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Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 27 Oct 2013, 17:58
by Zakar
I am unsure if this has all been a fantastic and terrible dream or if it is real. Several weeks ago, I came to this town, searching for the woman I thought had killed my brother and determined to bring her back to Saudi Arabia for justice and closure for my family. I found her and thought it would not be difficult to bring her back with me. I could not have been more wrong in that estimation.
She sent a man after me, or at least I thought it was a man at first. The Djinn are tricky and I should have realized that he was not human but one of them. In my arrogance, I ignored the signs and he made me into one of them, denying me the blessing of Allah's everlasting paradise and condemning me to a life of eternal darkness. It was only after he left, that she came to talk to me. I thought she was there to rub it in, but she did not. She was kind to me, even though I had sought to have her stoned to death.
For the first few nights, we talked and she told me what had really happened to Ibrahim. I could see the truth of it in her eyes as well as hear it in her voice and I came to the decision that I would not try to take her back and have her punished for a crime she had so clearly not committed. The tentative talking turned to friendship and from that, a single kiss was shared.
It was the next night she came to visit that things got interesting. My father sent me an email that contained the details of my arranged marriage, something that was not unexpected as I knew my family had been working on such a thing for me for some time. The surprise, or rather shock, came when the email revealed the name of the woman I was to marry...Aysel Johari. The woman I had been so determined to bring back with me. One could only imagine how this news shocked us, but then she hatched a plan that would benefit us both. She suggested that we pretend to be married! At first I objected to the idea because I did not want her to have to live a lie. Soon she made me see the silver lining in that mercury poisoned cloud. It would give both of us a modicum of freedom to live our lives as we wished. Her without her Uncle's constant harassment and abuse and me, well not much in my life really changed. I agreed and we were prepared to let my family and her uncle know that we were agreeable to the situation....and that is when my father showed up, contracts in hand for us to sign. Iron clad no less.
Now, we signed those and he started making noise about grandchildren to bounce on his knee and spoil. Somehow Aysel managed to get him to leave and I believe we both breathed a sigh of relief. Even though in my country, she would be legally considered my wife, we both know that we live a lie. A lie that I made the horrendous mistake of telling her that I sometimes wished it were true, but I'll get to that story shortly. I need to make a few phone calls to arrange to get out of this place since fate seems to be working against me.
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 05 Feb 2014, 00:27
by Zakar
I apologize for not writing more, but many things have happened since that fateful night when I thought I would leave. Aysel and I somehow managed to be civil with each other for a while after. I thought things were going well between us, but then I had the misfortune of summoning a wraith. Not just any wraith either, but the shade of my brother, Ibrahim. Since that night I have not seen her, nor spoken with her and I believe that might be for the best for all concerned. I found a young gypsy who was able to rid me of the wraith thankfully, so at least I do not have to deal with Ibrahim constantly whispering in my ear anymore.
I did make a couple of back and forth pick up lines with a young lady named Kleo, but that is of no consequence now. There was an Andras family get together but I found I did not have the heart to attend it. Perhaps that is a shame and I missed my chance to meet this Kleo person, but again, I believe that is for the best as well.
I tried to join a faction, but I found I was unable to seek out other members and speak to them privately, so I left. I am not sure what has happened to me and why I have grown so quiet and withdrawn from all things, but I find a certain solace and comfort in my lonely existence. For some reason I have no interest in anything anymore, not in hacking, not in speaking with anyone, not in the new wraith that I have acquired.....nothing. Most nights I do not even bother leaving my apartment. I sit and stare at the walls or wading through the paperwork that my father sends my way.
Until tonight that is, tonight I received a frantic phone call from my mother, Fatima. She was in hysterics which was worriesome because usually she is the one who is the type to take charge of things and never fall apart. It seems my father has fallen gravely ill and his doctors suspect he is not long in for this world. Fatima has requested that I return home immediately and I find I simply do not have the heart to tell her no. In fact, returning home may be exactly what I need. It certainly holds a great deal of appeal to me and to be honest, I miss the life I knew. Even if I cannot live it as I once did, at least it will be familiar and comforting to me. So here I sit, writing an brief account of the things that have been happening when I should be packing to return home. That sentence is enough to spur me into action and get me moving.
It is time to go home and take up the mantle of responsibility that is about to be thrust upon my shoulders. Time will tell if I find a desire to return to this place or not.
