imagined making this journey alone. Ebou Dar did not hold as much wonder as it had the last time – not at first, at least. Ultimately, for one as untraveled as Malaika, it was impossible to ignore the foreign beauty around her, and the scenery provided a distraction from the meeting to come.
“I could show you around,” Kasimir said hopefully, noting the way she watched the boats in the many canals. It really was a beautiful city, especially if you knew the right places to go, but she recognised the stall for what it was.
“Another time, perhaps.” A half smile, barely noticeable, accompanied a side-long glance. He looked stressed, and she sympathised, but suspected it was his pride more than anything taking the beating.
“You stupid boy! Where have you been?” Sharain grabbed Kasimir almost the moment the door opened, as though proximity to Malaika were somehow poisonous. Malaika took a moment to gather her composure, grateful that the culmination of her Aes Sedai training enabled her to distance herself. Her features betrayed little, though inside unease roiled.
There were no greetings, formal or casual. With a mistrustful glare, Sharain simply left the door open as she retreated with her son in tow. Malaika considered Travelling away and leaving this family to sort out their own wounds privately, until Sharain spoke over her shoulder.
“He wants to see you. Alone.” She slipped her arm through Kasimir’s protectively, and led him away. Kas gave her a plaintive look, but allowed himself to be led away.
It had been more than a year since her last visit … and nearly that since Kasimir had seen his family. So much had changed in that time; a year ago, Malaika could not have imagined making this journey alone. Ebou Dar did not hold as much wonder as it had the last time – not at first, at least. Ultimately, for one as untraveled as Malaika, it was impossible to ignore the foreign beauty around her, and the scenery provided a distraction from the meeting to come.
“I could show you around,” Kasimir said hopefully, noting the way she watched the boats in the many canals. It really was a beautiful city, especially if you knew the right places to go, but she recognised the stall for what it was.
“Another time, perhaps.” A half smile, barely noticeable, accompanied a side-long glance. He looked stressed, and she sympathised, but suspected it was his pride more than anything taking the beating.
“You stupid boy! Where have you been?” Sharain grabbed Kasimir almost the moment the door opened, as though proximity to Malaika were somehow poisonous. Malaika took a moment to gather her composure, grateful that the culmination of her Aes Sedai training enabled her to distance herself. Her features betrayed little, though inside unease roiled.
There were no greetings, formal or casual. With a mistrustful glare, Sharain simply left the door open as she retreated with her son in tow. Malaika considered Travelling away and leaving this family to sort out their own wounds privately, until Sharain spoke over her shoulder.
“He wants to see you. Alone.” She slipped her arm through Kasimir’s protectively, and led him away. Kas gave her a plaintive look, but allowed himself to be led away.
![[Image: cherry-blosson.png]](http://thefirstage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cherry-blosson.png)