Closed {Zeltiva} A Familiar Face [Lavine]

[Thayer]

Timestamp: 10th of Spring, 513 AV

Thayer meets her long lost friend Lavine again in Zeltiva. They remember the many years ago they had of fun childhood back in their hometown of Ravok, but someone wants to barge in on their conversation, causing chaos to erupt and pain to be felt.



It had been a few days after Thayer had arrived in Zeltiva, and she was anxious to head back into the woods to the location of where she had meet her new friend. The woods had been both a devastating memory as well as a new birth of future memories, from both losing her mother and personality of both father and brother to finding someone who listens and cares about her.

The friend was a rabbit named Queneei and that had been clarified after a startling change from a defensive position hiding in the green brush to the friendly conversation of two complete strangers, which have now mended into more than just acquaintances. The animal was a sweet little thing that Thayer felt comfort by the simple feeling of calmness as it overcame her heart the minute she spoke to her. She felt comforted and relived to finally have someone to talk to and to finally know that someone is out there that is willing to listen and willing to try to understand.

But as Thayer was set on a scavenger hunt through the branches to their meeting spot, she heard no disturbance of any being within the prairie before her. Her assumptions were proved correct when she caught sight of only a ravine and more large trees, with no brunette herbavor sitting near the rook awaiting the arrival of her chatting mate.

Thayer talked to the rabbit as though she were human, and the creature looked back up at her always as though she understood. She loved the idea of having someone to talk to, whether the recipient be animal or human. The rabbit would be forever in her heart and mind whether she would see her again or not.

Thayer’s spirits dropped as she realised that either her friend had forgotten to come, couldn’t come for some personal reasons or didn’t want to. The last possible situation Thayer had thought felt like the slice of a serrated knife through melted butter.

But Thayer wasn’t easily deterred. She had been more than she thought she could handle and wasn’t going to be thrown down into the dirt by disappointment. The bunny would have to show up sometime or another, and when she did, Thayer would ask why she hadn’t come today, she would answer, and things would carry on as per usual. But now, Thayer had to try to think that Queneei was merely busy and not just in the mood to not show.

Thayer’s boredom quickly struck her down like a bowling ball eruption at the collision of soft pins- strike! She’d been so used to action and adventure or subtle conversation with a stranger out in the middle of the woods that she found herself easily bored as she stood in the middle of unidentifiable plants and trees. She’d be living in the town of Zeltiva for the next few seasons at least, and thought it would be best to get acquainted with the town she’d be living next to.

She set off into the direction of the town, pushing the thoughts of not having a conversation with the hare she seemed to have most connection with at the moment, hoping that tomorrow would be the day that they would rejoin in a fit of laughter and common talk.

The leaves Thayer passed along the way into the port city were fascinating; all different colours and shades ranging from brown to orange and yellow to partial lavenders and reds. Spring had sprung itself awfully quickly and Thayer was relieved, wishing for it to stay and not change its weather back into the unbearable harsh winter and its cold winds and icy snowfalls. Thayer hated winter just because of those reasons mentioned.

The final conclusion of Thayer’s likes, dislikes and interests were finally ceased when the trail of budding plants grew to a halt. Over a dimly lit sun, of which was slowly setting into the horizon across, was the wonderful city of the sea- Zeltiva. Of course Thayer had seen it before. She had passed through the way into the town to get here and had seen many sights in doing so. This was a difference, however. The way she saw it was as though she had a new set of eyes, with a new outlook of life in her mind. Perhaps it was the way the sun was positioned perfectly in the sky, casting warm rays of diminishing light among her pale, raisin-like body. Perhaps it was the way the colours of autumn coming back from the dead, soon to turn their colours back into the colours of spring that were seen in the corner of Thayer’s vision. Or perhaps it was just the thought that Thayer could start clean, on a new slate, a new dime in hand as she made her place known in such a city.

She pressed forward, descaling the hill of which she stood atop on, casually avoiding broken branches and using her nimble, quick feet to manoeuvre around obstacles of boulders and poisonous shrubbery.

Thayer hit the bottom of the hill, no longer surrounded by the shroud of blankets of leaves. She was covered in dirt, but she not know why. Her hair had bits of leaves and twigs in it and she looked as though she had just finished a brawl in the mud like a hog fighting for its meal. She didn’t think twice about fixing herself up to be presentable. One look in her eyes and Thayer’s confidence of being an intimidating woman was sure to dominate anyone’s hateful gaze. She didn’t care what she looked like, for she had looked far worse and had been made fun of more times than can count.