Zakar
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 07 Feb 2014, 02:28
by Aysel
Dear Zakar,
I found your journal. I know you told me to burn it, but I could not do it. It seemed to final, as if I would be erasing you from this life. So instead I am writing you a letter in it and mailing it to you. My hope is that you will write me and send it back. But I can understand if you chose to forget all that has happened since you came here on your quest for revenge.
I promise I have not read the pages you filled, but I left them in this book because they are tales of your life, and should not be forgotten. I have my own journal, two actually. Some times I find that writing can be very cathartic. Some times it makes things worse. I am not sure which it is these days, but I write when the mood strikes me.
Things are quiet. Almost too quiet these nights. I still hack like you taught me, and in fact, I think I am getting better. It is certainly becoming more lucrative. I even have a pet now. A little owlet that was a gift from... well I hesitate to call him a friend. I think acquaintance is a better word. I am not sure why he bestowed this gift upon me, and in all truth, I am slightly suspicious. This is a man who's mood swings rival any woman or Allurists. I am not sure what to do about him. One moment he seems cordial the next he is... well... I fear it to be to improper to write what I truly feel. But suffice it to say that he is most unpleasant during these times.
What else is there to say? I really am not sure. I suppose I should close out this letter. There are only so many ways and times I can say that I love you and I miss you so very much. And yet I do not wish to stop writing because I feel as if I am closer to you this way. As if I could reach through the pages of this book and touch your hand or see your smile.
Now I simply sound like a sentimental fool. Write me, Zakar. Write me so I know you think of me as much as I think of you.
In Allah's Light,
Aysel Asun Johari El-Sayed.
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 07 Feb 2014, 03:53
by Zakar
Dear Aysel,
I was surprised, pleasantly, to receive the journal I left behind. I understand your reasoning for not destroying it and for that, I am grateful. Maybe I was hasty in suggesting it be destroyed, even if I felt as though erasing myself might be the right thing to do at the time. I thought I wanted to forget everything that had happened during the last few months of my life, but during the trip home, I found it was those very things that kept me going. I have long since left the desire for revenge behind me, as you know only too well. Now I find that I look back on my time in Harper Rock with a certain fondness in spite of the rocky start.
I have a few people to thank for that, for making me feel as if I could and did belong, for however long I was there. You….well, you are at the top of that list of people. First because it was you that brought me there, even though my reasons were foolish and short-sighted. You were the first to show me kindness and compassion, but more importantly you were and are my closest friend and confidant, and much more than that, but I believe you know that already. I wake each evening with the vision of your smile in my minds eye and it is that very thing that gets me out of bed. Perhaps I am going mad, but I hear the sound of your voice telling me that I should come back there, or telling me that I can get through this trying time with my family. I know I have maintained that I would never use the word “wish” again, not after the last time that I used it and it ended so badly, but I wish you were here with me right now. I know that you have your life there and that life outside of that area holds more dangers for those like us, but I am selfish in wanting you here with me.
The other people I have to thank are Djinn, Every, and Velveteen. Djinn, for making me what I am and putting up with me. I was a less than ideal creation, of that I am certain. Every for her logic and ability to listen and offer advice, for accepting me and not trying to change me, and for not killing me over that one incident that resulted in a certain someone eating copious amounts of ice cream. And last, but certainly not least, Velveteen. She introduced me to hacking, offered advice and an ear and always seemed to have time to talk, even if it was just to say hello. Such things, while they might not sound like much to a person, meant the world to me.
On a different note, perhaps a more somber one, there is my father….he lays in his bed, wasting away to nothing and screaming in pain. The doctors say it is Cancer and that it has progressed too far to be treatable. It is in his brain, his spine, everywhere. Mother takes the day shift, watching over him and trying to quiet him as much as she is able, but it seems he needs stronger and stronger doses of pain medicine and that they last a shorter amount of time with every dose. When I go to take over at night, she looks worn and haggard. Lines etch her once smooth brow and her eyes that were once so bright with life are now dull and haunted looking. I remind her to eat but she says she is not hungry or that she will eat later. This woman who was so vibrant and full of life, is a mere shadow of herself. I explained that you were unable to come with and she was understanding. She sends her love and says to let you know she misses you and wishes you were here.
Is it terrible of me to look at my father as he lies in his bed and wish I had the courage to end his life? I hate seeing him suffer and the sound of his screams set my teeth on edge and haunt my every waking moment. Instead I try to make him as comfortable as I am able to, while part of me wishes that he would hurry up and die already. You once told me you believed Allah was merciful, but as I look at this man, I simply cannot see this as a merciful or kind way to die. I find this has shaken my belief in Allah to its deepest foundations. But enough of things that are depressing, letters to friends and love ones are supposed to be light-hearted, are they not?
