[Avain Manor] Big Things in Small Packages (Ihnar)

[Iliana]

40th of Winter, 511 AV The weather was cold, and inside Iliana was warm and loath to leave the comfort. Lately she had taken to spending time in the common area, often sitting on the couch and simply letting her mind wander aimlessly, or taking the time to send several prayers to the Goddess Makutsi. Iliana was dressed in her white dress, and her blond hair tumbled over her shoulders, free from any bonds. The girl strolled through the house on bare feet, the only sound that could be heard was the swish of her dress with each skipping step she took. Stopping before the couch, Iliana spun so that her dress rose around her calves, and she giggled at the feeling of the fabric on her skin. She was secretly very pleased with the dress she had bought. It was light and the fabric was not itchy and set off the curves of her form very well. Once more, and for not the last time, Iliana thanked Makutsi for providing her with the funds that purchased the dress, and she promised to offer even more dances to the Goddess as compensation. Still smiling, Iliana settled down on the floor where she stood, tucking her legs under her dress and resting her hands on her lap. Closing her eyes, Iliana took a deep breath and let her mind settle, calming her thoughts so that her mind was in a state of peaceful meditation. Admittedly, Iliana did not care for this part of her devotion to the Goddess, but she accepted it as necessary never the less. With her mind calm, at least as calm as Iliana could make it, she then cast her thoughts out to the universe, in hopes that the Goddess Makutsi might hear her. Oh Goddess of rain and water... please hear my calls... Iliana always started her prayers as such, a simple call to the Goddess in hopes that she might take notice of the girl, I am Iliana, a humble practicer of your ways... please hear my calls and grant me your attention... Sighing deeply, Iliana's face relaxed into a look of serenity. A flood of memories came before her closed eyes, and a passionate feeling of longing began to swell in her chest, I know that...T-that I was not born into a family of artist... of dancers and performers, and because I have only just begun my studies my skills are not where you would wish them to be... Iliana's lip trembled slightly as she thought of the dancers of Taloba during the Rain Festival. Though it had been several years ago, Iliana could still remember their forms as the leapt, tumbled and danced in the Goddess' name. Their talent, and their skill... Iliana knew she could not compare... Iliana opend her eyes and gazed up to the ceiling, as if she hoped to catch a glimps of the Goddess watching over her, Though I do not have much skill, or even talent, please... I ask that you grant me the determination to continue my practices, in the hope that one day I will be worthy of your attention... Closing her eyes once more Iliana cast out with the full of her passion, sending forth her final prayer with all of her built up passion, That one day... I may perform for the Gods themselves... Iliana sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her head bowed and eyes closed. Her expression was solemn and thoughtful, completely opposite of her giggles and smiles from a few chimes before. There was a slight tremble to her voice when she spoke, "Oh dear Goddess... please grant me grace in my performance, and give me determination to never give up... A single tear dotted the corner of Iliana's eye as she began to hum. The sound was soft and sad, and it spoke of deep longing and uncertain outcomes. As she hummed Iliana rocked gently from side to side, her eyes still closed and her expression was one that might break the heart of any of too sentimental a nature.

[Ihnar]

Ihnar walked around the Avain manor. At the moment he was carrying a few eating utensils to a pile he had been making in the main area. The pycon had found gathering stuff people dropped on the floor very interesting. His pile now had several eating utensils, a few copper mizas and some feathers. He didn't know where the feathers had came from. However he liked them, if no-one would mind he would be happy to take them for himself. The pycon stood next to the pile for a moment, picking up the feathers he had found. They were so soft and elegant. Ihnar couldn't resist the urge and briefly brushed them against his face. It felt nice. Carefully as not to break them he placed them back on the pile. It was silly. Feathers wouldn't break like that.

The pycon began to slowly walk away from the pile, scanning the floor for any lost items. He was aware that this was a really childish behavior. Pycon were mature at six months. Oh who cared. Ihnar could be childish all he wanted. It was a part of his personality. Still.. he liked this. Each item seemed to have a story, just waiting to be told. Maybe some sort of an astral being had dropped the feathers from it's wings as it came over to pick the souls of dead people and take them to the stars. Maybe the simple knife and fork he had found were once used by a king, but then lost and sold as cheap metal. What if the copper mizas were scoured there by mice, who were happy with all the tasty crumbs people dropped on their meals.