The first thing Thayer caught sight of as she entered the city, stepping onto the stone walkway of a nearby alleyway, was a tall man who appeared to be at least six feet tall. His eyebrows were heavy and furry, framing his small, crinkled blue eyes. His moustache was untrimmed and collided grossly with his unkempt beard. Thayer could predict the smell of whiskey on the man’s breath and the assumption of him being a common sailor just by the previous observations she had made.

Out in plain sight, Thayer’s eyes continued to drift up and down, scouring the area and its inhabitants. Her gaze landed on a young boy, holding what appeared to be a stick with a string attached to it, a ball connected to the string at the very end. He was bouncing the toy up and down, a smile plastered onto his face- one of more contentment than pure excitement. His guardian was over a few feet purchasing something from an elderly man behind the counter of a stand. The man’s eyes were trained more on the boy and his attitude towards the makeshift toy than on the father whom was buying his items.

The man ended his deal with the elder man behind the counter of his dark wooden stand with a wave of appreciation and a goodbye: “Thanks for the help Magnus!”

Thayer’s stare continued onward, taking in the scents, the sights and the feelings of what Zeltiva was and how it acted as a city.

Her eyes landed on what seemed to be a young brunette, her back turned but her composure clearly visible. Her shoulders were in between broad and basic, her hair worn long and in curls hardly noticeable to the human eye. The girl was leaning on one leg, one hand on her hip as she spoke to the group of women in front of her. She was talking rather loud, giggling at her own jokes and stories until she sighed, breaking the noise that seared the air, sending an awkward silence in everyone’s direction.

Something made Thayer’s heart race however. Something about this girl reminded Thayer of someone she once knew. The way the girl poised herself and the way that she laughed. Thayer would recognise that giggling chuckle anywhere, but she couldn’t place her finger on where.

And then the woman turned around, revealing two orange-brown orbs of light, her smile full of blinding light and happiness, and instantly Thayer knew who she was. But could it be? Could it be her long lost friend from the depths of Ravok’s lands?

There was only one way to find out the truth and as the familiar face of a possible relation stood there, eyes glinting off inspiration and admiration, Thayer started to take several steps in her direction, completely out of control of her bodies movements. She merely stepped aside as she continued trekking up to the girl who reminded her of someone she once knew… and loved dearly.

[Lavine]

Lavine had always loved telling stories. There was something about the mass of people crowded around that just made her heart race. She loved the way her stories could alter the mood of herself and others with a few fiery words. She loved the expressions on the faces of her listeners as they waited for words only she could deliver to them. It was a breath-taking experience.

Today, she had decided to weave a tale of laughter rather than suspense. The day had been long and rough. She had been from one end of the city to the other, and yet there seemed no jobs to be found. No one she had talked to had been willing to help her in the slightest. Her head pounded and her feet burned. All this made comedy much more appealing than drama for the moment. These girls clearly needed laughter too. Lavine could make out the creases in the older women's foreheads where worry obviously sat regularly, a slight sagging in each of their shoulders that told her how low their spirits were. Everyone would benefit from a good story, and Lavine could deliver just that.

With her crowd's attention captured, she spoke proud and clear- maybe a little louder than necessary. She couldn't help it, she was too far into the past now to hear herself speak. Her movements were exaggerated- acting out the story from time to time. She placed her hands first over her head, miming the motions of falling, then rested a single fist on her hip more comfortably. She faintly heard herself laugh at her own story. Partly because it really was funny, but mostly from relief.

"And then, he slipped right into the water! He called out to me in mock desperation, 'Help! I can't swim! I'm going to drown!' But I said," Lavine choked back a stray giggle. "But I said 'You're too full of hot air to drown!'"

Lavine tossed her head and sighed contentedly while her listeners laughed. Slowly, the group fell silent, waiting for more, anticipating her next words, but Lavine could think of nothing. Her mouth went dry and her palms began to sweat as stage-fright quickly gripped her. An awkward silence settled over the group like a wet blanket, smothering the magic and pulling Lavine from her lingual trance. A few of the people began to shuffle about anxiously. She could hear a couple of the younger women murmuring amongst themselves.

Afraid she was losing them, Lavine quickly searched around for inspiration. Instead, her eyes landed on something else. A strangely familiar girl was headed her way. As she watched the petite form, a thought slowly wound its way into her head. The sight of the girl was warm and welcome, like an old favorite memory. Something about the way her pale skin contrasted with her stunningly straight black hair rung a bell in Lavine's mind. Curiously, she cocked her head off to one side. It couldn't be... But then her eyes caught on the girl's own vibrant pools, so weighted by the burdens of life, and she knew. She knew it was her.

