A to Z prompt - Kethaniya Serlos

[spastic bard]

So I found this little word prompt. I decided to do the compound words table. So far three are done, so I will be posting them on this thread as I go. All of them center around Kethaniya. So far other characters include Keiranthe (her unknown, but somehow loved by all twin.. >.> ), her mother, and Davrem and mention of the rest of the NWN crew. So far A to C are done. C is my favorite. XD; Though A is fun because it shows a side of Keiranthe that is very different from Kethaniya's.

A - Absent-minded


“Kei, if you don’t want to listen to me, just say so. Don’t stare off into the distance and ignore me.”

The sound of his twin’s voice brought Keiranthe back to reality. He looked over at his sister and blinked a few times. She had two dresses in her arms; one a silvery color and the other a dark blue. Oh. Right. She was asking his opinion. Normally he would be amused at his sister acting like a girl, but he had too much on his mind. The 16th birthday was a big deal for with Serlos family, and father had already mentioned an important talk tomorrow morning. He feared exactly what that talk would be about. “Go with the silver, Ani,” he said as he looked away from her, back towards the wall. “My tunic is silver and light blue, so we’ll match. Besides, silver looks better on you.”

“Thank you,” Kethaniya said gratefully as she walked over to her bed and tossed both dresses onto the covers. She turned back to face him with her arms crossed in front of her. “So what were you thinking about so intensely?”

Keiranthe paused before speaking. He didn’t want to burden Kethaniya with this; not tonight. She had enough to deal with as well, seeing as all her potential suitors would be harassing her all night. “You don’t want to know,” he answered with a small smile.

Kethaniya narrowed her eyes. “Tell me,” she insisted.

Keiranthe shrugged. “I was thinking about how great your chambermaid looks naked and in my bed, with me on top of her.”

Keiranthe grinned as he ran out of the room, various objects sailing past his head as he ran down the hall. His sister’s yells echoed behind him. Good to know he could still pull that card and get her flustered, even on the eve of their 16th birthday.

[spastic bard]

Yes, Kethaniya has mommy-issues. Not that sick type, more the "Mommy hurt my self-esteem and didn't pay attention to me" type. This one is a touch longer than the others, and needs some serious editing. However, I like writing Soshia (Keth's mom), she's such a bitch.

B - Blue-eyed


Two figures sat by the dressing table of a large chamber room. The younger girl, maybe in her teens or so, sat in front of the looking glass as the older woman brushed out her hair. The girl stared blankly at her reflection as the woman tugged at her hair and made small sounds of disapproval. “Kethaniya,” the older woman said with a frown, “Is taking care of your hair a foreign concept to you? How many times have I instructed you on this?”

Kethaniya, the younger girl, did her best not to glare at the reflection looking back at her. “Too many,” she answered, “as you put it, mother.”

Her mother tugged on a few more strands as she worked the brush through it. “Honestly, I just don’t know what I should do with you anymore. I have done everything I can to make you act like a lady and treat yourself like one. How do you plan on pleasing your husband?” She clicked her tongue in more sounds of disapproval as she worked through a knot of golden blonde hair.

“I don’t,” Kethaniya answered quietly, a touch of annoyance in her tone. “I’m not getting married till I enter the knighthood.”

Her mother’s hand slipped and gave her hair a painful tug. Kethaniya let out a yelp of pain as she reached back to pull her hair away from her mother’s hands. Her mother took a step back and placed her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes glared at her daughter through the reflection of the looking glass. “We’ve talked about this before,” she said stiffly. “We will not have this argument again. Now sit still so I don’t pull your hair again. Your curls just make this impossible!”

Kethaniya suppressed the urge to roll her eyes at her mother’s comment. She was technically right, since they had the argument many times already. It usually ended with her dear mother crying, throwing things around the room, and calling Kethaniya a shame of a daughter before ordering her out. She was usually in tears as well by the end of it, but never allowed herself to cry till she was out of her mother’s sight. The aftershock of the fight would affect the household for days; her mother would refuse to come out of the room, and Kethaniya would suffer the looks and anger of her father and Sorilee. Thankfully Keiranthe was usually on her side. She looked back at her and her mother’s reflection in the looking glass and tilted her head to the side slightly. What did her mother mean her curls were impossible? They were the same as hers.

As much as Kethaniya hated to admit it, she looked almost exactly like her mother. Both had the same gold blonde hair that was long, falling past their backside when loose. Both had a slight curling wave to it as well. Both had complexions on the pale side, with delicately featured faces and builds. Her mother was a touch shorter than her; maybe a little more round in waist and stomach as well (but Gods be damned if she ever mention that one!). Older too, of course. The only real difference between the two of them was their eyes. Her mother had blue eyes that shifted shades with her moods and her attire. Kethaniya’s were grey, boring, and flat. At least, that’s what her mother would say. Kethaniya knew she was a vain creature, and that she couldn’t fathom why her daughter wasn’t the same way. Appearance was just something that never bothered her. In fact, the only person it seemed to bother was her mother.

