"No!" The girl's scream was full of anguish and pain. "Please! Mother! No!"
The older woman looked down on the teenage girl with no pity. "Don't whine child. It's pathetic."
"Mother! I can't marry him! I don't love him." Sakui felt tears coming to her eyes. She grabbed the woman's hands and fell to her knees. She pressed the hands to her forehead. "Please mother! Please! I beg of you! I'm in love with Nikar!"
The mother quickly pulled her hands away. "Nikar is dead! You'll marry the Lord Holder's son and that's that."
Her heart broke in that single second. "Dead? How?"
"The fool boy dared to demand your hand. You're father defended your honour."
"He what?" Sakui clenched her fists, hating her family even more than before.
"Defended you, you worthless child! You'll marry the Lord Holder's son and you'll serve him well." The mother began quickly walking to the door.
"But I shall die if he has to touch me! My body is not his." Sakui ran to the door and stood in front of it.
"Than die." Her mother calmly pushed by her and slammed the door behind her.
Sakui collapsed to the ground sobbing. Her ribs hurt from the effort and her knees hurt from the fall. She bit her tongue accidentally, which only added to her sobbing. "How can she be so cruel? How can she not care?" Sakui wiped her eyes quickly, remembering the dagger under her bed. Her mind became completely clear as she raised the sharp blade to the light. "If Nikar cannot have me, no one can." It seemed rash and drastic, she knew, but she also knew that she couldn't let her mother win. She sat upon her bed and let a few more tears fall as she ran her finger along the blade. "My love to you always and forever Nakir...'til the end of existance...I will be yours." In a sudden move she raised the blade and thrust it into her chest. She collapsed unmoving on the bed, blood pouring from her broken body, as the curtain dropped and the crowd rose to their feet applauding.
* * * "Sakui!" Jera ran to her and hugged her as soon as she left the stage. "That was amazing! You make my part so hard!" The woman who'd been the evil mother grabbed the suffering daughter's hand and they took their final bow to a standing ovation.
As soon as they were off stage, Sakui grabbed her waterskin, took a good long drink and tossed it to Jera. "Your job hard? You have any idea how hard it is to sob for a candlemark straight?"
Jera poured some of the water into her short brown hair and grinned. "Poor baby."
Sakui laughed and clasped her hands together dramatically. "My love to you always and forever Nakir, 'til the end of existance, I will be yours."
The other actress collapsed in hysterics. "Not the best writing, I'll admit." She assumed a mock stern position and pointed at her friend. "Then die!"
The two actresses were still giggling when 'Nakir' himself appeared. "What are you two doing down here? Party upstairs! They loved us!"
The two friends both raised a brow at the other actor, whose real name was Rikaran. Rik grinned. "Okay...we did the best with a short cast, horrible director and we helped a dreary and tedious Threadfall become less dreary and tedious. The dragons aren't back yet so a bunch of us are planning on getting really drunk and trying to pick up some girls. Wanna come?"
They looked at each other, than back to their older co-worker. "Will Jenit be there?" Jenit was the director and writer of the painful play they were just forced to perform. He was also a Master of the Arts and their teacher. Although he couldn't write to save his life, he was a very nice man, well into his 60's, who let them call him by his real name opposed to Master. according the Jerit, 'it was too formal for a free spirit of the arts'. He also had a nasty reputation for his 'celebrations' with the young female actress' after the play. Jera and Sakui both tried to avoid him at all costs if he was going to be celebrating, if he tried anything the two apprentices couldn't stop him.
Rik laughed. "Yes. But he's already got his hands around Adriani, so you don't need to worry. Besides," The actor put one arm around each of his two friends. " you guys are like sisters to me. I wouldn't let him touch you."
Jera slipped out of his grasp. "You wouldn't have a choice. Hate to be a rotten egg, but I'm tired and sweaty. I'm going to the bathes and then to bed. See ya at rehersal tomorrow." The woman waved and disappeared into the dressing room.
"She never wants to party." Mikel entered the dressing room and stole Sukai away from Rik. "But you do, don't ya?" The older man kissed her. In this Hold, actresses tended to have a reputation for things other than acting. Jera, almost 30, was old enough to disappear after a performance without raising questions, she was a grown woman. Sakui was only 18 and people expected her to give 'encore performances'.
Screw this. Sakui bit his lip hard. He cursed at her and threw her against the wall, bruising her arm. "Shardin' wherry." Mikel stormed off, looking for a more willling actress.