With a breath of finality, Lavine waved dismissively to her crowd and set herself on a path to her long lost friend, a path she had been chasing for far too long.
"Excuse me!" She called over the din of rowdy sailors, "I have a strange question. Would the name, Lavine mean anything to you?"

[Thayer]

The girl continued to scan the vast expanse of both building and stone walkways, of which had recently become filled with the numerous locals that stayed within Zeltiva’s city limits. Her eyes trained, as if trying to find something, something to which Thayer assumed would bring joy and laughter to the few ladies that stood behind her, frowns strewn upon greyed faces. Her eyes, pupils dilated into taught orbs, instantaneously grew into large saucers, as though she had just witnessed a murder.

Thayer paused, momentarily stunned as the female put a petite foot in front of the first, seeming to prepare charge in her immediate direction. Was this indeed the friend she had those many years before? It was obvious the woman who came bounding toward Thayer had grown, her height not only of great difference, but her smile and the way she presented herself, nose crinkling when her lips parted to show white teeth; her eyes and the way they seemed to twinkle through the darkness, the only light keeping the pain at bay. And her voice, a sound of both tidal waves hitting shore and dinner bells chiming the house, clashed gentling with the melody of the harp of angels as she spoke aloud, “Excuse me!”

Was she talking to Thayer? The girl was now a few feet away before Thayer began having second thoughts, turning herself in the opposite direction to try and escape the oncoming conversation she felt was coming. How could she be able to talk about the past when so much horror has happened? How could she have the same feelings for this girl if she was indeed the friend from Ravok, when her family had been torn to shreds?

Lavine. The brunet had asked a question about the recognition of her name, yet something was stuck in between the gears in both Thayer’s mind and heart. Did she know anyone by the name of Lavine? Was her long lost friend’s naming truly something so unique and exuberant as Lavine? The first of many images that conjured within Thayer’s mind were of a stream and green shrubbery; weeds pulled out of blackened top soil. They quickly vanished as a hand turned Thayer around to meet a fair toned face with rosy cheeks and smoldering brown eyes.

“Lavine,” Thayer whispered the sound that left her desert dry throat, and escaping from her chapped lips like one of both cough and mutter.

An electric current, like the slap of one’s hand across the face, pulled at Thayer’s eyelids, lodging a lump of phlegm so deep down her throat.

“Come on,” Thayer choked, feeling her eyes start to well up in tears. She grabbed Lavine’s hand in a quick motion, and took off down the main road, blinking back the stream that was forming in her gaze. She hadn’t cried for so long, thought that she had enough strength to feel no more emotion, to feel numb. Half of these emotions made Thayer feel weak, helpless and useless, but the other half of her made her feel warm, human and relieved. She both ignored this as well as relished it.

Thayer abruptly rounded a corner, passing a regular couple to the finest bar in town. She had observed these two everyday admits the vegetation’s shadows, picking up on the favourite past times of the people of Zeltiva. She knew where she was headed, but was afraid her friend would become frightened of her sudden, desperate movements as she tore off for a private place to talk- The Quill’s Rest, and end up rejecting being led, fighting for the release of her wrist.

Luckily Thayer met the heavy wooden doors, her hair masking her face, the last remains of twigs and leaves flown away by the force of the wind as it battled against her rampage through the streets. It was a miracle that she was able to keep her companion at her side and not dragging on the ground by the speed she had been bolting.

The building was beautiful, just as Thayer had remembered it from her beginning tour the first day she had arrived within Zeltiva’s mountainous entrance. Papers and short novels were placed randomly in every corner and on many tables; dark oaken shelves enclosed a large stone fireplace as they held binds and binds of texts. The rest looked similar to a normal café; stools lined the outside of an island and a content young male manned the other side, giving few orders of Kelp tea to an elder couple. Only an imagination like one such as Thayer’s could cause disagreement that such a place would be labeled as a simple library and given the description of a small, confined area.

“Lavine,” Thayer whispered again, only a bit louder this time so that it was audible to her partner as she turned around to face her, depressing emotions no longer visible in her pale face. “Lavine.”

Thayer quickly quirked a smile, her lips cracking in the process as she spoke the words she’d never thought she’d say to her friend again, “How are you?"

