Sipho Dumisani

Dumisani Coven Leader | Witch Elder | 165 | Vievecor City Fire Department Chief [Vievecor City RPG]

[vievecorcityrp]

SIPHO DUMISANI

GENDER: He/Him

SPECIES: Witch | Dumisani Coven | Transmutation, Animation, Elemental (Fire)

AGE: 165

SEXUALITY: Pansexual

OCCUPATION: VC Fire Department Chief | Witch Elder

DISTRICT: Droitwich

HEADCANONS:

Sipho has been the leader of the Dumisani coven for over 50 years. He currently leads the coven alongside his sister Sizani. Sipho has an extremely strong sense of family and is very protective over them. This great sense of family and community often transfers into how he treats those around him and is known to offer sanctuary where it’s needed and take people under his wing.

At the beginning of his time as coven leader, Sipho had plans to expand the Dumisani coven’s reach and influence but eventually came to realise that it was best for himself and the reputation of the Dumisani coven that the Remington coven continue to lead.

Sipho is excellent at body centre magic, with a preference for transmutation, animation and elemental (specifically fire) which aids him in his occupation as Chief of the Vievecor City Fire Department.

As many generations of the Dumisani have, he takes residence in the top level of the Dumisani building. He is equally happy to spend time at home as he is travelling the world, which was something he did for many years in his youth, to get a deeper understanding the origins of their powers and how best to utilize them. He also studied plant magic and formed a close bond with the Elven population.

He has a familiar that takes the form of a Komodo dragon. His familiar is known to be very protective over Sipho and is often first to warn him should he suspect anything is amiss.

The only coven to be entrusted with Necromancy, this is another field Sipho takes a special interest in and he finds himself consumed with finding out more about this type of magic to learn more about the forces of life and death.

PERSONALITY: Patient, Wise, Humorous, Brave, Unyielding, Intimidating, Loyal, Protective, Level Headed

CHARACTER TYPE: Premade - Sipho Dumisani

BLOG: @siphodumisani

[siphodumisani]

Sipho grunted with amusement. “I’m not sure how insulted I should be.” He chuckled, “If you want,” The response came easily, but he paused tactfully before adding, “Sure you wouldn’t rather swap me out for another member of the fire department?”

“I can…” Sipho responded, “You could always go to the Remington coven, as much as I hate to admit it, they’re the experts in that particular field. They might be able to give you a better answer. Just don’t tell Remington I said he was better than me at something. Won’t do his ego any good.” Sipho teased, quietly chuckling.

[naz-ulusoy]

"It's a compliment. You're patient and determined." Naz regretted her compliment when teasing was thrown back her way. The elder's mouth dropped open in surprise from Sipho's teasing. How did he know about that as well? Surely she wasn't so obvious that everyone in town knew about her thing for Caleb. "I don't think he'd want me to photograph him," she answered, narrowing her eyes in his direction. It suddenly felt very high school and she tried to shake it off despite the tint of pink on her cheeks giving her away.

The spirit knew that he'd suggest the Remington's but she hoped to have gotten some hints of practictioners before he did. "And what if I don't trust the Remington coven?" she asked. It wasn't a good look for Naz to point fingers at another leader's group so she'd kept it to herself. "There's to many links with the crimes of Artemis and Elijah's coven. I like him but I don't know if I can trust his judgement." Unlike Elijah, she knew she could trust Sipho completely because of their past.

[siphodumisani]

“Who, Randy?” Sipho replied, glancing out of the window in his office to one of the human workers he had in the force, who promptly waved at him. Sipho grinned when his gaze returned to Naz, knowing full well that man wasn’t the one they were talking about. “I’m sure he’d be happy to be photographed by you.” He continued to tease her, before softening.

The mood had somewhat turned and Sipho sighed, “I know.” He replied earnestly, “and I can’t tell you how to feel, especially when I can understand why you might feel that way.” The coven had been under fire for some time now and it was increasingly difficult to defend it, despite some of its defending good qualities. “Alright, then I’ll find someone that you can trust,” Sipho promised her, “I’ll see what I can find out for myself first and if I don’t come up with anything useful, I’ll find someone who can. How does that sound?”

[siphodumisani]

For: @teddy-byrne

Continued from: here

Later that evening, Sipho left for Teddy’s home. Fear might have been spreading across the city, but Sipho wasn’t going to let that deter him, not when what they needed was level-headedness.

Vincente might have been his first port-of-call, but given that the man currently was out of the city on business, Sipho was under the impression perhaps his fledgling was the best person to speak to.