Ihnars eyes spotted a strand of hair on the floor. It was blonde and rather fine. It set the pycons imagination to work again. Perhaps a princess had combed her hair here and left behind a strand of her hair, made of the purest sunlight. Now she was somewhere out the, waiting for brave knights to show up and save her. Carefully the pycon picked it up and began to take it to the pile. As he gently placed it on his pile, he turned right around and went to search for more stuff.

Soon he found another item. It was a white cloth. It seemed rather big. Ihnar pondered at the origin of it, as he crouched to pick it up. Funny. It wouldn't move. Ihnar gave another small tug. Nope, it was stuck under something. The pycon walked around the white cloth. What he found nearly made him stumble on his own feet and fall.

He had tugged on some ones dress in his thoughts. Ihnar looked up at the woman. She seemed so sad. Was she sad because Ihnar had bothered her? At least she didn't seem like the type that mauled people on the streets for a living. Ihnar stood there staring at her wide-eyed. That hair. Was this the princess that had left a bit of hair behind? ... and was now waiting for brave travelers to come and help her. Well Ihnar wasn't brave in the least, but maybe he could.. do something. He rushed back to his pile. Someone could think he was fleeing, but he wasn't. Ihnar picked up one of the feathers and walked back to Iliana.

'F-for you.' The pycon nudged Iliana gently and offered her the feather. He sat down next to Iliana, hoping to relief her of whatever sadness she had.
'D-don't cry.. p-princess.. of sunlight'. Ihnar whispered silently. It took him a while to realize he had said that out loud. He hadn't meant to do that. The pycon felt really awkward and silently hoped that the human hadn't heard him. Ihnar turned his attention to his scarf and began to fiddle with it nervously. He hoped he would have at least managed to stop the woman from crying. It looked so.. heart breaking.

[Iliana]

Iliana only faintly felt the tug on the trim of her dress, but in her prayer state of mind she dismissed this as unimportant for the time being. Shaking her head Iliana wiped the tear from her eye and looked down at her lap, a small smile creeping onto her lips. Maybe... Just maybe this time she heard me... Iliana's thoughts were then interrupted by a small nudge at her side, but when she looked down all the girl could see was a feather laying on her dress. Blinking, Iliana tilted her head to the side, and Ihnar came into view holding up the feather in his hands. For a moment Iliana was unsure what she was looking at. She took in the site of a pale boy in a... Iliana's nose scrunched up in thought, Is that a dress? However, this thought did not last long before a single, overpowering thought took its place. He is sooo cute! Iliana giggled and smiled down at Ihnar, setting her hadn on the floor beside him so that she could lean over to get a closer look. Giggling once more she tilted her head, her hair spilling over her other shoulder, "I do not think I have been called a princess by anyone but papa before, and that was a long time ago." Extending her thumb and forefinger of her other hand, Iliana took the feather and looked it over, her blue eyes darting over the feathers shape and pattern. The simple act of receiving a gift seemd to brighten her entire demeanor so that she almost seemed to glow as she looked back down at Ihnar, "Is it for me? Oh how wonderful! It is so beautiful!" Though her words may have been a bit over zealous, her gratitude was sincere. Leaning back up Iliana brushed aside some of her hair and placed the Feather behind her ear, fixing her hair so that the feather stuck out from the blond locks. Smiling, Iliana looked back down at Ihnar, "Thank you, truly. I really did need some cheering up, but tell me my prince of feathers, where do you come from? Do you have a name?" Extending a hand, Iliana set her palm out before Ihnar, making it obvious she would like him to step into her hand. If he decided to Iliana would bring him closer and set him on her lap. Ihnar was the first Pycon that Iliana had ever seen, and she was curious to find out more about the little person.