[Lavine]

Lavine rubbed her wrist pointedly, stealing a moment to look around. The Quill's Rest wasn't a place she was familiar with, but maybe it should be. The bar- if it could really be called that- was quaint and charming. The light smell of smoke from the fireplace and old writings hung in the air around the inspired artists and novelists who sat in various corners. Lavine inhaled deeply, enjoying the natural perfume. Her eyes slid over the few quiet patrons to the single, lonely bartender. She waited until his eyes settled on her before holding up two fingers. Two please. She mouthed. The man nodded and busily set to work. She silently prayed that they served good, hot drinks here before sinking in to a nearby seat.

When Lavine turned to face Thayer, she was hit with the vibrant blue echo of her own depths. Thayer's eyes shone with the pure glee of a child that had just seen magic for the first time. Lavine imagined her own looked much the same though. There was so much love in her own heart, even if it was unexplained. She had to resist the strong urge to lean over and hug the poor, unsuspecting Thayer. Somehow, she wasn't sure either of them could handle that, at least, not yet. Instead, she threw her an ear-to-ear grin.

Since they had arrived, Thayer had been murmuring something to herself. Now she spoke louder, more to Lavine. "Lavine. Lavine." Whether the girl was speaking in disbelief or was lost in memory it was hard to tell. Suddenly, she seemed to snap out of it. A lopsided grin slowly curled her lips as she chimed, "How are you?"

It was a simple phrase, but it let loose the floodgates of memories trapped in Lavine's mind, bringing with it a torrent of emotions. Her life flashed before her like a scrapbook, waiting all this time to be revealed. She gently closed her eyes and let her childhood unfold.

A day spent smelling the flowers. Two best friends playing tag, toddling down a wooded path outside Ravok. A song, a dance, and a night around a campfire. Then came the announcement. She saw again Thayer's sad eyes when she had to tell Lavine. She felt the brave smile they'd shared. The reassuring pats on the back. Oh, but no one knew the tears she had shed in private. She relived the whole journey to Zeltiva that had never seemed to end. The hope and despair that had rested deep in her stomach the whole time. She felt the disappointment hit her like a lightening bolt out of the blue when she realized she hadn't, couldn't, find her friend.

The flashbacks slowed when she came to the feeling of being reunited with the closest thing to a sister she'd ever had. She felt her eyes open to a new beginning, and she smiled. She welcomed a new chapter in her life.

A lump of emotion clogged her throat and tears washed out her vision. Why was she so emotional? She never cried like this, in public especially! Lavine tried to blink back the tears but they spilled over her cheeks instead, leaving a salty taste on her lips.

Luckily, the man came over then, placing two steaming mugs on the table. "Two kelp teas." He said with a fake smile. Lavine grabbed hers quickly and hid her wet face behind it, praying Thayer hadn't noticed her puffy eyes. With a shaking hand, Lavine pulled out a handful of Silver Mizas, tossing them to the server. She hoped he would take the hint and leave them be. Seemingly satisfied with the tip, he shuffled away.

While she could still talk, Lavine decided to try and spit out the words lodged in her throat. But what could possibly sum up every emotion inside her? Where were the words for a lifetime of mourning a girl she hardly remembered? The longing for companionship that she had missed as soon as it had gone, how could she ever explain that?

"How am I?" Lavine laughed a shaky chuckle and responded the only way she could. "Much better now that you're here."

[Thayer]

Thayer saw her friend rubbing her pinched wrist thoughtfully out of the corner of her eye, and mentally apologised. A great way to start off the awaited conversation she so hoped to have. But apparently it wasn’t a problem to the small girl. She was too busy taking in her surroundings and noticing the overwhelming, yet comfortable heat of solitary that spread in the air from the flames of the fire.

Thayer saw it too, whether she had been here before or not, she felt a new aura around her now that she was accompanied by a person who she knew, another Kelvic to bond with. She had completely forgotten! She was about to ask as many questions that would tumble out of her mouth as permitted in an abrupt way rather than nonchalantly asking ‘how are you’, but was interrupting by the vision of tears through a pained smile.

Thayer couldn’t help but feel her own face tighten into a weak try as a smile, as it felt more like a grimace of pain rather than a grin of empathy. She couldn’t help it either, the waterfall of tears spilling over, Thayer having no authority to control them. She would have hurt herself for her weak actions if it were not a time such as this.

Suddenly the tears subsided, turning into cackles of laughter, giggles erupting in both girls, as though they had just inhaled helium and were now floating above many pure clouds.

“Well that’s good to hear,” Thayer chuckled. Now was the opening she had wanted, and by noticing the previous actions of her long lost friend had made, she knew she had to make her move now.

