Distant Lands, Different Lives (Nira'lia)

by **Avari** on March 23rd, 2012, 7:40 pm

The smooth and duplicitous words that Avari had been eager to speak died on her lips when Nira'lia stopped smiling and dropped Avari's gloved hands as though her touch had scalded the delicate Konti. When Nira'lia revealed in a whisper that she couldn't leave Zeltiva because of her mother, a cold chill ran down Avari's spine and she took a small step back to collect her thoughts. Out of sheer habit, she had made the tempting-sounding offer to Nira'lia with the vague intention of profiting off her somehow. In the excitement of scheming up a plan, though, Avari had forgotten that this was a Konti she was planning to swindle. If anyone would see through her, it would be a Konti.

And if Nira'lia's mother were with her, then the elder and wiser Konti would see through Avari's flimsy schemes that much faster. Avari fought down her sigh of resignation and told herself she ought to have known better. She returned Nira'lia's smile with a small, slightly forced smile of her own and nodded in agreement at Nira'lia's remark on their race's longevity.

"Well, as long as I am here in Zeltiva," she replied, adding with a wry chuckle, "and it will probably be a long time, as I too am finding Zeltiva is not an easy place to leave behind for various reasons... But as I was saying, as long as I'm still here, you are free to seek me out, should your mother ever change her mind and allows you to return to the White Isle." Just as long as you don't bring your mother along when you seek me out, she added privately.

"Though I realize that this is advice unsolicited," Avari couldn't resist continuing, as she thought of the years she had spent in Mura yearning to leave but not daring to try, "I want to tell you that a dream deferred can be a painful thing. The longer you leave your dream unfulfilled, the more it will hurt and trouble you. Believe me, I know it very well. I can tell that you want very much to return to Mura. I hope you do not wait too long to fulfill your dream."

Her smile was a little warmer now, a little more genuine, as she regarded Nira'lia. Though Avari usually did not like giving anything away for free, not even advice, it had been a long time since she had spoken Kontinese with anyone, and she hadn't realized until now how much she had missed it. The sound of her native tongue was like silver in the air, tingling and tremulous. For that, a little free advice was a small price to pay in return, Avari felt.

Glancing sidelong at the portrait of Laviku on the wall, she gestured to Nira'lia to turn toward the mighty depiction of their divine father.

"Until then, let us pray together to Lord Laviku to guide us both toward the shores that we desire," she invited the other Konti. "You back to the White Isle, and me to explore the wonders of the world beyond Zeltiva and Mura. We may not dream alike, but we both dream. Surely, if we join our voices, our father will hear us and perhaps choose to heed our dreams a little sooner."

She bent her head and folded her hands together, remembering the ritual prayer that all Konti children learned to praise and petition Laviku. Surely, Nira'lia would know it too, even if she had been born in Sunberth. If not, well, she trusted that Nira'lia could at least follow along.

"Great father, who holds dominion over the deep waters and the salty waves that lap the shore,
Who raised our holy mother to divinity and gave her eternal life,
Who protects her children with the might of your sacred waters,
We humbly beseech you
To bless us on our journey through the seas of life
And, should we overcome all hardships,
Bring us to the port where our hearts reside.
Buffet us not with tides of suffering and misfortune,
But wash away our fears and sorrows
And carry us safely upon the currents of your vast ocean
To gentle harbor, where our souls may find peace and prosperity.
May your creatures of the sea smile upon us and shield us from all danger
And may your surging waters guard, guide, and preserve us evermore.
Amen."

by **Nira'lia** on March 25th, 2012, 4:18 pm

Nira'lia couldn't say anything about the abrupt change of aura in the conversation. She couldn't understand what was on Avari's mind -- the other woman seemed uneasy about something, but Nira'lia didn't have a clue what about. However, Nira'lia listened to Avari's words of advice. She nodded slowly as she let every word sink in. This was a woman of great judgement; that much Nira'lia knew.