[Ihnar]

Ihnar shifted his gaze at the woman as she had finally taken notice of the pycon. Now this was rather interesting. She didn't seem creeped out or scared of the pycon. Most of the times moving, living statues caused people to freak out. For sometime the pycon was afraid the woman would feel that, since her expression seemed to feel some sort of disgust at him. Ihnar turned his gaze back at his scarf and continued to nervously wait on what the woman would have to say. His wait didn't last long as a giggle burst out from the woman. It sounded so pretty, quite possibly because it was a wave of relief to the pycon. He had not managed to creep out the human. Perhaps he stood a chance on making friends with her.

The pycon observed as Iliana placed the feather on her golden strands. Now Ihnar was glad he had picked up the feather. It would have been a shame to let such an beautiful item lay on the dusty floor, when it could have been in the hair of a princess. A small smile curved up on the pycon face. He was happy to have brought joy to the sad person. Ihnar could get used to this. The feeling was so warm and nice.

As the woman offered her hand, Ihnar hesitated for a while. Surely she wouldn't do anything mean, like hurt Ihnar. Unless this was a trap of some sort. The pycon stood there and stared at Ilianas hand. He wanted to make friends. Still.. his past kept ringing in his ears... maybe just this once. One time wouldn't hurt, would it? Besides.. the woman seemed nice. Slowly the pycon walked to Ilianas hand, and sat on it.

'M-my name is Ihnar...' That was the easy part.

As Ihnar began to think about where he was from his mind couldn't find anything. He have spent the most of his life in Syliras... but.. was it really a home? Was home a place where you were tormented? Then he had been in Sunberth. It didn't really feel like a home either. So far he hadn't heard of anyone who would have been dragged to home as a slave...
It slowly dawned on the pycon that he didn't have a home. Ihnar frowned and let out a sigh.

'I...h-have.. no.. home..' His voice sounding like it was at breaking point. No this wouldn't do! He was here to cheer up the woman, not make her sad again. Such an miserable fail this had been. Trying to be brave Ihnar tried to change the topic.

'W-who are you, princess?' He asked rather silently, trying to drag his thoughts away from the gloomy zone. It was surprisingly hard, even with a possible new friend with him.

[Iliana]

He is so light, Iliana thought to herself. Handling the Pycon as gently as glass, Iliana sat the little man on her lap, adjusting her dress so that Ihnar would not get caught up in the folds. Then she took a moment to simply look over him, taking in his strange clothing, which she suddenly realized was a part of him, as well as noticing the red scarf around his neck. Giggling, Iliana could not help be think how cute he looked. His name is Inhar... I wonder if his parents gave him that name, or did he give it to himself? Iliana's mind skipped backwards in time, going back to a lesson she had with her father in his study. She remembered a tiny book, an engraving of the alchemic symbol of Clay and Life on the front. Mentally flipping through the book, Iliana review what she knew of the race, "Small, flexible and adaptable the Pycon race is capable of procreation... (Iliana skipped forward a few chapters) They are known for their curious nature, as well as their every changing form that reflects their individual experiences in life... Iliana looked over Ihnar now, taking in his appearance once more. Furrowing her brow slightly, she wondered what Ihnar's current form showed of his experiences? It was as she was wondering these things that Ihnar spoke, and Iliana's attention returned once more to the little man. He has no home? Iliana felt her heart stir in response to the little man's statement, and her own feelings of being without a home began to rise to the surface. Blinking back a rise of emotions, Iliana took a deep breath and put a smile on her face once more, though this one was not quite so big, "I am Iliana, but I am no princess. I am a dancer and a follower of the ways of Makutsi." Iliana laid a finger gently on Ihnar's small back, looking at him with eyes shining with feeling, her blue eyes like a clear, shimmering bond with the depths of her soul clearly visible, "Oh Ihnar, my prince of feathers, if you have no home where do you sleep?" Brushing back a stray hair behind her ear, her hand lingering on the feather for a moment, Iliana smiled softly at the Pycon, "Would you... like to live here with me? There is plenty of space in my room, and you could come and go as you pleased. Would you like that?" When Iliana smiled her eyes shown with welcome. It was clear that she would like for Ihnar to stay in the Manor.

