Blubie
Has been given a Second Chance
Posts: 3
(9/14/07 1:13 am)
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Zanendithas
(A short note: The world Zanendithas is from is currently in their variant of the Middle Ages.)
Birth
A long, stressful night. A Smallfolk woman cried in her bed, her lover holding her hand beside her. The couple's children were already lying safely in their warm beds, tucked away under the soft, sheep-wool blankets, their rosy faces pressed against the feather-filled pillows which each one had. After almost two hours, the labor was ended, and the mother let free a relieved, exhausted sigh. The father placing the crying, tiny babe in her arms.
Eventually, the new-born's cries quietened, and his dark eyes stared into those of the woman. A silent bond between mother and child already being formed. Smallfolk prided themselves on keeping their family ties much closer than that of any other race. Tiny hands closing around his mother's finger, the baby had already brought smiles to the faces of others.
"Zanendithas," the mother of five whispered. A rather uncommon name, though one which sounded wonderful to her ears.
"Zanendithas?" Her lover repeated, a slight frown on his face. "I thought we had agreed on Dribo?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, love... But I do think Zanendithas sounds much better," the mother replied with an apologetic look in her dark eyes.
Early Childhood
Zanendithas, being the youngest child of the family, was always one to be smothered with the attention of others. Adorable from his first day in the world, the child became a master of controlling other's affection. Whenever he wandered into town with his mother, pulling her along by her hand, other members of the community often stopped and spoke to them, complimenting Zanendithas, whom would always merely grin up at them.
Though whenever the child was with his father, working on the farm, planting crops and tending to animals that were more than huge compared to them, Zan felt bored and frustrated. He clearly wasn't going to enjoy the family trade from early on in his life.
'Puberty.'
While we may call this phase of our lives 'Teenage' years, the Smallfolk refer to them as 'Sproutings'. A name taken more from the rapid development they under-go during this period of time. Zanendithas, having received his beloved lute from his father, spent most of his time in the nearby little town. Playing in taverns and restaurants almost more than he followed females of the race about. Always being just shy of approaching them.
Given how large his family was, Zanendithas was never one to care for friends. He knew everyone in the community, anyway, and most liked him. Though he found the girls his age were more interested in the fellows making their parents proud rather than the one whom could play an instrument masterfully. He never allowed this to stop, though, and went on with what he wanted.*
Adulthood - Moving on.
When Zanendithas was a good twenty years old, after having the celebration all Smallfolk have upon reaching adulthood, he informed his loving family that he would be leaving them. While, in truth, this resulted in him being disowned, to the extent Smallfolk could disown each other^. He didn't mind. After a teary farewell, Zan left his family, wandering into the nearby human city with a mercantile caravan.
As he had in his own town, Zan made his living by performing in inns and taverns. Finding that humans considered a tiny man dancing and playing a lute on a table as extremely entertaining. He made more coin than he ever had before in his young life. Though, having already given way to his desire to wander, he was vulnerable to it once again. Leaving the city and moving on to another. Living exactly as he had in that one, then once again moving on to another. This continued until he reached...
Raelindor - Crime.
Zanendithas instantly fell in love with Raelindor. Work for everyone, regardless of race and past. Street performers almost everywhere, providing limitless entertainment. Complete safety from whatever the outside world might throw to try and have you killed. Opportunities practically wandering up and begging you to take them... After a few moments in the city, Zanendithas was saying to himself, "Welcome home."
Although, Zanendithas's helpful nature eventually found him up to his neck - Which isn't that high - in trouble. Drafted into one of the thieves guilds of the city against his will, Zanendithas was told that he would either get the information the guild master wanted, or he would push up flowers in a ditch. Zan, driven by fear, performed wonderfully, which meant he was made a permanent member of the guild. Against his will, of course, as Zan despised those whom would harm others to get what they wanted.
Acting excellently, and doing what he was told, Zanendithas quickly became a much-liked member of the guild. Sadly, this didn't mean he was invaluable. The one day he didn't have the information he was ordered to acquire, his soft little throat was sliced open.
*You see, when a Smallfolk doesn't like another Smallfolk, they don't spend hours throwing witty insults back and forth. They merely avoid each other and get on with their lives.
This is different with the 'Bigfolk,' as they call humans and the like, though. Smallfolk aren't entirely fond of outsiders, seeing them all as quaint and strange, and would rather avoid them. This isn't something that non-Smallfolk would know, though, as Smallfolk are always nice and polite, often being thought of as a favored peoples to have in company. However, if one of the non-Smallfolk upset a Smallfolk, that Smallfolk will assault them with a barrage of insults which would leave them almost speechless.
^Smallfolk never truly disown each other. It's merely that the fellow whom is being disowned is tolerated as a high class of non-Smallfolk. He is still rather loved by everyone, and should he ever need help he can fully expect to be given it.
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