“There,” her mother took a step back and gave her daughter a look in mirror. Kethaniya looked back at her through it. “That’s the best I can do with you. Now why don’t you go put on the violet dress? You know the one that gives you a nice bust and a tighter waist.”

Her mother placed the brush down on the dressing table and left the room. Kethaniya waited until her mother closed the door to let out a small sound of frustration.

[spastic bard]

One of my fondest monster runs on the NWN server. Featuring one of Dean's famous characters.

C - Chicken-hearted


Kethaniya always knew that strange things were amiss on the trails between Benzor and Brosnia, but never did she imagine something as strange as what was found at a small farm off the path.

The white-armored paladin brought up her shield in time to bash one of the draconic birds as it flew towards her. A spray of white and red tinted feathers exploded with the thud. She turned to find another one of the small birds stalking towards the dwarf, Davrem. He was backed in the corner, his large shield up over his head and his form cowering. The draconic chicken clucked at him; as threateningly as it could.

Eventually one of the party members walked over and delivered a killing blow to the evil bird. It took a few minutes though, because everyone needed to recover from laughing so hard. Davrem was the only one not amused.

[spastic bard]

So my D&D group just met the NPC version of the sibling this drabble features. Not too happy with this one, but I've been stuck on D for so long I don't really care.

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D - Deep-rooted


The clash of swords and taunts echoed through out the practice room. Soriliee only stopped for a moment to witness the duel occurring below. He leaned his arms upon the balcony railing, eyes narrowing. The twins were at it again. He should have known. If things were loud and unruly it was usually the fault of the twins.

He watched Kethaniya land a blow with the flat of her blade against Keiranthe’s unprotected side. Keiranthe cursed and throw down his sword. Kethaniya’s laugh rang out, eventually followed by Keiranthe’s. Soriliee rolled his eyes. He just didn’t understand how the two of them could stand to be around each other so often. He didn’t understand how any of the siblings could be around each other. He found all of their company lacking.

Rylindeth was always busy, but somehow he always managed to exchange stories with the twins and Mariannia. Soriliee just brushed him off as old and cranky. Mariannia favored both of the twins because she helped raise them. Soriliee didn’t need her involved in his life because mother had loved him the most. She was just an overbearing busybody. And the twins…

Soriliee watched quietly as Keiranthe settled down and started to cast a spell. Kethaniya sat next to him and watched with apt curiousity, her practice blade across her lap. The twins were so caught up with each other despite being so different. It was the thing that bothered Soriliee the most. The twins should have been close to him; they were full siblings, after all. At least Keiranthe, who he was like in every way. He could care less about Kethaniya. Yet Keiranthe favored his sister’s company. Soriliee blamed it on the twin bond. He couldn’t imagine Keiranthe actually enjoying Kethaniya’s company. She was a failure. She couldn’t do anything right. The only reason she was good with a sword was because she didn’t have the intelligence to cast like the rest of them.

“Sori, come down here and chat with us!”

Soriliee sneered. Both of the twins were looking at him now. Kethaniya was the one who spoke; Keiranthe was just glaring at him. Soriliee rolled his eyes again and walked away from the balcony. Kethaniya didn’t deserve his response, and he didn’t like the look on Keiranthe’s face. The siblings could have their little bond; Soriliee had better things to do.

[spastic bard]

This is me not doing my paper. I hate the wrong muse attacks. I love writing for my characters, but I really need my academic inspiration to come back!

Anyway, this is pre-Keth leaving home after her Grandfather dies in battle.

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E – Empty-handed


Lord Seiwan watched the girl before him carefully with his hands folded on his desk. She sat across from him on the other side. She was stiff in her chair, staring forward but eyes unseeing. He was sure she had heard what he said, but her lack of a response was worrisome. “Squire Serlos,” he said softly, giving her a concerned look. “Did you hear what I said?”

The squire looked directly at him. “Yes sir,” She murmured softly as she looked down again. “I heard you.”

The Lord heaved a sigh. This sort of conversation was never easy. It didn’t help that Ryley had been one of the best. It also didn’t help that his granddaughter and ex-squire was so young - barely 15 summers. Seiwan knew she was far from fragile, but the sight of her on the chair before him; a forced expression of professionalism on her pretty face; it was heart breaking. “Kethaniya,” he said quietly, watching her expression for any displeasure at the lack of a title. “You must contact your mother and father. Arrangements need to be made for an honorary ceremony,” he paused, hesitant to add the last part. “I’m afraid there was no body so it is the best that can be done. Not to worry though, Sir Ryley will have no trouble finding Torm’s path in the afterlife.”

Kethaniya looked up again and nodded slightly. Her expression had shifted to one of disbelief. “No body?” She questioned quietly, “What about his banner? And his armor? What about his sword?”

