Infinite Distances (Kam, Grom, Satu)

[Aselia Timandre]

Aselia took the casual approval of the Captain with a relieved as well as amused smile. “Let’s see what story is the best of all then. We Konti paint our homes with tales, but we can paint them into people’s minds just as well.”

Then she gave a slight bow. “Thank you. We will get everything ready in due time.”

Then, while Satu was busy thinking up an exciting announcement design, Aselia was out and about on her own, making her round at the ship and talking to the sailors. “We’re planning a festival, please come!”, she told them.

“There will be competitions, friendly sparring and storytelling. Save your creativity for us – you won’t regret it!”

“Your Cap has promised to tell some of his most thrilling stories.”

“We have excellent singers. I can promise that they’ll make your heart tremble with sweet emotion!”

And on she went advertising the festival with the most beautiful words she could think of. Although Aselia neither sought nor avoided being the center of attention, she was happy in the role she had chosen for herself. Additionally, nobody would deny that she knew what she did.

------------------

Eventually the time of the festival had come. Satu was the one to announce the beginning and various attractions they had prepared at various locations around the ship. The stage at the quarterdeck, however, was left empty until Satu placed herself at the balustrade to speak to the crew. Aselia, who enjoyed the sight of expectant and excited faces, was sitting at the upper part of the staircase where she had perfect view to Satu as well as over the whole deck.

When the other Konti started to speak, Aselia looked at the crowd and couldn’t deny a tiny smile. The visible signs of excitement quickly flooded her veins with adrenaline and her feelings with joy. After all, there was something they could do and something they were good at away from Mura. It was possible to bring the spirit of the Konti community upon humans as well – that had been proven now. Aselia dearly hoped that Kamalia felt a hint of what was going on here.

The invocation of Laviku, the god they all shared a bond with, was a clever beginning, although Satu probably hadn’t intended it as such. Like everyone else, Aselia praised the Master of the Sea with lowered head and closed eyes. He was the one who carried them safely towards his vast ocean depths, He was the one who had claimed the Konti as His own. Their beloved father – they owed him a debt of gratitude, but at the same time far more than that. Therefore, it was very important to thank Him when the opportunity arose. Aselia, however, added a special line that her blood and the love for her sister dictated her: May Kamalia find inner peace and strength to endure this journey and may she find pleasure in whatever she is destined to do in Syliras.

Then Satu called for the Captain to enter the stage and share the first story. “… just as it was promised”, Aselia whispered and smiled up to the other Konti. She had felt a bond emerging as they had worked together to get the festival going. At the moment, it was just the seed of friendship, but Aselia believed that it would grow and bloom in time.

Anyway, she excitedly awaited the Captain’s tale. Hopefully he really had more in store than the average cock-and-bull story, but from all she had seen and felt, she expected as much.

[Gromhir]

The weathered man stood up from his seat on the stage. He clapped his hands together and took in a deep breath through his nostrils. A grin spreading across his face and he looked over the gathering of sailors. “Well, with that introduction from our beautiful guests, how canne decline?” This brought a small cheer from the audience.

“I shall share my favourite experience as a lad,” he chuckled as his gave rose to Syna. “It is one I have not told in many years. We are men of the sea. We live our lives under the gaze of Laviku and on his great waters. But there are those who live deep in the mountain holds, far away from water. They are called the Isur.”

The door to the cabin opened. Gromhir felt down after Kamalia had fallen to sleep and didn’t want to leave her. He hoped Aselia and Satu would forgive him for not being around but it seemed that they had received more help from the sailors than they had truly bargained for. He leaned on the railings, looking out across the sea. His thoughts remaining with Kamalia but he was in a dark mood.

“These mountain people are as hardy as any sailor. They can craft metal better than any I have seen but the story is not how they can bend metal to their will. I have had the pleasure of sailing with many people. But none impressed me as much as this Isurian woman. I was just getting my sea legs when I sailed with her.”

“Can ye remember that far back?” came a shout.

“Silence ya dog!” Came the Captain with a hearty laugh. “She was very beautiful even with that strange arm but she could throw a harpoon better than any man on the boat. We were moored up just after sailing from Zeltiva. A harsh storm had torn our main sail. But the Zith saw fit to attack our vessel as it lay vulnerable.”

“They were relentless, those winged devils and many men died in the attack. But in the centre of it all stood this Isur. A hammer in one hand, harpoon in the other. Each throw of the harpoon took a Zith from the sky. Each strike of the hammer ended its miserable life. I was inspired by her image that day. The stoic mountain in the heart of the storm. If she could weather those storms, then so could I.”

“So, who’s next?” Boomed the Captain, opening the stage.