I bought a camel. Yes that’s correct, a camel. A dromedary to be specific. She certainly has a vile personality, at least to those who do not care for her. Spitting seems to be her favorite pastime when she spies those she does not like coming close to her. Luckily for me, she likes me. That means I do not find myself getting covered in spit, or any of the other less than desirable things she may produce. Now all I need to think of is a name for her, perhaps you would be interested in helping to name her?
I suppose I must end this letter as it is nearing sunrise and my mother will soon be coming to take over for me. I miss you and I love you. I hold your memory close to my heart and still have your picture in my wallet. Be well and safe, Desert Star. I hope to hear from you soon, but do not drop everything to do write back. You have a life to live, while I watch one fade.
Warmest wishes and fondest thoughts,
Zakar Aarif El-Sayed
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 02:17
by Aysel
My Dearest Zakar,
Allah is merciful and He gives us all that we need, even if we do not see it at first. Perhaps you are the mecry Allah has sent to your father. It is you who has the strength to end his suffering. You who can comfort him on his way to Paradise. I know it is hard to see it, or even believe it in the face of His Excellency's agony, but it is true. You are there as an Angel of Mercy, as a comfort to him in his last moments before entering Allah's Holy Light. You must look inside yourself and find the core of strength I know you have.
It will not be easy to loose your father, and I know Fatima will take it hard as well. But on the other side of this difficult choice is knowing that you eased his pain and suffering. That is something only you can do. That is what Allah wants you to do. Do not look to Him for mercy when He looks to you.
Your baby camel is very cute and fluffy. I am sorry to hear she has a vile temperament, but I think you can calm her. You seem to have a way with females after all. As for a name? I am not sure. She is so cute and fluffy it is tempting to give her a cutesy name to go with her looks. Perhaps you should call her Kuvvet. It means "Strength" in Turkish. I imagine you will train her to be ridden and they need plenty of strength to trek across the dessert sands. Perhaps some time we can travel with the Bedouins as they move at night and it would be perfect. Though they prefer horses to Camels.
I got attacked the other night and Micah let me handle the details. He says he is proud of how I did so and that I did exactly as he would have done. I sent an email to the person and when they replied back, I asked for compensation for the blood that I had to purchase. It went rather smoothly and I think I am learning how to navigate this world.
I still miss you with and ache that grows more each night. Perhaps I will come and see you. Certainly it would be appropriate for His Excellency's funeral and I would love to see Fatima again. Know that you have all my love and support.
In Allah's Light,
Aysel Asun Johari El-Sayed
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 24 Feb 2014, 22:59
by Zakar
I do not know why, but I felt the need to bring this journal back with me, maybe because entries in it are a way for me to measure time in a life that appears to have no end, who knows? Much has happened since the last time it was written in so maybe I use it to track events that I feel are worthy of note in my life. At any rate, enough pointless rambling, it is time to cut to the chase.
Event one:
My father passed away. Well, that is not entirely true. Yes he is dead, but he had “help” passing away. Help that was visited on him in the form of his one living child, me. I could not sit there night after night and continue to watch him suffer and waste away to nothing. What a horrible way to die when he was once such a strong, healthy man. The effect on my mother was also heartbreaking to watch, so in the end I decided it would be best to spare us all a long, drawn out death. While he slept, albeit it fitfully, I pinched his nose closed with one hand while I covered his mouth tightly with the other one. He woke and tried to struggle but being what I am, the scratches he left on my face and hand healed so fast that no one would be any the wiser that he’d been killed. I took a few minutes to clean beneath his nails because I did not want there to be any evidence of such a terrible deed. Once I had done that, I changed the bedding, which was part of the nightly ritual of tending him anyway, so no one would have thought anything was amiss by me doing such a thing. It worked to hide the drops of blood he managed to draw from me in his final moments. After it was all done, I found that I felt relieved, and maybe just a bit empowered. Since Aysel had expressed a desire to attend the funeral, Fatima and I informed the doctor that we had a family member coming for his funeral and that the time of death would need to be delayed by several hours in order to make sure we followed custom. Islam says that a person must be buried within twenty-four hours of their death, but it is also not uncommon for the time of death to be pushed back by several hours to allow for proper arrangements and family members to make the journey to mourn with us. At any rate, she graciously came to spend the week with Fatima and I. Fatima was very happy to see her and I believe it eased her grief to have Aysel around.