[Ihnar]

Ihnar's expression changed ever so slightly as Iliana mentioned she was a dancer. His eyes widened a bit and his mouth twisted a tad more in to a frown. The pycon could remember.. how his evil first master had made them perform on the streets... but.. his mother had danced. On good days he could have gotten away with just making music for her to dance to, not doing painful stuff. It had been a long time since he had touched any instruments. He wasn't sure could he even play one anymore. Still he could hear an old tune he used to play in his little mind. Idly he hummed a bit of it, before silently stopping to wonder if Iliana had anyone to play music to her. Such a silly thought! Surely someone as pretty as her would have a personal musician.

.. and then she would perform and dance and twirl to beautiful music... and the little brown mice would be watching. They would be so happy they would hide copper mizas around for the girl to find... that would solve the coppers he found on the floor before.

The pycon snapped back to reality. The girl had said something. Ihnar had no idea what, he had been so overpowered by memories and... stories. He sighed. Just stories. No mice out there, no dancing princess. A bit sadly Ihnar stored this in his memory. Who knows. Maybe one day he could write a story of this.

As Iliana finally spoke about Ihnar staying over, and the pycon actually hearing it this time, he felt a small seed of happiness plant itself inside him. Maybe one day it would blossom.

'I..I-I'd like that.. v-very m-much..' Ihnar said, shivering with excitement. He should tell his master about this... but it wasn't that important at the moment. Surely he would catch Eri later and have time to tell him.

'D-do you have.. music?' He asked rather clumsily, nervously looking the girl in her eyes. His ever so lifeless painted blue eyes staring back at the girls radiant lively blue eyes.

[Iliana]

Iliana smiled, seeing the little pycon beginning to warm up to her brought a flutter of joy to her heart, and when his tiny voice spoke its trembling reply, So cute! she thought, the girl had to force back her instinct to gather him up in a fierce hug. Giggling lightly she wondered if she might accidently break him if she were not to careful. Iliana thought a moment on Ihnar's question. Music? Do I have music? What a strange question the little man posed. Scrunching her nose in though Iliana absently pulled at a strand of her blond hair, "I do not think I have music like you may be thinking, but when I dance I can hear something in my head..." Iliana giggled and set Ihnar gently on the floor, standing and dusting off her dress. Twirling in a quick circle her dress billowed out around her, settling gently about her ankles as she came to a stop facing Ihnar. Clasping her hands behind her back Iliana leaned forward, smiling down at Ihnar, "It is a kind of music that only I can hear, and it guides my feet to move as Makutsi would wish them too." Straightening Iliana tapped a finger on the side of her cheek, "But now, I do not think I have ever had real music at any of my performances before, oh but if I did..." Her eyes grew distant for a moment as she invisioned the crowds gathering to watch her dance to the wonderful lilting melodies of a masterful musician. She pictured those gathered around her clapping along with the tempo of the girls dancing feet, the pounding of her heart reflecting in each clap of the hands of dozens of people. With a sigh Iliana spoke, "Oh, if I but had music my performances would be all the more for the Goddess! My steps would be lighter, carried on the racing tempo of an artist's masterful hand with his instrument." Suddenly coming back to reality, Iliana closed her eyes and shook her head, giggling softly. Looking down at Ihnar she prushed her hair behind her ear once more, "I think that a dancer becomes a true performer when they have found a melody to accompany their rhythm, but I am afraid I have yet to find mine."

[Ihnar]

Ihnar observed as the girl spun around, her dress falling around her like.. the autumn leaves. No. Autumn was a time of death, when the coldness killed everything. Like flower petals raining from a tree. That was it. Beautiful delicate little flowers. That was the closest thing to come to his mind of the girls little twirl. He had never believed anything so big could be elegant and move with grace. All his life he had spend copious amounts of time avoiding the tumbling feet of humans. Perhaps there was another side to the coin, that he had never seen before.

He found it quite interesting how the girl had music inside her. Was it similar like singing in ones head? Trying it he sung a bit in his mind. He found himself holding back a laugh. Seeing as he hadn't singed in his mind nor for real, he sounded absolutely horrible. Had it really been that long since he had been singing on the streets?

