((Ok! This story is like so overdue I am so sorry <.<...anywho, have one of Esfir’s first memories. Also some inspiration pictures?))
Magical was the first word that came to the young Volkavich's mind, a soft gasp escaping her as wide blue eyes took in the building before her. Old stone columns rose high above the crowded streets, ancient statues to Kemos watching over the city from their perch on the rooftop. The building in question was once a center for religious worship, long since repurposed as the Alchemical city formed around it. Stone arches, once granting entrance to priests milling about the grounds were now packed with eager patrons, awaiting entrance to the theater.
Esfir's dainty fingers reached upward, searching for the familiar, comforting roughness of her father's hand as doeful eyes took in as much detail as possible. This was the young Grismaran's first opera and she was already smitten with the ancient stone, the fancy outfits everyone wore, the culture that bled from everything in sight.
"Can we come more often?" came the quiet question, hardly above a whisper and yet the taller, salt and pepper desh beside her had heard it with ease, a broad smile flashing down at his daughter. "Oh course princess, so long as you're well enough." The little girl beamed, resisting the urge to hop up and down as she forcefully dragged her father into the throng of waiting patrons. For such a fragile looking girl she certainly did have a certain determined strength in her quest to reach the entrance.
The soft glow of street lamps gave way to the hum of florescent light cascading from the chandeliers overhead. Esfir's mouth gaped open as the pair entered the lobby, mentally exploring the abundance of stairways going up and down, left and right. She couldn't help but tug the hem of her father's jacket with excited anticipation. "Can we go exploring? I want to see everything!" she squealed, no longer able to contain the joy bubbling up inside her. The older Grismaran chuckled softly, patting his daughter's head affectionately once more as he handed over their tickets for inspection. "Not today love, the show will be starting soon. We have to find our seats." Esfir's shoulders slumped slightly, ears drooping with disappointment. "But, if you're feeling up to it next time we can come early." this got her attention, sending the young girl into a fit of excited giggles "Okay!" she nearly screamed, quickly covering her mouth to contain such outbursts. "We can come tomorrow." she grinned, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper as her father laughed, leading her up one of the nearby staircases.
Esfir paused at the top of the staircase, nearly causing the patrons behind her to fall as her father mumbled a quiet apology and pulled the young girl to the side. He couldn't fault her of course, the hallway leading to their seats was his favorite part of the theater as well. The high ceilings were painted with grand murals depicting the Grismaran's creation myth. Such murals had captured Esfir's attention fully as they slowly shuffled down the hall a soft, "wow..." the only exclamation the child could muster. She vaguely heard her father speaking as she stared at the paintings over her shoulder, "We can look at them after princess. I'll tell you all about them I promise."
The lighting dimmed once more as they entered the extravagant circular room. The wonders never ceased as Esfir took in the sights before her. Another mural painted the ceiling, looking impossibly old yet full of life. Luxurious red seats filled almost every inch of the room, leaving just enough space for narrow walk ways. Crystal blue eyes scanned the empty balconies with envy as she took her seat in the lower theater. "Can we sit up there?" she questioned, pointing toward the seats in question. "Not today princess, maybe next time. I promise these seats will be just fine." he smiled, even as the little girl huffed, toying with the end of her neatly braided hair.
Disappointment was short lived as the patrons packed into the theater and the billowing red curtains opened to reveal a beautiful woman standing before an elaborately built backdrop. From the first note that left her lips Esfir was completely and utterly hooked, sitting on the edge of her seat through the entire performance. When the curtains closed several hours later a wide eyed Esfir stared up at her father, voice barely above a whisper and dripping with admiration as she squeaked out. "I want to do that."