Sipho locked his car and headed to the front door of the property, where he knocked. “Mr Byrne… thank you for having me.” The Dumisani leader greeted when the vampire came to the door, his voice a soft, low rumble. “How are you?”

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy prefered business meetings to happen in his office. This..however, fell into a slightly different category. It was interest. Not in the in the form of a contract or an offer but questions about an incident involving two of his men. This was also Byrne's first time meeting the head of the Dumisani and he knew he had to give a good impression so, yes..Teddy answered the door himself, his blue eyes landing on the man's face immediately. "Mr. Dumisani." he bowed his head politely, moving to the side, "The pleasure is all mine. I'm..well, I suppose. Should we take this to my living room?" Leading the man down the hallway, the vampire gestured at him to take one of the couches and stopped beside the mini bar, picking up his blood wine. "..fancy a drink before we begin? My staff have prepared a little..aperitif and some finger food, if you like."

[siphodumisani]

Sipho nodded and followed the vampire’s lead into his home, where he took a seat on one of the sofa’s. “That’s kind of you. I’ll take the drink, if you don’t mind.” It felt like the occasion perhaps called for it. “Rum, if you have it. Thanks.”

“How are the two members of your clan who were attacked?” He asked, “I sorry I don’t know they’re names, but I hear they were able to make a full recovery.” Sipho paused for a moment before continuing, “I was hoping we could discuss it. I know Vicente might prefer to keep certain details within the clan and I respect that, but my intention is to gain an understanding on where the Rosu and perhaps the wider vampire community stand against Artemis, particularly given the recent two attacks. Council meetings are few and far between and I feel as though conversations aren’t being had nearly enough. If we’re to make sense of the things that are going on in our city, at the very least we need to make an effort to understand what is going on within each community. At least, that’s how I feel. Chaos breeds chaos, after all…”

[siphodumisani]

“I see.” Sipho nodded with understanding, while he might not have recognised the man in front of him, he was familiar with the lab created by Vivian Ambrose. “Does that make you a researcher?” He asked curiously and reached out his hand to meet Chris’ in a firm shake. “That would be me. Nice to meet you, Chris. What can I help you with?”

[chris-elkar]

"That's exactly what it makes me." He smiled and shook Sipho's hand. "Someone gave me magic tea and that got me curious about magic plants. I have idea where to start though, and since it's your specialty I was hoping you all could give me an entry point." He gestured to the garden around them and shrugged. "At the very least I was going to find a plant the looks cool and start reading about it."

[siphodumisani]

Sipho huffed through his nose with amusement. “I’m more curious about what happened while under the influence of this magic tea, personally, but—“ Sipho paused, the corner of his lips quirking as he released Chris’ hand. “I guess that depends if you have a particular area you want to start with. We have plants that can do all sorts of things here. But the elves help us, we can’t take all of the credit.”

“Given your field, is it medical,” He asked, “Or is this more of a hobby?”

[masonsgooding]

Aldis Hodge in The Invisible Man (2020)

[siphodumisani]

For: @chris-elkar

The state of the city weighing heavily on his mind, Sipho decided to attempt to take a break from it and decided to make his way up to the large greenhouse that was situation at the top of the Dumisani D1 building. It was peaceful, kept beautiful by those expert in plant magic and the Elves that visited and leant their abilities to the Dumisani.

Sipho breathed in the air, watching a group of witches pass by outside that were likely just finishing up a potion making class. He had been feeling especially restless lately, like his mind couldn’t settle, searching for an answer that kept escaping him.

He lifted his head when he heard a noise behind him. Sipho looked over his shoulder before turning to face them. “Hello. Can I help you?”

[chris-elkar]

The buzz about mysterious algae and a magical tea a co-worker had given him to help clear up some of the residual ache from the gunshot had gotten Chris interested in magical plants. He was up on a balcony in the greenhouse, looking back and forth between a book he'd gotten from the library and the list of names and plots given to him by one of the gardeners when he'd explained why he was there.

The witch who came up a few minutes later didn't seem to notice him until Chris stood up as well and purposefully noisily rearranged his papers. "I think so. I'm Chris, I work with Vivian Ambrose." He held out a hand. "You're Sipho, right?"

[siphodumisani]

“I see.” Sipho nodded with understanding, while he might not have recognised the man in front of him, he was familiar with the lab created by Vivian Ambrose. “Does that make you a researcher?” He asked curiously and reached out his hand to meet Chris’ in a firm shake. “That would be me. Nice to meet you, Chris. What can I help you with?”