[Satu]

As the Captain finished his story, Satu clapped happily from her position near the balustrade. The view from the quarterdeck was unobstructed and she studied the men below as the ship’s sailors delivered cheers and ribbing. They amazed the Konti with their good natured, yet hearty and loud mannerisms, for it was very different from the serene characteristics of her people. She was sure it was the old man’s influence leading them, as she had felt his lively and joyful Heart many times since stepping foot upon the ship.

Throughout the Festival, Satu exchanged smiles and laughs with Aselia, who sat on the upper portion of the stairs near her. She felt a friendship growing with Kamalia’s younger sister as she had with Kamalia. They had worked closely together to prepare the festival arrangements; while Kamalia and Gromhir had not been seen since they went below decks earlier in the day. Satu sincerely hoped they were alright, and getting the rest they needed. But it pained her that they were missing the joys of the Festival with her and Aselia. The HeartSeer knew that whatever troubles assailed them, the heaviness would be lifted amid cheerful entertainment.

Thinking of the missing pair, Satu had an idea! What better way to draw them out of their cabin, than with a beautiful Kontinesse song? Aselia could sing she remembered, and beautifully too. The missing pair would not be able to ignore the sweet sounds of home. Satu stole glances at Aselia between acts, vowing to make this little surprise work!

At the next break, Satu gently set her drum upon the wooden boards at her feet and lightly stood. Waving her hands to get the crowds attention, she then turned to Aselia and said, her voice rising with enthusiasm, “There is a Konti here who I am told, sings as beautifully as a siren of the sea” She paused, laughing, “But unlike the siren song, hers will not harm you if you listen. Would you like to hear her sing?”

Satu stepped over to where Aselia sat on the steps and bending low, whispered in her ear as the sailors shouted approval. “May I dance along?” she asked and the Konti smiled in agreement. Pleased, Satu let her cloak drop and moved to stand in the middle of the upper deck. She wore ankle length pants trimmed in tiny pink baubles. The pants gathered slightly at the ankle and filled with fuller fabric at the hips and thighs. In the changing light of the sea, the colour appeared white or almost pink, her bodice was similarly coloured, but the cut was more form fitting with small sleeves.

Silently, she stood waiting for the song to begin, hands crossed over the HeartCenter, allowing the vessel to open as a petal would to the gentle rain of Aselia’s song. The song inside the singer blossomed into gently building emotions that touched Satu sweetly.

The song built without, and the emotions built within, and Satu heard the sounds of home, and of Avalis and Laviku. Aselia sang, and Satu could not tell if it were sad, joyful, or a beautiful mixture of the two. Both emotions encircled the song and her Heart. The Konti’s dance began freely and slowly, of its own accord, taking its cue from the notes and the tone of the singer’s voice. She moved as the water moves, flowing with the song as it filled the air and swam away into the space around the ship and out into in the blue, blue water.

Satu’s arms moved like the waves, slow and then fast, only to change directions with the notes of the song. Her smoothly muscled legs leapt like the dolphins with the love of freedom and life. Wishing only not to be trapped in stillness, her delicate scales glimmered in the sunlight as she turned perpetually back and forth, waves upon waves.

If tears ran down her face she did not know it, and the unconscious smile that came to her lips, she was equally unaware of. Bare feet upon the deck turned softly, the small toes lifted her higher. She was free, but also bound to the ship as her feet turned suddenly, awkwardly and faltered, but Satu caught herself with a few extra steps and then kept moving. The rocking of the ship was Laviku’s rhythm and he seemed to be teasing her balance constantly as the wooden deck was always changing parallel with the sea.

There were much better dancers than Satu among the Konti, dancers that had given their lives to the Art. Satu admired them and followed their footsteps humbly, knowing that she could not compare. But though Satu was only a beginner, she moved with the grace and flow of a suvai fighter, and in her Heart was the song of inner emotions and these showed passionately in her movements. The small stops and starts, and mistakes were easily forgiven viewed in that light.

Aselia sang on, the tones and sounds of her voice at once magical and ethereal like the Konti, themselves. The sails fluttered behind them, with the sea and its sounds as a back drop. The song flowed on, like all of life, like Laviku, and the blood within them.

Satu sensed the song was reaching its climax, and a part of her was saddened, but the other half was filled in exhilaration to move in dance once again. She had missed it greatly. And then Aselia’s voice ended and Satu’s movements slowed also, until she ended where she had begun, with her hands crossed and her head bowed. Her lungs laboured to catch her breathe as she lifted her hands to applaud the Konti singer. “Very fine Asilia! Very fine!” she beamed at the beautiful Konti and threw her arms around her, hugging her companion joyfully.