She smirked. "Sorry Rik. You're like a brother to me, but brothers don't stop scum like that." She quickly followed Jera into the dressing room.
The older actress, wearing nothing but a towel, jumped when Sukai entered, but wasn't really surprised. "Mikel just wants a little fun. Dance with him for a while, kiss a bit and he'll pass out in his dinner. You could do worse. Some of the Hold-folk around here are very violent with their 'actresses'." The room that they were now in was actual the female's dressing room and bathes all in one. It was carved from the rock of the Hall and heated water filled a pool in the middle of the large room about 7' in diameter. Sections were curtained off for changing, but all actresses were expected to either bathe together, or wait their turn.
Sukai sighed and stepped behind a curtain to get rid of her costume. It was slowly strangling her. "I just don't think that because I performed for them on stage, I have to perform in bed."
"I agree. It's not fair. It's an age-old stereotype that you can fight. You haven't given into it yet." Jera dropped her towel and stepped into the pool of steaming hot water, sighing as she felt the sweat and dirt dissolve. "But you raise the ranks a lot faster if you do."
Sukai entered the bathing room again, towel clutched around her. "Did you?" She sat on the warm rocks at the edge of the pool and dipped her toes in the water.
Jera, even though she was almost twice Sukai's age, was Sakui's only female friend. Daughter of an unknown pair of dragonriders, Sukai was fostered to Nyterwyrm Hold as an infant. She was raised their under the care of a Harper until she was 10. She had never really like or trusted the Harper, who seemed to care only that Sukai was fed and clothed and out of his hair. At the age of ten, she'd been apprenticed to Jenit and he'd raised her in the Hall. She'd known Jera since then and the older women doubled as older sister and mother.
Jera nodded and plunged her head under the water, getting the grim out of her hair. "I didn't really have a good excuse to disappear behind scenes, and I did want Jenit's approval."
"That's horrible." Sakui loved acting. She loved pretending to be someone she wasn't. She loved being dramatic. She loved making people laugh, or cry or even making them angry. She hated the expectations that followed her where ever she went. "Why?"
"Come here and let me wash your hair." Sukai obediantly removed her towel and sat in front of the older woman. Jera untied the clasp that held Sukai's long black hair in place and began running her fingers through it. "It probably started when some bimbo years ago decided sleeping with the director would get her the lead."
There were a few moments of silence as Sukai realized what Jera was telling her. "You're saying that I better get a bit more open-minded if I'm going to stay in the Hall."
"No I'm not." Jera didn't sound very convinced. "I'm just saying that I heard people talking, Rikaran for example. He says that you don't let any one touch you...at all. It makes the others...worried...and edgy..." Jera sighed. "I'm not explaining it very well." Jera grabbed three towels, one for herself, one for Sukai and one for Sukai's hair. She wrapped her towel around herself and sat on the warm rocks. "It's just that people act a certain way around actresses. They expect us to behave like all the other actresses behave. When you don't, it makes people uncomfortable."
"Then let them be uncomfortable!" Sukai stamped her foot and climbed out of the pool. "I'm not here for their amusement." Jera smirked as Sukai sighed. "Well, we are there for their amusement, but not like that!"
"I know Sukai, I know." Jera squeezed Sukai's arm. "I just think you're going to have a hard time at this unless you loosen up a little."
Sukai sighed. "There's gotta be a better way of doing things."
Jera gave Sukai a regretful half-smile. "Sorry kid. Not around here." Sukai bit her lip in silence for a few minutes. "Hey," Jera smiled and tipped Sukai's head up. "We just finished a rather well done performance of a rather poorly written play. Let's get dressed and see if the guys are still partying."
Sukai half-smiled. "I guess."
* * * "How do I look?" Sukai twirled once and struck a pose.
Jera laughed. "Perfect. Let's go." The two actresses entered the Hall where the 'party' was being held. By the time they entered the dragonriders had returned from saving the planet once again and they were beginning to drink as well. Jera smiled at some of the riders she recognized and was soon in a friendly discussion with a green-rider she'd grown up with, leaving Sukai to her own devices.
* * * Okay. Sukai told herself. You wanna be an actress. You wanna stay at the Hall. You better loosen up. Jera did it, you can too. Come on. Although not the prettiest girl there, Sukai knew she wasn't that bad. Her hair was long, very long, black and silky. Her skin was a beautiful chocolate colour and practically unmarred since the girl had never done any difficult work. Her eyes were a very dark brown and she'd been complimented on her smile many times. It wasn't that hard to find an older actor who wanted to dance with her.
