Tavronica Week Prompt 4: Overcoming Differences
Hello again, all. Time for the next installment of my continuing series. Instead of this one being a continuation of the story from last time, this is a prequel set just after they met and fell in love, and tells the story of overcoming clan differences and stereotypes. There is a bit of swearing in this, so if you don’t like that, skip this one. Finally, to Tae fans, if you’ve read my other stuff you know I usually depict her being highly competitive and drinking to excess. Well, you’ll be happy to know she’s not drunk this time. She is, however, hungover. Hope you enjoy it and on with the show!
Tavra and Onica walked along through the mostly empty market section of Cera-Na, perusing merchandise, holding hands and just living in the moment. It was early morning, the night after Ethri’s coronation as Maudra. Most Gelfling were still in bed, sleeping off their drunken merriment from the night before, but the shopkeepers weren’t able to indulge as much as their patrons, so most were up and only some nursing hangovers as they set out their wares.
The recently formed couple meandered up and down the market, passing some shops several times, occasionally examining items closer before placing them back. During that time, Onica noticed that there was one item in particular that had caught Tavra’s lavender gaze. The Vapra had been drawn to a weapons shop, ignoring everything inside, save for a beautiful, intricate sword, inlaid with precious gems and silver upon the handle. It was a rare find at any shop in Cera-Na, due to the Sifa preferring to fight with harpoons, instead of swords.
Clearly, something made for a Silverling. Stonewood don’t generally make swords with handles like that. I wonder where the shopkeeper got it from. Onica thought. She observed as Tavra approached the beautiful blade where it was hanging on display. She ran her hands carefully along the handle before lifting it from its perch to examine it more closely. She checked the balance to see if it was to her liking, smiling as she found it perfect for her fighting style. Finally, with a regretful sigh, she returned the weapon to its display, glancing back more than once before rejoining Onica and leaving.
“Why didn’t you buy it? It really does suit you well.” The seer asked, happily rejoining hands before they headed off. Tavra shrugged.
“I’ve nothing to pay with. I left behind most of my things when I flew into that storm to help you, including my purse, and I very much doubt that the shopkeeper would believe me if I said I was good for it because I was a Vapra princess. C’mon, let’s just go get some breakfast, alright?” Tavra began to head out, before realizing she’d no idea which way to go.
“Sure. It’s this way.” Onica took the lead, pulling Tavra in the opposite direction. The girls easily found a table and sat down to claim it. Onica was about to go retrieve their meals, but-
“Why in Ka’s name are people up this early after a party like that? Ughh, my head feels like a Drenchen drum. Just won’t stop pounding. Mind if I sit?” It was Tae, Ethri’s new advisor and Onica’s best friend.
“Not at all, Tae. Onica was just about to head over and grab us breakfast.” Tavra offered a chair, which Tae promptly sank down into, desperately trying to block her eyes from the first Brother’s cruel glare.
“Would you care to eat anything, Tae, or is your stomach still yelling at you for that contest you were determined to win last night?” Onica joked, giving her friend an amused but sympathetic smile.
“No, thank you, I’m good.” Tae replied, voice tight as she grit her teeth from the pain. Onica just shook her head with quiet mirth.
She’ll never learn. Sometimes, you’ve got to pick your battles and bow out when appropriate. Well, I suppose I should offer to go buy her some herbs from the market to ease her suffering. Oh, wait! I’ve got an idea…
“Tavra, would you mind keeping our victorious champion here company while I go and fetch some herbs to help her from the shop we passed earlier?” Tavra smiled at her new love’s care and devotion to her sometimes-foolish friend.
“Sure. I’d be glad to.” Onica walked over to hand her a small bag containing a few gems.
“This will pay for our food. I recommend the stall just to the left of us. Anything they have is delicious, so please pick something for me. No need to wait for me before eating, I’ll meet you back here soon.” Onica leaned in to snag a quick kiss from Tavra before Tae shooed her off, desperate for some pain relief.
A good while later, Tavra had finished her meal and Tae began to wonder what was taking the seer so long.
“Grr…where is she, auggghhh! If I don’t get those herbs soon, I’ll die! Just keel right over, and then she’ll be sorry.” Tae dramatically placed her head in her hands, leaning over and very nearly toppling from her chair. Lightning quick reflexes stopped her fall, a strong arm righting her chair, its partner reaching out to steady her as her body’s momentum threatened to continue.
“Just be patient a little while longer. I’m sure she’ll be back any moment, though I don’t know why it’s taking so long. The shop wasn’t that far away. Ah! There she is.” Tavra pointed and Tae whipped her head up, instantly regretting her decision as she moaned, nearly blacking out for a second. Onica approached her ailing friend, placing a hand on her back, before bringing a cup into her line of sight.
“Here you are, Tae. This should help things a bit.” Tae lunged, draining the cup within seconds before placing her head to rest on the tabletop. Tavra looked at Onica curiously, one brow raised in question.
“Was there a problem at the herb shop? I was beginning to worry that something had happened to you.” Onica smiled reassuringly at her.