OOCOn Aselia’s suggestion I wrote Satu dancing to Aselia’s song.

[Aselia Timandre]

As the captain stepped onto the stage, Aselia leaned forward, curious about what story he might share. It turned out to be an interesting one. The Isur, a mountain race that lived far, far north … even farther away than Syliras. There were a few holes, Aselia didn’t know much about the fierce smiths and fighters, but she saw the scene clearly. It was amazing. Although he didn’t use many words, he still summoned an overwhelming image of the story, that beautiful and strong woman and the principle she had chosen to represent. Like a firm rock in the heart of the stormy sea. So that was why the captain had survived until then. Aselia was truly grateful for that story and clapped her hands to show her respect.

Other storytellers followed, but no one provided a story as fascinating and enchanting as the first had been. Aselia listened, but at the same time she was studying the audience, reading faces. She also thought about Kamalia and whether she should join her. Perhaps she needed something. But then Satu stepped forth again and the hint of a glorious idea covered her face with glittering excitement. Aselia immediately decided to stay and hear her new friend’s speech. What kind of entertainment would she provide?

Oh, she announced a song. Aselia turned her head to search for her elder sister, but only detected Gromhir leaning against the railing. Apparently her sister had fallen asleep or found another kind of soothing occupation, so the Kelvic could leave her without being too worried. Still she didn’t think that Satu could mean her … but then the heartseer’s dancing steps were directed towards her sitting at the narrow staircase.

Well … Although surprised, Aselia quickly caught herself and returned Satu’s smile. “I would be honored if you did”, she whispered as a reply and rose. She clearly felt it. Yes, this was the time to sing and dance, a wave of warm and harmonic energy embraced her and she entered the upper deck. While Satu prepared herself for dancing, Aselia studied the sky thoughtfully as if the right song lay somewhere in the endless blue space. A tribute to the Konti nation would be sung, praise to Laviku and Syna and a catchy tune the sailors could relate to and Satu could dance to … Movement, energy was what she was searching for. Then an idea hit her.

Unable to stand still Aselia chose the railing to be her new residence. She simply climbed it and remained sitting at the narrow balustrade. Like a siren she scanned the audience and smiled, the wind playing with her white locks and Syna caressing her silver scales. Violet eyes shut for a while, but then they opened again. She took a deep breath and started with the first note.



The words that formed the initial melody and echoed around the ship were of an ancient language, Nader-Canoch, the term for a long-forgotten community that founded the ability of sharing and remembering stories. To modern civilization it sounded rough and disharmonic, but when shaped into a melody it unfolded an exotic, extraordinary kind of beauty nobody could really put a finger on.

Sending the notes down to the silent audience, Aselia slowly moved through the first part of the song. The sound carried true feelings, a mixture melancholy and silent joy that Aselia would never express through spoken word or facial expression. In fact, songs were the only way she could express the full diversity of her feelings. It held incredible power, this moment of adjusting the soul to the environment.

But then, she moved on to the most important part. Satu’s movements, following the rhythm of the song, became faster and faster, her body seemed to wrap around herself, the sun, the air. Aselia’s voice rose and fell in a confusing whirl of sound. There was rhythm, yes, an indistinguishable red threat, but at the same time the song fanned out into its aspects in a way that completed the whole piece. Divided and one at the same time – that was also what they were, the human sailors and the travelling Konti girls.

If that was even possible, the climax was the top of the main theme, the highest level of skill, celerity and diversity. The colors of sound merged, mixed, intertwined and parted again, forming a confusing pattern of … of emotions transformed into sound. It was as if Aselia was singing with multiple voices, as if she was revealing many fates, many aspects while at the same time staying true to the overall theme. Nobody, not even the siren-like singer herself, was able to call the expressed feelings with appropriate names. What Aselia’s sweet soprano produced was more than words could explain. It was bigger than every description.

Eventually the song calmed down, reducing itself to a few slow notes mixed with small pauses. Aselia used the time to relax and catch her breath. The main theme followed by the climax was one of the most difficult and exhausting parts to sing. Nevertheless she moved through the rest of the song with grace and beauty in her voice. The previous dichotomous theme of melancholy and joy returned, slowed down more and more as the song moved towards the end … Eventually the notes faded into utter silence.

The ancient song of the siren had ended.

Aselia was a Konti girl again, hopped from the balustrade and beamed at her companion. Just as Satu, she was exhausted and breathing heavily, but she gladly accepted her hug and gave a pearling laugh. “Great! You were gorgeous!” After a short pause she added: “And very beautiful.” Looking at the audience over Satu’s shoulder made her ecstatic. So many happy faces!