Lord Seiwan shook his head. “There was nothing,” he said. “Nothing left except for the remains of the fires and the marks of the attack.”

“Nothing…” She looked down again at the floor. “I find it hard to believe that nothing remains of him…”

“That is why we have our memories, I guess.” The Lord said softly as he turned back to his work. “You are dismissed, Squire Serlos. I’ll send word to Lady Eldrea that you cannot return to her service just yet. No doubt she’ll be harassing you about it; she missed you.”

Kethaniya seemed not to hear. Slowly the girl stood up and turned to leave the room. Lord Seiwan looked up to watch her leave with a heavy heart. He’d send Eldrea after her as soon as he got the chance. No doubt she would be better to comfort the poor child after such a loss.

[spastic bard]

So I finally decided to take a break from Keth's early life and fast forward a bit. This one features her two kids as well. Keth and Aura are mine, Tristan belongs to Kev.

F- Far-fetched

“You’re lying.”

Kethaniya looked over at the kitchen table, one brow raised gently. Her daughter sat with her arms crossed in front of her and her eyes narrowed. Keth fought the urge to laugh. Barely six years of age, little Aurania had a fierce sense of pride. Tristan sat next to his sister impassively; his gaze out the window. Despite appearing uninterested, Keth sensed he had been listening just has closely as his big sister.

“Aura,” Keth said with a small smile. “You shouldn’t accuse people of lying so easily. Have I ever lied to you before?”

Aura seemed to consider the question for a moment before shaking her head. “No,” she answered, “but you’re lying now. There is no way any of that is true.”

“Why is that?” Keth asked quietly as she turned to face the table.

“Because. If that was all true you’d be married to a rich lord and live in a castle,” Aura answered quickly, “and since Daddy is just a farmer there is no way he could have married you if you were a noble. That isn’t how it goes.”

Sometimes she wondered where Aura got her ideas from. “Aura,” Keth said carefully, “sometimes things happen in unexpected ways. It was my decision to leave my family, not marry a rich lord, and come here.”

Aura stared at her as she answered. “Why?”

“Why what?”

Aura stood up in her chair, her tone indignant. “Why would you do that? No one would do that!”

Keth sighed again as she placed a hand on her forehead. “Aura, I’m not explaining this to you right now. Take your dishes and wash them out back. Grab Tristan’s as well.”

Aura jumped down from her chair and grabbed her dish. She stomped out of the room past her brother; ignoring his dish, and past Keth into the other room. Keth winced as she heard a small crash and something along the lines of “Mommy is a liar” as Aura stormed up the stairs. Keth looked up at the ceiling with another sigh. Had she known Aura’s reaction she never would have answered the question. Her daughter had a touch of dramatic flair found in neither of her or Gavin. It was more fitting of her uncle, really. In fact, part of her wondered if her uncle was to blame for the sudden question about the Serlos family…

“… Aura shouldn’t say things like that…”

Keth looked over at Tristan as he broke into her thoughts. He was still seated at the table and watching her from his chair. He shifted his gaze downwards as he grabbed his plate and stood up, “You’d never lie to us,” he mumbled as he walked past Keth into the other room. She heard him shuffle around and pick up Aura’s discarded plate. Smiling faintly, Keth shook her head and returned to her work.

[spastic bard]

Another break from past-Keth. This is from the time Keth spends in Sarah's world. She had some god issues that took awhile to work out, but thankfully she was adopted by water!

G – Guild-stricken

Kethaniya felt the rays of sunlight on her face before she opened her eyes. A quick glance out the window told her it was a little before sunrise. Apparently her sleep patterns were getting a bit more accurate.

Mornings no longer seemed as wonderful as they had before coming to this world. Even though the breeze from outside carried a promise of a beautiful day, she could no longer feel anything beyond it. It was a strange, almost fearful feeling for someone who had always felt something beyond the tangible. It seemed as if she would never get used to it.

Keth couldn’t shake the feeling that this was some sort of punishment from her god. She still believed she had made the right choice to venture here and help a tormented man… He just happened to be someone she cared for greatly and had been missing quite a bit. Perhaps for that reason her god had decided to turn his back on her.

She knew Gavin had a similar problem at first, but another goddess had taken watch over him. So far no one had taken watch over her the same way. It made her worry. Maybe the gods here had deemed her unworthy because of her slight against Torm. Maybe she had somehow lost her powers just by crossing over to this world. Maybe she had chosen wrong. Maybe her place wasn’t next to Gavin at all, but rather back at Benzor or Brosna and protecting the people…

Keth forced her eyes closed. Dwelling on it was useless. Unable to hear the voices or movements of her fellow companions in the other rooms, Keth allowed herself to drift back to sleep. Her guilt was left beyond on the lull of ocean waves echoing in her dreams.