“No, no problems. I just had to make one more stop before coming back, but the shop I needed was quite a ways further and the market began to get crowded.”
“What did you need to buy SO desperately that you neglected your one and only, very best friend?” Tae griped. “You know what, I don’t want to know. I think I need to go find a dark hole to crawl into for a few hours. You love birds have a nice time.” Tae dragged herself up and slowly stumbled off, holding her head and wincing. Onica just rolled her eyes before focusing on Tavra, who was still curious.
“She seems pretty mad at you.”
“Oh, she’s always like this the morning after winning a drinking contest against more than five people. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“So, why did you make her wait so long?”
“Well, honestly, I was buying you a gift. I know you said we didn’t need to show any gratitude for you saving our lives, but I thought you deserved something nice for your trouble. Ah, your gift is here now. Over here!” Tavra turned to see her love addressing the weapons shop owner from earlier, gleaming silver sword in hand as she approached.
“Oh, Onica, you didn’t.” Onica smiled at the delight that danced in Tavra’s eyes.
“I most certainly did.” The shopkeeper grinned as she presented Tavra with her new blade.
“Enjoy it, miss Vapra. You’re quite lucky, nabbing the heart of our next clan elder like this. I wish you both many happy days. So long.” The couple gave a wave of goodbye, Tavra running her eyes admiringly along her new weapon as Onica appreciated her happiness.
“I-I don’t know what to say about this Onica. No one has ever given me something quite like this. It really is much too grand a gesture for me to accept it.” Tavra held it out to her slowly, but Onica just put her hands on top and pushed it slowly back, leaning forward with it as she did so.
“Well, perhaps you could give me a little something and it’d make us even.” Onica moved towards Tavra’s lips, clearly asking for a kiss. Instead, Tavra gave a wry smile.
“Ah! Of course. Sifa never do anything for free, do they?” Tavra started pretending to look around her person for something to give the seer, expecting to receive a laugh for her joke, but instead Onica leaned back, a frown on her face, arms crossed. Tavra’s ears twitched nervously. “Is-is something wrong? Did I say something?” Onica’s frown deepened.
“You’re really just like every other Vapra, aren’t you? A cold and heartless bitch!” Onica raised her voice at the end before storming from the table, tears streaking down her angry, disappointed face. Tavra jumped up after her, doing her best not to lose her in the confusing city of ships.
“Onica, I don’t understand what I said to upset you! It was just a joke!” Onica scoffed, turning around to confront her once they’d reached a more secluded spot.
“You implied I was a greedy little sea-rat with a hidden agenda when all I wanted to do was give you a gift!” Tavra took offense.
“I wasn’t being serious! And you don’t even talk to me about it. You just call me a heartless bitch and then run off! Is that what I can expect once we finally part ways?”
“How dare you, you clanist ass! Not all Sifa expect payment for every little gesture, y’know!”
“Well, what about Cadia? I’ve heard stories about his expectations for payment.”
“That’s one man, Tavra! And yes, there are a few Sifa who are greedy and take advantage of other clans labelling them as such, but most of us-most of us, Tavra, are decent Gelfling! Can you say the same for your clan?” Tavra wasn’t sure what to say to that, as she must admit there was truth within her girlfriend’s words. At least, she still hoped Onica was her girlfriend after all this. Tavra decided this was all getting out of hand. Her next reply was calm and filled with regret.
“No, you’re right, I cannot say the same for the Vapra. I wish I could, but I can’t.” Tavra sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve been told I was above other clans ever since I was a childling. I didn’t realize how you might feel when I told that joke. At least, not until that ‘cold bitch’ crack.” Onica was still angry, but it eased a bit when she finally heard some sense from her love.
“Tavra, you’ve travelled more of Skarith than I could currently claim, yet you’ve still a long way to go when it comes to becoming more worldly. The next time you think about telling a clan joke, keep the phrase ‘cold bitch’ in mind. It also might help to try imagining how you’d feel, were you a non-Vapra visiting Ha’rar and hearing the whispers told of you behind your back.” Disdain tinted her words and Tavra wondered how many times Onica had gone through what she was describing. She cautiously approached her, hesitating a bit before reaching out to place a comforting hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder. She half-expected to be shrugged off, relieved when Onica instead leaned into her hand.
“I-I’m really sorry, Onica. I didn’t know-I didn’t realize…I guess you’re right. I’ve been living in a bubble, seeing things only one way. The Vapra way. If you still *sigh* if you still want to be with me, I’m willing to learn how to change my perspectives. That is, if you don’t mind teaching me.” Onica reached up, taking Tavra’s hand from her shoulder and lacing their fingers together.
“Oh, Tavra, of course I still want to be with you. I love you, and nothing is going to change that, especially not some dumb joke.” Onica pulled her forward, their arms wrapping around each other, reaffirming the status of their relationship. It was off to a shaky start, but there was clear hope on the horizon. Perhaps, if they could learn to look passed clan dividing lines, others may too. One day…
-DK