Under such circumstances it didn’t matter – only Kamalia and Aselia knew that the song originally told the tragic story of a star falling from Ukalas and onto Mizahar where it couldn’t survive and desperately searched for a stairway back. Eventually the star didn’t find its way up. It was one of Kamalia’s favorite stories, but Aselia had sung it in a completely different way. Almost as if there had been a happy ending, although she hadn’t changed the words …

SongThe song is called Chowa Oto, created and sung by KOKIA. And please tell me if it isn't working!

[Gromhir]

Satu’s words instantly made Gromhir think of Kamalia. A fresh bout of anger surged through the Kelvic. If it weren’t for him, she’d still be on the Isle. She wouldn’t have had to leave. But because of the mess he’d gotten himself into, because he’d allowed himself to be swayed by doubt, he’d shattered her world. It was his duty to protect her and all he’d done was cause her more pain. He wasn’t sure why she still wanted him around but he had to stay strong for her.

He paid little mind to the happenings of the festival. The shouts and cheers, the reactions of the crowd to Satu and Aselia’s performance all seemed far off and distance. He didn’t even watch it. His eyes firmly fixed on the horizon. He’d once watched the same horizon but from a different direction. That day he first met the white lady he now cared for. On the sands, looking out to Mura, the Isle of the Konti that had become his home. He closed his eyes and sighed. He wasn’t sure if they would see it again. There were so many worries; it was hard to stay strong. But he had to, for her sake.

It was then that it occurred to him, that silence had fallen over the ship for a brief moment. Maybe it was because he was an Ivaski on the inside, but his voice projected well despite facing away from the festival itself. “I have a story,” he opened his eyes looking up to Syna. “But I am not good at telling stories. Yet I would share it with you, if you’d listen.” The Kelvic turned to those gathered, giving a brief nod to the Konti on stage.

“It concerns two brothers,” he began. His voice was solemn, the weight of his macabre emotions hanging on his every word. A face flashed in his mind, a woman, his mother. “They were not truly brothers. One was a fox, the other a wolf. As brothers went, they played together as cubs. Away from their parents. All was good in nature’s world. But things could not stay that way. They never stay that way.”

“In the end, they were different. Beings from two worlds. As they grew, so did the space that formed between them. There families pulled them away and for a long time, they never saw each other. The next time they met, things were different. The wolf had been hunting the fox. On the edge of a waterfall they met. The Fox recognised his old friend but the wolf was too loyal to his pack now. He had cubs of his own to feed. The fox was unwilling to fight despite the betrayal.”

“A great bear, in his wisdom, was guided by Nature to bring the pair back together. To stop the fight. But his cries for them to stop fell on deaf ears. But he knew they had to stop fighting one another. He attacked them both. Despite everything, the Fox defended his friend and the bear and fox fell off the waterfall. The Bear was washed away down the river. But as the Fox crawled to the shore. He faced the Wolf’s pack. As they closed in, his old friend, his brother, stepped in the way. The kindness repaid. They never met again but both knew that there was a friend they could always call on.”

His story finished, Gromhir turned back away from the crowd. Maybe he could be the Wolf to Kamalia’s fall.

OOCA slightly different take on my favourite disney film Hope it's ok.

[Satu]

In the stillness that occurred between one act and the next, Satu suddenly heard Gromhir’s voice. Lifting her head she looked to find the Ivaski where he stood at the ship’s railing. When had he come up from below? And why had he not come up to see her and Aselia? The fact that he was now on deck pleased her greatly. But his Heart felt heavy even amid the gaiety of the Festival; his spirits had not been lifted as she had hoped. A tiny crease formed at her brow, and she became concerned, until she heard the Kelvic would also tell a story. She gave a little bounce of cheer in her excitement for her friend to join in the festivities.

Gromhir nodded to the Konti above and Satu nodded back, a large smile growing on her face and enthusiasm in her eyes. His voice was strong as he spoke and it carried through the crowd as sailors and Konti alike sat spellbound. At the conclusion of his story, Satu clapped with the others, feeling comforted by the blanket of well-being that surrounded her from the crowd.

But then Gromhir didn’t join them as she thought he would, choosing instead to stay at his post by the rail. Something felt not quite right and she was going to find out what it was. In one smooth motion, Satu swept her legs to the side and stood. She moved gracefully down the stairs towards the man as others continued the Festival merriment. She wanted to speak with the Kelvic and offer support if he had need.