* * * Jera smiled as the green-rider retired to her weyr and began searching for Sukai. I hope she's okay. The older actress was beginning to regret her advice. I just hate to see her struggle so. She's one of the best actresses I know and Jerit's so hard on her. The other actor's make it worse by avoiding her like the plague. If she just befriended some of them... Jera sighed, remembering her own teenage years at the Hall. She shouldn't have to do this. If only there were some way to get her out of this without...
"Either you had a talk with Sukai or some weird creature's inhabited her body." Rikaran surprised Jera by interupting her train of thought and twirling her across the dance floor. "Decided to party after all?"
"I just came to look out for Sukai. I hated to break the news to her, but you heard Jerit." Jera continued to dance with Rik, giving them a chance to talk.
Rik sighed. "I know, I know. If she doesn't become part of the team, she's off the team. Old tunnelsnake."
"She's so young." Jera bit her lip.
"She's eighteen. That's how old we both were when we arrived here and we survived." Rik stole glances over Jera's shoulder to where Sukai was dancing with Mikel.
"She's right though. She shouldn't have to do this just to stay in the Hall." Jera began thinking of alternatives again. "If there's only something I could do..."
Rik grinned. "How 'bout something I could do?"
"What?" Jera's eyebrows came together as she didn't like was Rik was implying. "You wouldn't. She's like your sister."
Rik kissed Jera on the forehead. "I'm an actor. I'll improvise."
"Rik!" Jera was left standing on the dance floor, wondering what the man was going to do.
* * * I can't believe I'm doing this. Sakui laughed as Mikel said something that was supposed to be a joke, but really wasn't that funny. The older man put his hand around her waist and tried to kiss her. Sakui closed her eyes and prayed that this would be over quick.
"Hey!" Rik knocked Mikel out of the way and kissed Sukai. "There you are! Trying to get away huh?"
"Rik?" Sukai was confused. He began kissing her neck and she whispered into his ear. "What in the name of the Red Star are you doing?"
"Saving you." He whispered back. "Thank me later." He winked once, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, making sure everyone noticed. "C'mon now Sakui. You're mine forever...you said so."
"That was in the play you lunkhead!!" Mikel looked like he might start a fight.
"Wait your turn Mikel." Rik turned, smiling at Mikel. The older actor stood head and shoulders over the younger apprentice.
Mikel slowly backed off. "Fine."
Rik laughed and carried Sakui off to his room, spewing vulgarities and laughing. He flung open the door, threw her on the bed and tossed his shirt to one of the people who'd been following him. "Sorry." He smirked and cuffed one of them on the arm. "Private showing." They all snickered and Rikaran shut the door in their faces. "Idiots." Rik turned back to Sukai...and got clubbed with a candlestick. The candle broke and rolled along the ground, but the brass holder was fine. Rikaran's head wasn't. "Shards and shells girl!! What did you do that for?" Rik cupped his hand over his bleeding head.
"I'm not going to let you touch me Rik!" Sakui was panicking.
"You were going to let Mikel." Rikaran had only been trying to get Sukai out of there, but he couldn't help feeling a little vengeful.
To his surprise Sukai actually appeared thoughtful. She bit her lip and glared at him. "No I wouldn't have. If he had tried it, I would have killed him." She dropped the candle holder and sat down on the bed. "Guess now I've got to start looking elsewhere for work."
Rik sighed and smiled. "You're something else Sukai, and I really mean that."
The actress raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I wasn't going to touch you. I wouldn't. Jera regrets everything she said, but didn't want to get you in more trouble. I rescue you and you beam me with a candle holder and then expect me to get you thrown out. I don't get you."
Sukai smiled. "Sorry. Guess I'm just a little edgy."
"Would you really have hit Mikel?"
Sukai nodded.
Rikaran grinned. "Damn. Should have let him have you."
Sukai swatted him.
* * * Jera smiled as she saw Rik drag Sukai off. Good one. Scare her to death. You'll be lucky if she doesn't kill you.
"Jera! My darling! Wonderful production!" Jenit hugged her and kissed her cheeks. She backed away as soon as he released her. Jenit smiled. "Looks like Sakui's finally opened up."
Jera smiled. "Yes."
"Good girl that. Good actress too. Tell her to come to the auditions tomorrow. We could use a team player like that. Open to everyone, friendly...glad I apprenticed her." Jenit wandered off muttering to himself and looking for Adriani.