“Why are you here in Zeltiva? How’s life been?” She wanted to avoid all attention on her for as long as possible, for she wasn’t quite ready to accept all the events that had currently happened to her. She was also interested in digging deeper into the life of her friend, whom had now become an acquaintance. She wanted to start fresh, ask her all the simple question like: what is your favourite colour, food, animal? But another half of Thayer froze up. What if her friend’s answer pained her too much to announce? Could she still trust the same Kelvic Lynx as she did when they were younger? What if the past she would share would be more bad news than good? She hoped with the bottom of her heart things had been kind to Lavine, because she sure hadn’t been.

Real TimeI'm sorry. This was typed up really fast and edited in a quick manner. When we are completely finished with this thread we can go back in and edit all that needs to be. I am also certain that the next few posts will be short and sweet, full of updates and questions coming from both girls. Where shall the thread go on from there? Private Message me so that we can talk.

[Lavine]

Lavine sniffled, desperately trying to pull herself together. Her mind was still flooded with the with memories as she tried in vain to focus on the world around her. Each of her senses felt foggy, dulled by emotion, for no amount of sense can over-come a heart-broken girl. Just when she felt sure she would never escape from her own mind, she heard a laugh. It seemed to come from the girl in the seat opposite her. Thayer? This was the only thing about Thayer that wasn't familiar. Where Lavine remembered a care-free giggle, like the bubbling of a brook, there was now a hearty, soulful laugh that more resembled the rolling of thunder. The sound was as comforting as a hug to Lavine and it pulled her from her sorrow with minimal time and effort.

"Why are you here in Zeltiva? How's life been?"

The words threatened to unleash the floodgates once again, but like a mental sandbag, Lavine recalled her tale as though it were a story. She ached to tell it in Vani, but knew she wouldn't get it all right, even if Thayer could understand. She took a shaky breath and a second swig of Kelp Tea before beginning.

"Well, you might remember Mam wasn't feeling too well when you left. We think she caught something when she was out fighting some beast or another." Lavine shook her head silently. How strange it was, she could cry over her friend's reunion but her own mother's death left her cold as a stone. "She didn't get better. Pa went too, before her body was even cold. Let me tell you, there were some rough days. It was almost too much."

Lavine barreled on, never stopping for breath. Afraid if she did, she would never start again. "I couldn't stand being there anymore. Every corner I turned, every shop I entered, there they were. But I could never touch them, never see them smile again. I had no choice but to leave. I needed something entirely different, Ravok's opposite. I actually wanted to go to Sylria, you know, busy city. Perfect place to get lost and found. By accident, I took the wrong road. I went the wrong way for days before I realized I was headed for Zeltiva. By then, it was too late to turn around." Lavine gave Thayer a weak smile. "And was it so wrong if it ended like this?"

"Anyway, I've been here for not too long now. A week? Two? I still haven't settled in for sure though. No real house, no job, no friends. The high point of every day is just flying around my campsite, and even then I have to be careful. Some folks are pure savages around here! I s'pose you don't have that problem as a wildcat, but I near about got my tail feathers cut off on the way into the city this morning!"

"I am glad I made the journey alone though." Lavine finished, "I feel like I finally proved to Mam that I could be an adeventurer too. If I wanted to that is."

It was time to turn the tables. Lavine stalled for a moment, trying to figure out how to broach the tender topic. She had already seen the hurt on her friend's face at the mention of family. Had something happened in her absense? Could the topic be too sensitive? The wound still raw? The Thayer Lavine had known could handle it, and no amount of time could change that distinct harshness. Before she could change her mind, Lavine queried, "So, what's going on with you? Where are you staying?" Then, cautiously, "With your family?"

[Thayer]

Thayer had no recollection of receiving a drink from the man behind the counter, whose face looked greyed with distress and age. When she saw Lavine drink from the mug she felt a little light headed. She had paid for a drink for her, yet Thayer had never acknowledged it. Mentally she murmured to her conscience to say thank you for the tea later, no matter how she disliked its taste.

And then Lavine delved into a story, one of which seemed too fictional at first, but then grew apparent it was the truth in words. Her mother had gotten sick, her father leaving soon as well, yet she had managed herself and travelled solo until a new destination had run its course off an unidentifiable fate. When Lavine mentioned how long she had been within the city, Thayer couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Only two weeks? Her parents’ death must have not been more than a few seasons ago. A prick of nausea caressed Thayer’s heart at the mention of her friend’s lonely homelessness, and Thayer was determined to invite her into her tent before Lavine’s next question erupted a war into her mind.