[siphodumisani]

“Yeah. But I won’t cry if it comes out of my own pocket.” Sipho assured him with a small grin. “Anything you want to talk about?” Sipho asked conversationally, he was sure Rei would brush him off, but he had always tried to make it obvious that he was there whenever he needed him. “How’s your mom, have you heard from her?” Sipho decided to ask to keep the conversation going. Rei wasn’t a teenager anymore, but sometimes Sipho found himself using old tactics to hold a conversation with him instead of setting for yes or no answers.

[reiremington]

He rolled his eyes, but the smile was still on his lips. Sipho was considerate, giving to a fault. It was a stark change to the previous witch elder he'd had as a role model growing up. Rei hesitated for a few long moments. A lot of his thoughts were things he really shouldn't say out loud, not everyone would be understanding. "I know I can bother you if there is," he answered instead, his way of showing his appreciation for the offer and the support.

"She's good. She always thrives no matter where she goes," he replied easily. His mother had been the one to teach him how to be resilient.

[siphodumisani]

Sipho nodded, accepting that as enough for him for now. “Good.” His response a warm, low rumble and he offered another glimpse of a smile.

“That’s true.” He agreed, he’d always admired Kyoko for it. He absently pushed the box of doughnuts towards the younger witch. “Anyway, there’s got to be something good you can tell me?” Sipho proceeded with hope. He knew Rei didn’t like to use his magic much, so he never liked to have that be the only thing they could talk about. “You still avoiding me when it comes to that extra training I mentioned?” He teased, “That promotion’s there for you if you do. More money.” He reminded, “Possibly less time with me bugging you.” The chief smiled.

[siphodumisani]

Harmony was not the word Sipho would use to describe any future collaboration with Ezra Vale and his establishments. However much Sipho appreciated that they all had a role to play in the city, dislike was beginning to simmer for the demon with the more he learnt about him and his practises. Though he could give it to him, he was charming, calculating, well-mannered, inconspicuous in his business, an easy fit into the thrumming life force of the city and he took advantage of it well.

Sipho waited for the mask to drop, for the well-practised mannerisms to uncurl to leave the demon beneath. Not bare, of course, but enough that they could talk with some of the restraint and showmanship missing. “Employee benefits…”Sipho paused like he was tasting the words on his tongue, with some dark amusement, “Hm.” He finished with a low, disapproving grunt. “Sarah Irwin.” He answered after another moment of pause, he didn’t expect the name to resonate, she was likely one of many on his list of acquisitions after all.

“Polite may work with a man of grace, but you aren’t a man and a generous host isn’t what I need.” Sipho paused, “I told you what I want, the question is, are we going to walk out of here friends?”

[ezravale]

The collected smile remains fixed upon the demon's face as he nods. "Employee benefits." He echoes the words, though something in his eye darkens, adding just enough edge to ensure they were speaking of the same specific brand of perks.

“Sarah Irwin.” He let the name fall with deliberate weight, the sound breaking the silence. There's some faint recognition there at the name, but after the centuries he'd been in this business - the humans all blurred into one, indistinguishable in the herd.

“You make it sound as though I took her from you. But we both know I don’t need to take something that’s already walking away. She came to me of her own free will." He pauses, leaning forward in his seat. "I never force a transaction, Mr Dumisani. The door is merely open. Some people... simply choose to walk through it."

A humoured grin appears across Ezra's polished features as the coven leader speaks, taking him in. "My, my. You really are impressive, I'll give you that. A man of poise, power. I admire that." The demon chuckles, the sound now openly cold, calculating. "And, of course... I would like nothing more than the two of us to be friends." The smile seems to freeze on his face, a haunting stillness. "In fact, as a token of our new found friendship, perhaps I could ask Sarah to join us. I'm sure she'd be delighted to clear up this little... misunderstanding."

[siphodumisani]

Demon’s were built for a purpose, they had their own desires to fulfil as much as any other creature in Vievecor, it just so happened that most of their desires tended to be more troublesome than others. “I am aware that contracts are entered into mostly willingly. For the sake of argument, we will leave out coercion, manipulation and tact. Something that I have no trouble in admitting that I’m sure you hold those particular qualities in spades.” Sipho paused.

“What I am asking for, is the details of the deal. I’m not here asking for a different outcome, but I would like to be aware of the terms and how she came to you.” Sipho stated calmly, his dark eyes unwavering, steely. “As a kindness to our new found friendship.” He followed up.

