Thread: Forest of the Sapphisari [FxF] (Raina_Reader X Javorcek)

That is impossible, no beings can survive without males to sire children. Even animals come in two genders for the sake of procreating. How could there possibly be a city of -only- these female creatures? And who would do all the tasks that men did? Sasha knew she was an oddity, not many females went into the blacksmithing profession - usually they would go into jewelcrafting or some other skilled trade that did not require so much muscle. But Sasha was tall and broad shouldered, built like her father, and nearly strong as him too...few women shared her stature. How did this city survive if men did not do the heavy lifting required in carpentry or brandish the strength required when working the land? When the creature came closer to Sasha with the waterskin, the young blacksmith shrank away, pursing her lips more determinedly now. The mercenaries had told tales of potions and tonics that could make a man go mad, of tortures that could cause a person to willingly beg for death. Sasha was not about to lose her wits for the sake of staving off her thirst. She shook her head, refusing to drink when the leather was pressed to her lips. It was only when the stubborn smith was forced to open her mouth did some of the fluid work its way into her mouth unwillingly, causing the young girl to cough, sputter, and glare daggers at the creature who acted as if this were all okay, as if it were normal for people to be bound to a pillar and then told that they would forget everything of their old life, including their names. ---------- Why not charge more for your goods to travelers like all the other shops in town do, father? Travelers pass through here all the time, it's not like you'd ever see that man again. Because that is bad business. Besides, I do not wish for him to speak ill of me and my wares. Sasha looked at her father quizically because that seemed to be the whole point of business to make a profit. And as for speaking ill of her father and his goods, all the other blacksmiths in the city routinely insulted one another's goods and services in an attempt to steer customers their own way. The old blacksmith smiled kindly to his daughter and began to explain, Businesses fail. The house could burn down, I could be ambushed by bandits or struck by disease. The king could decide to take everything from me in the name of war, my home, my shop, enlist you and your brother into the army... But my good name is something that can never be taken away from me. Even if I had nothing tangible in this world, I would still have my name and reputation. That is why it is important to be fair and just, Sasha. Many blacksmiths can make a quality sword, but I'm sure that man would come back here because not all blacksmiths are polite and fair when it comes to their prices. It does no good in the long run to swindle someone and make a profit now. That customer will leave this place and will remark on how he was treated here when he goes to the next town, perhaps if he speaks favorably of me, more travelers will stop into this shop. Your word, your honor, your name...these are the things that no one can take from you, these are the things that matter. It is important that you remember that, Sasha. -------------- Due to her father, Sasha's name was everything to the young blacksmith. And right now, the thought of him and her old life...the girl had never felt like a child... but right now, she did. Mother had died of sickness when she was six and from that point on, the girl had been thrust into adulthood by a father who had no idea what to do with children, but plenty of knowledge when it came to how to handle an apprentice. Most of her childhood was spent working, not throwing tantrums or crying...but right now, when told that she would be stuck in this place, that she would not be able to leave, that she would be forced into some mad ritual concocted by savage beasts in the woods... the girl teared up from more than physical pain. I will not be a part of your ritual! I would rather die here, now, than live and not be able to go back home.