“So what’s going on with you? Where are you staying? With your family?” Too many questions came out of that vivid story telling machine and Thayer couldn’t handle all of them at once. She found herself to be not as strong as she had once assumed she was.

Thayer didn’t have enough time to conceal her grimace, her taught lips and scrunched up nose adding to the picture of her eyes into the slits of pain. She ended up shutting her eyes and breathing slowly and deeply before thrusting out a disagreement with hostile force.

“No, no I am not,” and then she continued from the start, “when we left Ravok I felt grief and sadness, but I pushed it away, knowing me,” she faked a smile, “You remember my… father,” she swallowed, “always making me tough. He said it was merely an obstacle, something to face and overcome; a challenge to one’s testable thoughts. He told me to forget about it. Forget!” Thayer tried to shake away the thoughts but closing her eyes once more and nodding the acceptance.

“When we found out way to a new forest next to the assumed lands of Zeltiva, it was hard, Lavine.”

Thayer grabbed at her friend’s hand and held it in hers, looking into the depths of the caverns of dark bronze as she noticed them both twinkling and shining with fear, interest and excitement.

“It was hell without you, my friend.” Thayer’s words pierced the air, and even she noticed a few bystanders stop to listen in on their conversation.

“The forest was green and beautiful, lush, however. The neighbours-mainly full blood animals- were sweet and supportive, too. I never met anyone else like you, though. There were many Kelvics in the woods, all living as though they were complete animals among the others, I assumed.” Here, Thayer lost the twinkle in her eyes and the song playing in her heart. The record was stuck on repeat, conjuring up tears to fill her eyes as the pupils grew large. Soon, Thayer wasn’t Thayer anymore, and instead she was out of her body and reliving the terrible time again.

“But not too long ago, a group of creatures came. I thought they were hunters when instead they were a pack of wolves.” Thayer started speaking faster, and darker with every word, as though she were indeed trapped in the events of the past.

“They took members away from their families, screams were stolen by the growls and howls of wolves. Father told me to run, and to take my brother with, and we did. I didn’t understand why he wanted to stay behind. My brother and I were separated and all was a mess, and my mother…” Thayer’s voice cracked as she finished up short, choking on her last few words. Tears started streaming down her heated cheeks as they were cooled instantly by the salty liquid.

She rested her head on Lavine’s shoulder, trusting her only to handle her sudden actions with appropriate reactions. She sputtered mucus and tried to continue, muttering muffled words. “Toril isn’t the same and father hasn’t come back from the wreckage. He tried to find refugees and uncover salvage back home. I haven’t seen him in weeks. Toril is now my parent, my guardian,” Thayer ended, spitting out the last few words in distasteful disagreement.

Then she released herself from her embrace with her friend’s arms and brushed away her pitiful tears. “We live in a tent now,” she said feeling the disgraceful emotions slipping off on her tongue. How stupid, someone such as herself having to live life in a tent with her brother, without a family. It would have probably been better if all of her family had died instead of one or two, that way you wouldn’t have to be constantly reminded over your losses by the vision of a brother or father’s presence.

She hated this attention and feeling of having to go through this kind of pain. This wasn’t the type of conversation Thayer had prepared herself for. She expected a simple talk over the tea she didn’t find tasteful, about each other’s interests and about what good has changed, not a sob story about the deaths and personal changes in the immediate family.

“Toril has changed,” Thayer interrupted the awkward silence continuing her mental train of thought. “Perhaps we could continue this conversation up there in our… tent… and not have to disturb the locals here,”-she gave a weary eye over her shoulder to a sinister frown from an elderly man- “and you could be reunited with him. He’s been wondering about you for a long while as well.” Thayer had somehow regained her composure and as though struck with a bipolar illness, she no longer felt weakened with sadness.

“Come?” An outstretched hand pleasantly met the other Kelvic, tentatively awaiting to be filled in with other fingers. To be reunited was an unmet goal of which Thayer wanted so desperately dreamt to fulfil. And could resist her sullen eyes and merciful emotions that never came out to play no matter how much pain she had to withstand?

The song I was listening to when I wrote this out.

[Lavine]

Lavine instantly regretted asking about her family. Clearly, the world had not been so forgiving on Thayer's end. She saw the pain-filled expression cast shadows across her friend's face, which, just a moment ago, had held pure joy. As soon as Lavine heard the first sorrowful words tumble from Thayer's mouth, she felt selfish to have thought her own story was so terrible, her own life so harsh.