'I-I u-used to play.. a v-violin'. Ihnar said, scratching his ear nervously. He had been keeping his eyes open for any violin salesmen, but all of the ones he had seen were sized for adult humans, thus being far too big for him to carry or play.
'I ... d-don't have i-it anymore... b-but..' He kept a short pause, feeling silly for offering his novice skills to the talented dancer. Not to mention as much as he wished, he still couldn't make a right sized violin pop out of thin air.
'I w-would h-have played for y-you...' An empty promise, unless he would get that violin. He could hear the sound of the violin playing in his ears, ever so faintly, like a lost memory. Slowly Ilianas giggle added to the music, in perfect harmony. It sounded divine.

A bit surprised the pycon opened his eyes, not having noticed when he had closed them. The music in his ears faded back to the silence of the manor. He kind of missed it now that it was gone. He also wished he could have shared that lovely group of sounds working together with Iliana. Sadly he knew there was no way to get it to come out of his mind and play to the girl like a music box.

[Iliana]

The girls eyes brightened when she heard Ihnar mention his musical skills, "You use to play the violin?" Iliana tilted her head, noticing the little man's nervousness over the subject. Maybe it is a touchy subject? Iliana wondered to herself. Closing her eyes Iliana leaned back and stretched her arms over her head, a smile touching her lips once more, Maybe if I could find him a new violin, he would be happy again. For a moment Iliana thought about what it would be like to be unable to dance, and her heart grew heavy with the thought. To be unable to express her joy, her devotion to the Goddess Makutsi... Shaking her head the girl looked down at Ihnar, a new light of understanding in her eyes. For a musician to lose his instrument... that is like a dancer without her legs. Oh Ihnar... Kneeling down Iliana brought her face close to Ihnar's, a light of sympathy swimming in her eyes, "Oh dear prince, I would love to hear you plan and I would be overjoyed to dance to your melodies. Please, if you allow me I will assist you in finding a new instrument, and when we find one will you perform for me then?" Iliana had spoken from her heart, and her emotions show clearly through her expression. Her eyes brimmed with suppressed tears, and her lip trembled slightly as she tried to keep her smile in place, "Oh dear Ihnar, do not be sad. I shall help you reclaim your music once again."

[Ihnar]

Ihnar stood and watched as Iliana appeared to ponder something. Now the pycon wasn't a master at understanding humans, but he could still tell something was on her mind. Maybe she was disturbed by his clay presence, a wave of doubt washed over Ihnar.

With a sudden move the girls face was close to his. Ihnar felt utterly confused. Clearly this was a good sign.. she wasn't disgusted of the alien like pycon. ...Still Ihnar was aware that this was a female human. Females were always so confusing. Perhaps this was some sort of a female mood-swing. Of course it made more sense that Ihnar was just reading her wrong.

Learn to understand humans before judging...

With an effort he pushed his rather weak analysis away from his mind. It was best just to act like she was a he... or was it a she at all. Maybe Ihnar really didn't know anything about humans. Confused, he opened his mouth as to ask was Iliana a girl, but slammed it shut as soon as he realized how embarrassing that would have been for both parties. A faint warm feeling spread on his face, luckily being a pycon he couldn't blush on the outside.

'I..I.. w-would apprecitate i-it.' Ihnar stuttered, pulling his thoughts back at the task at hand. Remembering his manners he bowed slighlty, confusing himself even more. Being unhappy about this bow he tried another one, this time grabbing the edges of his dress and moving them slighlty. (As a royal maiden would do).
Which was better? He kind of liked the simple one more ... Maybe he should reserve the more complex bow for important people. Like Eri, his master. He would surely be happy. A small smile curved on Ihnars face as he thought about making his master happy.

'I... w-will pl-play f-for you.. always. Just... ask.' His overall posture showed he was serious about this promise and would keep it. Unlike Iliana, Ihnars eyes didn't change a bit for clay eyes with cracked paint could never reflect the inside of ones soul. If he was to find a new violin, he would be able to play notes showing how he felt.

With a silent hum Ihnar cocked his head. This could become a good day.