Event Two:
While she was visiting us, Aysel managed to talk me into returning to Canada. I had left for a time to be here for the impending death of my father. But as Fatima said, once all was said and done, there was no real reason to stay and she sensed I was not happy being here. At first, when I returned home I was happy to be back. I missed the warmth that radiated from the ground after the heat of the day, the stars that filled the sky at night, and I missed my family, even though they had developed the habit of routinely coming to visit me, unannounced and usually at very inopportune times. I imagine my mother will still do so, as it is of no issue to her to simply order one of the guards to accompany her. SO I found myself returning, but I failed to let anyone know I had any intention of returning aside from Aysel. I showed up at a family event that was being held on the eve of my return. It felt good to see familiar faces and Aysel was kind enough to point out the face of a young woman named Kleo. I even took a couple of turns in the cage and managed to get up the nerve to speak to this Kleo person. She seems like she might be fun to get to know better and I found I was looking forward to getting to speak with her again. She handed me my *** in the cage, but even though I got the worse end of things, I did manage to break her leg. I am oddly proud of myself for doing so, even though in the same vein, I feel a bit bad for hurting her.
Event Three:
I returned to my training and have been trying to be more social with others outside my line. I went to another cage match a few nights ago and this time there were people there that I did not know. To say I felt more than a little shy at first would be an understatement, but as the night wore on and I watched for a bit, I put myself out there and introduced myself to a man named Jonah. He seems rather quiet, but there is nothing wrong with having such a quality. There was also a young woman named Renee that I spoke with briefly. She too, seemed very nice and I found her enjoyable to talk with, however short the conversation was. I took a couple of turns in the cage again and this time, I came away with nothing but broken ribs from the encounter with Kleo. So that is definitely better than the last time, at least for me.
Event Four:
Went and spent time with my sibling, Aleczandra. I like that young lady. She makes me smile and our outings are always fun, or if not fun, at least eventful . She makes me smile and she is never afraid to say what she thinks….about anyone or anything. I love that about her. She is a fresh breath of air and a free spirit that does not let anyone hold her back.
I believe this covers the major events that have happened in the last month or so of my life. As more things happen, I will try to keep a more timely record of them.
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 20 Mar 2014, 05:22
by Zakar
Where do I begin? Much has happened as of late and I shall endeavor to write it down in no particular order. I went to an even called Mardi Gras a couple of weeks ago. It is a sort of costumed party where the people dance, talk and carry on with much merry making. I had a great deal of fun and spent some of the evening there with Kleo, and part of it with Aysel. I also earned my beads by flashing myself to people. Not several times, but once. I am not sure what possessed me to do such a thing as I am usually reserved and behave as a proper man of my standing back home would do. That night though, I found my normal inhibitions were sadly lacking. However, it was very freeing to just let go of them, if only for an evening.
There was a gentleman there by the name of Vasik. I noted off and on all evening that he seemed to be quite flirtatious with the women and it made me smile to see someone having so much fun. It was only when he left that I got a surprise of sorts. He walked up to me and gave me his beads, telling me I was a beautiful person. It made me wonder if his tastes were not strictly female in nature. I thanked him and he left. There was also a young woman named Klara who came over and introduced herself to Aysel and I, sort of. We had a brief conversation about Allah and the way to say the name properly. Perhaps I will run into her again someday, but if not, it was still a nice happenstance.
Kleo won for best female costume at this event and I was happy for her. She did look quite eye catching in all that purple. They also had an event that involved some people putting on these tight, white latex suits and getting on stage to get painted. Yes, that is correct, painted. There are many talented painters it would seem. I enjoyed watching and in the end, it evolved into a paint fight of sorts. Then the sprinklers came on and that was the end of that.
At the end of the evening, Kleo and myself went and watched movies and drank some of the wine that Ariadne sells. It was fun and we made plans to get together again and have done so. We went out and I taught her to skip rocks. I know, not very exciting, but it was a good way to get to know one another, or at least start to anyway. I told her about my marital situation, only to find out that Aysel had already told her earlier that evening. All in all, I think it was a good way for us to learn a little bit about the other person and we are supposed to get together again.
I also joined a faction but I think I shall keep it to just that, lest someone find this journal and read it.