She mulled over the words in her mind, trying to let reality sink in. Her mother was dead, her father...missing? Dead. The thought popped into Lavine's head even before she had a chance to think it over. She dared not mention the possibility though, for Thayer seemed to have a hard enough time dealing with his being away. Lavine had no idea, the pain of not knowing. She had always known, she had been there when it happened. She had held her mother's hand and kissed it goodbye, knowing once and for all that it was over. Yet here was Thayer; her father lost, her brother changed, and she still kept going. Lavine felt nothing but respect and adoration for this strong hearted Kelvic.

Strangers stopped and stared, a few with care in their eyes, many with annoyance, but Lavine gave them no attention. She focused solely on the woman, turned to a little girl by the close encounters of death and pain. The girl with tears rolling quietly down her face. When Thayer took her hand, Lavine squeezed gently, although she wasn't sure Thayer noticed. That was all right though, the gesture was more for herself anyway. Just to make her feel as though she had brought some light to a helpless situation. It must have comforted Thayer in some way, for she leaned closer, using Lavine as a shoulder to cry on while she told her story from beginning to end. Most of it didn't register with Lavine. She still felt in shock at finding her friend. She imagined this must be how birds felt when their trees were cut down. She hadn't been planning to stay, but the question nagged her anyway. Where was home now?

Once Thayer appeared dried of tears, she sat up. “Toril isn’t the same and father hasn’t come back from the wreckage. He tried to find refugees and uncover salvage back home. I haven’t seen him in weeks. Toril is now my parent, my guardian,” Lavine's mind filled with comforting words to offer the girl, but she held them back. If Thayer was already embarrassed, there was no doubt that comforting words would cause her to shy away like a frightened deer. Her expression was almost ashamed, as though this were a weakness or inconvenience rather than the strength it was. There is no greater show of strength than to just release those feelings. That's hard! Of course Thayer didn't see it that way. She continued on as though nothing had happened.
"Toril has changed. Perhaps we could continue this conversation up there in our...tent..." Again, Thayer looked ashamed. Did she think Lavine would accuse her of creating a sob story? "And not have to disturb the locals here and you could be reunited with him. He's been wondering about you for a long while as well."

Lavine's heart gave a tiny kick. Her memories of Toril were nothing short of bliss. She had idolized the strong, young warrior, always picturing him as her knight in shining armour. But Thayer had said he changed. What she hadn't said was, how much? Lavine was tempted to decline, to keep her memories happy, but knew she would regret not seeing him. That, and the look Thayer had given her was hard to deny. As much as she resented the position, Lavine was Thayer's shooting star. If this wish had come true, what else could happen? She could almost see the hope washing on the shores of her ice cold, ocean blue eyes.

By the time Thayer reached out an open palm, happiness was in her once again. So when Thayer practically whispered, "Come?", Lavine had no choice but to lock fingers with the Kelvic.
With a light chuckle Lavine added, "Maybe you'd better lead." In more ways than one, Lavine was sure that Thayer could be her leader.

[Thayer]

It was all a distraction. The surroundings, the sound the fire made as it spit out charred remains of wood splinters and ripped up paper, the smell of the dusty, old pages of books and the whispers that followed with slurps from teas and other beverages. It was all a distraction for Thayer and her incoherent thoughts. Her words didn’t even make any sense, surprising Thayer into questioning Lavine’s sense of hearing as well as comprehending.

Her hand was still outstretched, grasping for a beam of light, a stream of colour, or a soft hand of warmth and feeling. And then the connection was made; the open slots in between her frigid fingers had been filled with lose of similar race. She knew what life must be like for a Kelvic, for she was one as well, but she also had a good sense of loss and betrayal when it came to family, having Thayer feel comforted by this knowledge.

“Maybe you better lead.” The idea was more of a statement than the question Thayer had predicted her friend to say, but all the more she acknowledged it with open arms and thought kindly of being known as a leader.

Embraced fingers and sly smiles spread upon sullen faces, the two girls started to leave the Quill’s Rest. The sour smell of an elderly fisherman and his stale tea, the warmth of the smoldering flames, the aroma of decade old books and the atmosphere of comfort and belonging suddenly vanished as they stepped out the door, unready to be trampled by reality.

A minor panic attack struck Thayer atop the head at the abrupt differences that now enveloped both girls. Thayer didn’t have the mood of tolerance and self-control vacant to her at the moment, therefore having her stride with immortal speed until her and her companion behind were met with grassy hills of wildlife.