Jera smirked to herself, dodged a few passes and escaped to her room. She silently congratulated Sakui and Rik. Brilliant performance.
* * * Four turns later... "That was beautiful! Amazing! One more time! From the top!" Jenit clapped and wiped a tear from his eyes as Sakui, Rikaran and Jera finished rehearsing their scene for the one millionth time that day.
"UGH!!" Jera flopped down on a cushion. "Rest Jenit. Please!" She got down on her knees with false dramatics. "Please!"
Rikaran laughed and flopped down beside her. "If I have to say those lines one more time I'll go crazy!"
Jenit raised a brow and sighed. "I suppose we could break for a few moments so the weak can rest." The old master stood up and stretched. "I don't get how you three can claim to be so exhausted. I've been here longer than you and I haven't even broken a sweat." He left the room, closing the door behind him.
A pillow, thrown by Jera, followed him. "You just sat on your fanny while we worked you old wherry!"
Sakui laughed and sat down beside her friends. "Not so loud. He'll hear you."
"I hope he hears me!" Jera fumed. "Why are we the ones forced to act out his pathetic attempts at writing anyways?"
Rik laughed. "Because we're his senior apprentices and he can make us."
"It's not that bad." Sakui took a long drink of water. "We could be those poor fools who come here expecting to be actors and actresses and stay only to do the menial work. At least technically, we're acting."
"Acting like we enjoy working for him." Jera sighed. "But you're right. Every now and then he does happen upon a half decent play."
"Yeah." Rik agreed. "And we're well known around the area. He has us on stage almost every Threadfall."
"We have steady stable positions that aren't likely to get usurped." Jera added.
"He writes plays especially for us." Sakui mentioned.
"We're doing what we always wanted to do." Rikaran crossed his arms and laid back against one of the pillows.
There was a moment of silence as the three friends looked at each other. Finally Sakui cracked. "I'm bored!!"
"You're telling me!" Jera agreed.
"All of his plays have the same basic theme! We've practically been doing the same play for four turns straight." Rik whined.
They all sighed and sat back. "So what are we going to do?" Jera asked.
"What can we do?" Rikaran crossed his ankles.
"We could leave." Sakui finally said quietly.
The three looked at each other, contemplating this idea. "Where would we go?" Jera, althought the oldest there, sounded like a lost little girl.
"Does it matter?" Rik snapped. "We're rotting here."
"A Weyr." Sakui spoke like she'd been thinking of this for a long time, which she had. "We could go to a Weyr. It wouldn't be acting like here, but we could write our own stuff...stuff that people actually want to see."
"Planning on running off on me?" Jenit had entered so quietly that none of them had heard him. They all blushed and stared open mouthed as their old master glared down at them. "Just brush me off like yesterday's news eh?"
"It's not like that master," Jera hurried to explain. "It's just...we feel..." She struggled for words that weren't insulting.
"We're bored." Sakui said it straight out. "I'm tired of playing basically the same character over and over."
"So you want something new do you?" Jenit looked angry.
"Yes." Sakui didn't back down. She was going to make her point and something was going to change around here.
"How do you feel about dragon riding?" A strange man entered the room. The three friend stared blankly at him.
Jenit smiled. "She's a little tongue tied right now, but Sakui would love to go, Searchrider G'ran."
For the first time in her life, Sakui stuttered. "S-s-s-searchrider?"
Master Jenit cringed. "Don't stutter. I've taught you better than that. Now run along and get your things girl." He patted her shoulder. "By the way, Rikaran and Jera, you're both going to Adanuk Weyr as preformers. It's about time you flew the coop. No one wants to stay here forever."
"You're not mad?" Sakui was confused.
"No, but I made you think I was." He grinned. "Guess there's still some acting left in these old bones."
Sakui sighed, relieved. "Old bones or no, you gave me the scare of my life!" She raced off to her room to gather a few things. Searched...I'm Searched...me....wow.... She was having a few problems forming logical thought. She raced downstairs and met Stergroth, the dragon who searched her, for the first time.
"Be careful Sukai!" Jera hugged her close.
"Call us when the eggs start rocking." Rik made her promise and then smiled. "After all, we're at a Weyr. We'll find a ride."
Sukai mounted the brown search dragon with a tear in her eye. She was leaving her friends, her Hall, her Master, everything...but she couldn't stop smiling. After all...I wanted something new...
* * *
Sakui is a candidate at Tiynarea Weyr.
Sakui's picture from Chibi Ningyo's Adoption Center.
Background from Enchanted Backgrounds.