“Sarah can be left where she is.” Sipho added with low, rumbling softness, “There’s no need to bring her here in order to display your power or authority. I’m well aware of your power, Mr Vale,” The Dumisani leader reminded him, the air still between them for a moment, time ticking by at an eerie pace as the both of them remained unwavering.

[siphodumisani]

For: @teddy-byrne

Continued from: here

Later that evening, Sipho left for Teddy’s home. Fear might have been spreading across the city, but Sipho wasn’t going to let that deter him, not when what they needed was level-headedness.

Vincente might have been his first port-of-call, but given that the man currently was out of the city on business, Sipho was under the impression perhaps his fledgling was the best person to speak to.

Sipho locked his car and headed to the front door of the property, where he knocked. “Mr Byrne… thank you for having me.” The Dumisani leader greeted when the vampire came to the door, his voice a soft, low rumble. “How are you?”

[siphodumisani]

For: @chris-elkar

The state of the city weighing heavily on his mind, Sipho decided to attempt to take a break from it and decided to make his way up to the large greenhouse that was situation at the top of the Dumisani D1 building. It was peaceful, kept beautiful by those expert in plant magic and the Elves that visited and leant their abilities to the Dumisani.

Sipho breathed in the air, watching a group of witches pass by outside that were likely just finishing up a potion making class. He had been feeling especially restless lately, like his mind couldn’t settle, searching for an answer that kept escaping him.

He lifted his head when he heard a noise behind him. Sipho looked over his shoulder before turning to face them. “Hello. Can I help you?”

[siphodumisani]

For: @caleb-lycaon

Sipho liked to get stuck into the day-to-day running of the fire station. Even though he could have sat in his office, he enjoyed being involved and helping out where he could. He’d just finished cleaning down one of the trucks when he saw the wolf passing. “Hey, Caleb.” He called over to him, securing the remainder of the hose before he walked across to him. “How’s it going? I feel like we haven’t crossed shift patterns lately. You’re a stranger.”

[caleb-lycaon]

"Oh, hey, Siph-- Sir," Caleb returned when he heard the witch greet him as he was walking by. Sipho was still his commanding officer even if they were both leaders in their own rights within the supernatural community. But the humans working in the fire department did not know that and calling the witch by his name while they were working would not do.

"Am I a stranger? I hadn't noticed..." the wolf replied. The Lycaon pack had been run ragged ever since the black out and Caleb's baseline paranoia had kicked into overdrive, but he was doing his best to keep a lid on all of that. "Do you, uh, need any help?" he asked even as it was clear that Sipho had just finished up.

[siphodumisani]

“I’m good, I’m just finishing up. But thanks.” Sipho reassured him, “How’s things?” He asked conversationally, though with the both of them being leaders within the community, Sipho could assume perhaps they were feeling something of the same weight, though it was hardly a conversation they could have around the human colleagues.

“Fancy a doughnut?” Sipho asked as he inclined his head towards his office. “I’m not against keeping up the stereotype.” He chuckled.

[teddy-byrne]

[From Sipho Dumisani. Text:] Teddy, I’m hoping we can meet to discuss a few things? I’d appreciate your time.

[text] TEDDY BYRNE: Mister Dumisani. Of course. What is this about?

[siphodumisani]

[Text:] The two members of your clan that were attacked, I was hoping we could discuss it.

[siphodumisani]

Sipho followed her out onto the balcony. He couldn’t help but to breath a low, gruff sounding chuckle at the way she seemed so insulted not to have been approached by the threat to the supernatural community. “Would you like to join them?” Sipho asked inquisitively. “Perhaps you could get them to answer some of my questions if you did.” He let out a tired sounding sigh, but refused to let it defeat him.

“No favour,” He answered honestly, “But someone needs to keep their wits about them and not bury their head in the sand. I have to be concerned about all matters in the city, not just that of the Dumisani. That being said, they will always remain my priority.”

Sipho glanced around them at the dim flicker of city lights in the distance, shining through the darkness. “Have you heard of anything else lately?”

[madmabzaman]

"Join them? No, I don't like taking orders babes. At least not to someone like that." She was under a supernatural thumb technically, she really wasn't looking to go under some crazy extremist. "If I did join them, why would I give you the information? I mean doesn't sound like good cultest behavior. Though I do love the idea of you owing me." Her ledger was something she took seriously, the balance of favours owed and favours granted. She preferred to be in the black, Mab took every angle they could to get her what she needed. She wondered where she was at with him, she was sure they were at even keel at least for now. Looking him over again more of an observation than a desire. He was looking so stressed, the coven and his city job must have been alot lately.