Throughout the day, epic tales had been told by the sailors about long forgotten sea monsters, pirates, lost loves and riches gained and lost by cruel fate. The stories had been exciting but now the mood was beginning to change. The combat and sparring portion of the Festival was near. The men could feel it and their spirits rose, and more physical and dynamic forms of entertainment were needed.

Softly her feet touched each step, barely making a sound as she descended to the lower deck and the Ivaksi. But her progress was interrupted by a young and somewhat timid sailor, “Excuse me Miss… uh, would you be willin’ ta spar with me? You and your Konti weapons?” he asked, pointing to her hips where the weapons rested. “I’m not half bad and I’ve got my own blade.”

Satu could see Gromhir over the boys shoulder but she didn’t want to offend the young man by blazing past him without a reply. “I have not decided if I will yet be sparring today,” she smiled at him. “Let us see what the fates bring us, yes?” And she swiftly stepped around him, squeezing his shoulder with her hand as she went.

Besides, she was now having second thoughts about using her suvai against good men such as these. Its inherent poison made sparring with the non-Konti something more serious than a little nick here or there. And while she did not know the man’s background in weapons training, she could not in good conscious spare with him.

Gromhir was now in front of her, so much had happened before they left the beloved Island. Searching her Heart for the right words and finding none, she said simply, “Gromhir? You are troubled.”

[Aselia Timandre]

Aselia listened to Gromhir’s story with genuine interest. Talking about animal friends somehow fitted him. She could see that he revealed a bit of his tender, loyal side to the sailors, just because he needed someone to talk to. So she listened, because she hoped that maybe his dark mood would fade if he realized that people were hearing his story and liked it. After he had finished, she started to clap together with Satu. Shortly after the crew followed.

Then the big event seemed to dissolve into a few smaller hot spots of storytelling, friendly chatter and starting spars. Weapons were unpacked, but some simply used their bare fists and trained bodies to wrestle each other down. Aselia wasn’t really keen on experiencing that kind of friendly competition, so she remained where she was, content with letting her gaze flow over the cheerful faces of the others. She was no HeartSeer like Satu, but at that day everyone could feel the bright and sunny atmosphere that was covering the whole deck.

Then she noticed her friend descending the staircase next to Aselia. A man addressed her as soon as she had set foot upon the lower deck, but from what Aselia could see she politely excused herself. Then she approached Gromhir, the static, lonely figure at the rail. It was good that Satu took care of him. When Kamalia slept, there really wasn’t much he could do but worry about her. Of course, he could took part in the competitions, but Aselia understood that he wasn’t in the right mood for that when Kamalia was so down these days. For her it looked like both of them suffered a lot.

However, she couldn’t do more than she had already done. Even though Kamalia hadn’t shown up yet, their stories and songs had at least been pretty lullabies and prayers for pleasant dreams. And after all, Aselia had come with them just because she wanted to support her sister and be there for her during those difficult times. For Ukalas’ sake, Kamalia had been banned from her birthplace and only home! Of course she couldn’t take that lightly.

Anyway, she hoped that Satu found the right words to cheer Gromhir up. At least a bit … She wished and prayed to Avalis that her wish would be fulfilled.

Although she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life when they reached Syliras, she knew what she could do at the moment. That was enough, wasn’t it? When a voice called out to her from the back, she turned around with the usual friendly smile on her lips. The captain walked over to her and quite eloquently locked her in a pleasant conversation. A charming man he was. Aselia even got used to the wrinkles after that day.

And while everyone was occupied with their own problems, the beautiful afternoon slowly turned into a cool, peaceful evening. The sky was darkening and first stars were showing up. Laviku was watching over the ship and his beautiful daughters. Aselia was certain that he was, so nobody had to worry …

Life was good, and time could heal all wounds. While laughing to the captain’s jokes and teasing him a little with her own unique sense of humor, she thought about that. One just had to wait patiently and everything would solve itself. So she thought and believed.

OOCIf you want to add anything, Satu, I think one more post is okay? If I'm too quick for you, we can go on for a while, but I think there's nothing left to say.

[Dusk]

XP Award! Aselia Timandre XP Award Singing: 2 XP Organization: 1 XP Rhetoric: 2 XP Lore Award Making Friends Planning a Festival Gromhir Whitemane XP Award Storytelling: 1 XP Lore Award Comforting a Bondmate Fighting Despair Satu XP Award Calligraphy: 1 XP Rhetoric: 1 XP Dancing: 1 XP Lore Award Homesickness Making Friends Kamalia Timandre XP Award Singing: 1 XP Lore Award Homesickness Giving in to Despair Additional Note A wonderful thread! Such sadness to the Konti... but hope as well, which was good to see. Grom, excellent job Modding the Captain, his personality and stories were great!