Oh! I have been trying almost nightly since Djinn created me to eat and drink food. Lately I feel as though I am making some kind of headway toward being able to do so. At least, I think I am. When I first started trying this, whatever I consumed would come back up almost immediately and quite violently. But as time has passed, it will stay down for a few minutes at a time before I have to rush to the nearest bathroom to throw up. The one thing I have noticed though, is that while food smells delicious, it seems to be losing its flavor the more I do this. Whether it is because I have been sick so many times, or simply because my body thinks if I cannot taste it, I will not be sick I do not know. But perhaps one evening soon I will be successful in my endeavor to enjoy a meal. Even if I lose my sense of taste, I can still smell and in my humble opinion, being able to smell the food that has been cooked is well worth the sacrifice of being able to taste it. I long to go to a restaurant and sit down to eat when Fatima comes to visit. I dislike having to either spit the food in a napkin or run to the restroom to expel it as quietly as I am able. Time will tell whether or not I am successful in my retraining my body to not reject food and drink.
I thanked Djinn for making me the other evening when we had occasion to talk. While I was not happy when I was first turned, I have grown to like this life quite a lot and were it not for him, I would never have had the opportunities I have had. Fatima is in town for a couple of weeks, but once she returns to Saudi Arabia, she will begin work on a home for orphaned children. I am pleased that this will give her something to do since she has had so much free time since Father’s death. Once again, the halls of my family home will ring with the laughter of children. Not that they rang when it as just Ibrahim and I, but you get the point and if you don’t, then I am not explaining ti to you. You’re a book, yours is not to question me, but rather to dump my thoughts in and clear my mind and let me say, you do a very good job of that for me.
I suppose shall close this for now. At least I am getting better about making entries, right? Until next time, Peace be upon you journal.
-Zakar El-Sayed
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 20 Mar 2014, 05:34
by Zakar
I did forget to add a couple of things and so I find myself once more with my pen in hand. A man named Jonah came to talk to me about Aysel. Of all the people he could have gone to and asked about her, he came to me. I want to see Aysel happy, after all she does deserve it. So, I gave Jonah the best advice I could on how to speak to Aysel. Hopefully it got through his head and he tries doing the things I suggested, otherwise I am unsure what to do to help him out other than speaking to Aysel on his behalf.
I have perfected my aim with guns and someone was kind enough to give me an evaluation of sorts on how good of a gun I currently use is. As it turns out, the one I own is not bad at all. It does seem to burn through a fair amount of ammunition, but such things are easily replaced and I have found hacking to be a very lucrative means of earning money, even if it is not entirely legal. Alright, I shall be honest, it is NOT legal, but even so, it IS fun. I have begun to teach myself how to build scripts too, so that will be another means of income or perhaps something I can donate to anyone who might show an interest in learning how to hack.
Each night is an adventure, one that I look forward to and I hope I have many more in my time upon this earth.
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 26 Mar 2014, 02:10
by Zakar
I fail to see why people feel the need to rip one another apart verbally, whether it be in person or upon the thing called Crownet. Such things lead me to sometimes ponder whether or not I would be better off simply staying silent altogether. It also leads me to wonder why I stay at all sometimes. Yes, I understand that not everyone is able to get along, but I still think that things could be handled in a better way, perhaps with an impartial mediator as opposed to injuring someone.
Which reminds me, I need to find a locksmith to change locks at one of my recently acquired properties. I despise the previous owner who gave out several keys, then sold it without changing the locks. Make a note to start looking into this upon rising tomorrow night. For tonight, I suppose I will just have to trust that there will be no home invasions. Just because a person has keys from the previous owner, does not mean that they have the right to enter the home once it has been sold to another.
I suppose in the meantime I will just have to keep a better eye out for intruders.
Re: Scheherazade's tales
Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 03:31
by Zakar
Sometimes, Djinn really pisses me off. It seems to me, that he could have afforded me the common courtesy to come speak to me himself with regards to Fatima and her fate, but instead he chose to send my best friend to do so. The options were laid out for me, none of which was appealing and it came down to deciding to have her enthralled. I could not have her killed, she is relatively young in the grand scheme of things, a mere forty-three years old with lots of life left in her. Nor could I find it within myself to fake my own death and put her through that so soon on the heels of my fathers death. It was enough that she had already lost one son and the love of her life, why should she have to lose another son?
I suppose the decision will keep everyone safe, Fatima included, but I still find it all distasteful and completely unnecessary. Especially when she had such grand plans for so many that would benefit from. I have no idea how she will accomplish those plans now. I have yet to say anything to her since things have changed for her so drastically. I am, quite honestly, unsure of what to say or tell her. Sorry you had to lose so much because of me? Personally I hope she gets to meet Djinn so she can give him a piece of her mind. I wonder what he would make of her?
I would wish him the best of luck against her, but I am not feeling that charitable right now. I hope that if she ever meets him, she gives him the sharp edge of her tongue!