"I haven't heard much, it's been quiet since the attacks and even more so since the wine fest." She stared at him looking for anything that might tell her what was going on in that head of his. "If I do learn anything new I will tell you. Especially if your Dusmani are in danger. That much I can give you." The word 'give' almost made her want to throw up.

[siphodumisani]

“Isn’t that our agreement? We lend each other information.” Sipho paused to let his eyes settle on her. It wasn’t the only thing they traded, though it had been a while since Sipho had last allowed that to happen. “If you didn’t, well, you wouldn’t be holding up your end of the bargain very well, would you?” Sipho asked with a challenging raise of his brow, though some of his tension seemed to have lifted.

“I’m sure you would enjoy having me in your debt. But like I’ve said before, the Dumisani have to be careful where we tread and I like so keep track of my scores.” Sipho noticed the way she looked at him, like she was noticing his stress even when he made an effort to make it appear lessened. He wouldn’t be the first, tired and stressed leader in the city, it just wasn’t very often that Sipho let it show.

“Thank you.” He finally replied. “How have you been?” He asked a moment later, pushing his shoulders back, perhaps in hopes to relieve some of the ache there. “I assume your work never relents.”

[siphodumisani]

Sipho was happy to see the momentary happiness in Jo’s eyes from seeing Adio appear from the screen. But the moment seemed to disappear as quickly as it arrived, as she crumpled into a fit of dry coughs.

Quickly, Adio sank back into the screen of Sipho’s phone, returning to the still photo it had once been. Sipho quickly stood to press the button on the wall to alert someone that they needed their attention. When the nurse promptly arrived, Sipho stepped back to allow them to tend to Jo before returning to her side once they had her comfortable again.

“Don’t worry, he has that effect on a lot of people. He likes to think it’s his good looks that are the shock value, but I think it’s the sight of a 10 ft lizard with a long yellow tongue coming towards them that puts people off.” He chuckled, hoping it might cheer her. Sipho smiled a gentle smile, “How are you feeling, Sprout?”

[detectivejdarling]

Jo managed a soft, huffed-out laugh that caught in her raw throat and shook loose a final, rasping cough, but the corners of her mouth still curled faintly. “Can’t relate,” she murmured, voice rough and barely above a whisper. “I always thought he was pretty cool.”

Her gaze drifted, unable to hold Sipho’s for long—not when the coughing fit had her head spinning and the back of her skull throbbing anew. A dull burn was crawling back through her lungs and her chest still felt like it was wrapped in barbed-wire. Her fingers twitched when awareness returned to them, brushing the oxymeter cord in a slow, idle motion, curling inward at the memory of his palm against hers.

The cuff on her arm squeezed again, inflating automatically, but Jo didn't react or respond for a long time. “Like shit,” she admitted at last, rare honesty cutting through the usual bravado. No sarcasm. No fake smile. Only the truth, rasped out between exhausted breaths. She closed her eyes, pulse still jumping erratically on the monitor. "Tired." She let the word sit there for a moment, almost foreign on her tongue, though she couldn’t even remember the last time she hadn’t been.

[siphodumisani]

Sipho hated to see Jo suffer and yet it seemed like he had to do so more and more often. Still, time had made it something Sipho was sadly accustomed to. Was there a small part of him that hoped this encounter would change things? Yes, but he knew better than to expect that to become a reality.

“I bet,” The witch elder replied sympathetically, his hand covering hers one more time, just for a moment longer, because he knew tomorrow she would draw back from him. “Why don’t you try to get some rest now? I’ll stay right here.” He murmured, low and soft, before he pulled the chair closer to the bed so that he was sat as close beside her as he could, her hand still in his.

Sipho waited for a long while until Jo’s breathing slowed with sleep, her heart a steady beep on the monitor and her eyes had fluttered shut. He quietly took in her face, relaxed, free of the mask she wore and let out a quiet exhale.

Sipho stayed throughout the night, a steady and unwavering presence that remained, as diligently as he always had.

END.

[siphodumisani]

For: @roan-wayland

Where: Klin

Somewhere, Sipho could hear shouting as people piled out of one of the nearby nightclubs. As he passed, he saw it was a group of drunken men, shoving each other and throwing insults. Except two of them seemed to have parted from the group and be in heated discussion about the two puncture wounds in the side of one of their necks, sharing increasingly loud words over ‘Level Four’.