'Yes, I should not wait too long...' Nira'lia reminded herself. She gave a painful smile, in contrast to the warm one that the other Konti gave her.

Nira'lia enjoyed praying alongside other people. For her, prayers seemed more powerful when done in numbers. Of course, she believed that the Gods listened to their people; but having someone beside her, speaking the same words, hoping for the same thing, it made her feel more at ease.

She lingered her stare at Avari, observing the other woman's beauty. Aside from that, Nira’lia had observed that her every word seemed to be laced with wisdom. She had a very natural way of speaking, and Nira'lia liked that. Nira'lia could tell that Avari was not like any other Konti--nor like any other person of any race for that matter.

"Yes, let's pray..." whispered Nira'lia. With much grace, she faced towards Laviku's portrait and bent her head, assuming the same position that Avari took. They were side by side, focused on one prayer. She knew the prayer, and she felt something heavy within her being lifted as her lips murmured the words which asked for Laviku's protection.

When they were done, she took a few seconds to silently lift up her own personal prayer. She prayed for her family, for her own hopes and dreams, and lastly she prayed for this woman beside her.

After she said the last word in her prayer, Nira'lia slowly opened her eyes and smiled to herself. She slowly stood up and dusted off her skirt. Facing Avari, she gave the other Konti a sweet smile.

"Thank you for telling me about Mura... I know you're going to get to travel to so much more places, so there is no need for me to hope for that. Instead, I'll be praying for your protection," said Nira'lia, her voice soft and calm. Her eyes twinkled with delight, and she gave Avari a sweet smile, nodding her head in farewell. "I will see you again someday."

by **Avari** on March 26th, 2012, 8:28 pm

Perhaps the prayer had instilled some peace into Avari's heart, or perhaps it was simply the thought of Nira'lia's origins and the suffering she must have endured in Sunberth. Perhaps it was simple gratitude for reminding her twice in one day about the foolishness of trying to steal from a fellow Konti, whether with swift fingers or sweet words. Whatever the reason, somehow the soft-spoken Nira'lia's promise to pray for Avari did not irritate her nearly as much as it would have coming from almost anyone else. She opened her eyes and smiled back at Nira'lia, seeing how their shared prayer had restored sweet serenity to the other woman's face.

"Well, only a fool ignores a prediction of the future, when it's made by a Konti," she quipped. "I hope you are right about traveling to other places, for sure! It's a wide world full of wonders out there, and now I know to avoid Sunberth if I ever manage to leave Zeltiva and explore it."

Mimicking Nira'lia, she too stood up and dusted off her breeches, though not quite as gracefully as the other Konti did it.

"You are welcome, for my stories, and I, in turn, appreciate your speaking of your time in Sunberth. I know it must not have been easy for you." With a sincerity she didn't know she possessed, Avari went on, "I hope you will find more happiness here in Zeltiva than you did in Sunberth. Laviku and Avalis grant that you may go home someday, one way or another.

"Until then, I am sure our paths will crisscross again," she continued. "As I said, if you ever do hear your Call or simply decide to strike out on your own, you should come find me. Considering how few of our people stay in this city, I'm sure it won't be hard." Her eyes glinted with amusement. "Something more than chance brought us together today, and in Laviku's temple, no less. No doubt something more than chance will bring us together again in the future."

One Konti outsider to another, they smiled at each other for the last time, before they turned to depart the temple in companionable silence. Once more, the wind outside ruffled their hair before swooping low to brush against the waves of Laviku's sea. His daughters, standing upon the hill that held his temple in Zeltiva, could only hope that the god had heard their prayers. Until then, though, the feeling of having been cleansed and lightened of their burdens by their visit to his temple would suffice for both of them.

by **Echelon** on March 28th, 2012, 11:41 am

Adventurer's Loot

A Gift
Experience is it's own reward.

Avari's Loot :

Nira'lia's Loot :

(Was very sweet to read. I loved seeing this rare side of Avari. Both of you, especially Nira'lia, watch your tenses.) - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, don't hesitate to PM me.