He continued on into the night, passing through streets and alleyways, ready to reach his car and get home for the evening. But he didn’t reach his car before he heard another set of voices, this time stumbling upon a human and a looming vampire, but they were not alone. Roan stood with them. Sipho’s brow pinched as he briefly took in the scene.

“Roan.” Sipho spoke clearly. Spooked, the human immediately ran and the vampire took his chance to lunge forwards towards Roan in attack.

[roan-wayland]

Going out into the streets of Klin or Hedon had become a bit of a habit. Following the successful trial of the revolver, Roan felt more confident, and he hoped he could help keep the streets safe. The weapon was only to be used as a last resort. Still, rumours of the two shot vampires must have spread, because he noticed that the vampires that ventured into the streets to feed seemed more on edge. As the witch approached a vampire that was about to feed on a human, the vampire instantly stopped as he smelled who was approaching. He snarled at Roan and took a defensive stance, almost forgetting the human all together.

The tension was so loaded that when Sipho's voice carried over to them, the vampire snapped and rushed at the closest witch. Roan was ready, not letting Sipho's appearance distract him, and pulled up a barrier around the vampire, stopping it mid-leap.

"Sipho, you out for a late night walk?" he asked without taking his eyes off the vampire, "That can be dangerous." The vampire clawed at the barrier, but it was useless, and soon Roan had entered its mind and calmed it with a foggy sensation of lethargy. Only then did Roan look at the witch elder. "I'm just doing my part in making the streets safer. No one needs to get hurt," he explained, the conviction strong in his voice.

[siphodumisani]

“I could issue the same warning back to you.” Sipho replied, watching as the barrier held the vampire captive for a moment. Silently, the rage seemed to drain from their eyes and was replaced by an almost lethargic stance, that told Sipho Roan had used magic to alter their mental state in some way. “I think they can be let go now.” Sipho pointed out calmly, waiting expectantly for the barrier to drop. He didn’t expect a retaliation, even without the magic in place, it was two against one.

“The attacks have made us all wary, but somehow we’ve gotten to a place where our response to it needs to be policed too. We don’t need anymore chaos. We need rational thought, discussion. Do you agree?” Sipho asked curiously.

[siphodumisani]

“I find the truth is usually the most useful.” Sipho replied, but then he’d always been an open book with his thoughts and be appreciated not everyone found it quite so easy to lay their thoughts bare. “But sometimes distraction is needed to coax out the other things.” The Dumisani leader gave a sympathetic smile, before a chuckle escaped him, “Well, I figure Heracles did worse that step into a grape crushing vat. I think we’ll be fine.” He reassured him, his lips widening to a grin, “The key word there being we. You’ll need to come with me.”

[arjun-iqbal]

"Maybe later." Arjun did not disagree. Being open about everything that happened would have done him some good..but his focus right now was his good friend here, and the prospect of doing something different with him. Something distracting. Hearing himself share in the laugh, Arjun reached out to grab a hold of the other's hand, his thumb rolling over the back of it. "Let's do it, then. Is this something you have done before?"

The deity pulled the witch towards the low, wooden barrel, and together they hoisted themselves up and over the edge. A moment after, they were sinking into the mass of grapes, a gasp of surprise escaping Arjun's lips at the coldness. "Oh, wow.." he chuckled, grabbing Sipho's arm in an effort to steady himself.. "..I apologise in advance for my clumbsiness."

[siphodumisani]

Sipho was not going to argue with a deity. He trusted Arjun knew what was best for himself and if not, he knew where to find him for help. Sipho easily held the other’s hand when it was offered to him, “No, I can’t say I have. In all my travels somehow I’ve missed out crushing grapes.” The Dumisani leader chuckled. Too distracted by the magic, was most likely the culprit.

Joining him within the barrel, it was certainly a strange sensation and Sipho’s laugh rang out like a low, warm rumble. “You’re alright.” He looped one strong arm around Arjun’s to steady him, “Though I can’t be the only one who feels sorry for the people who end up drinking this wine, am I?” Sipho’s dark eyes glimmered with amusement.

Sipho didn’t know if there was an art to what they were doing, but once they got going, it was oddly therapeutic. “Now my feet are stained for eternity, are you ready to get out?” He asked some time later.

[nerd4music]

Aldis Hodge for Vanity Fair | Beyond the Red Carpet: Hollywood’s Next Generation