“I thought my father had set up a place for us to stay, a cabin even, or something for us before time knowing him,” Thayer’s nose twitched angrily, “but then I found out that he only gave Toril a tent, a couple bedrolls, a lamp and some blankets.”

And as soon as they had trekked up the large mountain of green, in her peripheral vision, Thayer made out the tent that was discussion not moments ago set deep in between two large oak trees. The flap was drawn open, yet no one was inside keeping it occupied. The ground around the tent was all matted down as though some heavy object had first made its home on that part of land first.

Then,Toril stepped out from behind a few bushes and tall weeds, carrying an armful of wood and a pocket full of unidentifiable fruits or vegetables as they tumbled out and made friends with the dirt below. He hurried to pick them up and keep them as sanitary as his lack of hygienic skills could muster. He was also completely oblivious to the two Kelvic girls that stood mere yards away, frozen in place.

His hair was close to shoulder length, a bit shorter than normal; his eyes were dark, the spheres the colour of blueberries; his complexion had grown pale, all an unnatural picture to Thayer and her normal image of her brother whom she had used to admire with much heart.

“Toril,” Thayer spoke through gargled phlegm as she cleared her throat. “Toril.” His head shot up, eyes of sapphire widening at the sight of his sister with another being.

“Toril, this is Lavine,” Thayer walked closer to her brother, her friend in tow, “from Ravok.”

The boy named Toril looked in awe, his mouth open, eyes as large as saucers, his nose twitching slightly in the way Thayer adored as he tried to piece together both past and recent events.

“Lavine,” he whispered, but he was not too much a shy and quiet guy. “Lavine was your friend from Ravok,” he spoke louder and proudly, an inquiry for himself more than for Thayer. “Do you want to come in?-” he pointed toward the tent- “I have freshly harvested cabbage as well as onions and freshly picked berries I bought from the store earlier today we could eat.”

Thayer pressured Lavine with a slight gesture of her hand. She led her into the tent, sat her down and gazed into her amber orbs as though ready to interrogate her for an unknown reason. Toril followed suit with a smile much too large to be genuine and real, having him look like a Cheshire cat.

Thayer grimaced as Toril asked what had been happening in Lavine’s life since they had left. She was hesitant to speak up, but was subsequently cut short when Toril breathed deeply as if he knew of the disaster that had happened. His eyes told understanding and prediction as he noticed the solemn expression plastered upon Lavie’s face. Her eyes were cold, but truthful as she stood motionless and silent. Thayer stared her friend down, wondering what her next moves would be, admiring her sense of strength. Both girls had endured far too much pain in their short lived lives, yet both had proceeded with living and had managed themselves thus far. But would one of them crack under the pressure soon?

[Lavine]

Lavine followed dutifully into the open air. Any other time, she would have welcomed the alleys and streets, but after her emotional ordeal they seemed quite confining.

The town life passed the pair by, shoving them aside like any other street scum. The air was thick and clammy, or at least it seemed that way to Lavine. It left her gasping for air. How badly she wanted to burst away, to fly, but knew it wouldn't work here. Even with the limited number of people, it still wouldn't go without notice, and attention was the last thing she wanted right now. Just when the streets seemed to be caving in, giving way to a claustrophobic feeling, her eyes found an open space. The sight of a thin break in the buildings and people was almost as welcome as the tent that lay on the horizon.

As the duo neared two great oaks, the tent came into clearer focus. Along with it, a young man was silhouetted against the sun's rays. Once she could see him clearly, they both froze. Watching like a wolf pack chasing down their meal, they observed the man for a minute. Obviously male, even from a distance, he was of fairly average height and build. He had dark features; his hair was near black, his eyes an ocean blue. His whole mannerism gave Lavine a comforted feel. This must be Toril.
His hair was not messy, just carelessly loose, dangling an inch or so past his ears. He clothes were lose, but not disgustingly slow, just as if he hadn't bothered to get a tailored fit. His posture, the very way he held himself spoke of confidence. This image was only slightly marred when he dropped an array of foods on the ground.

Once he had retrieved his fruits and vegetables, The girls neared. Lavine wasn't sure if he recognized her, but it didn't matter too much anyway. Her mind was still buzzing from the busyness of the day. Toril and Thayer held a short conversation. Lavine mostly tuned this out as she was trying to take notes on their curious relationship. Thayer had called Toril her guardian, but so far, he didn't seem to act as one. She was lost in thought so deeply that she didn't notice when he invited her in.

Next thing she knew, there was pressure on her shoulder and she was being led into the tent. The inside was a good size- enough room for four bedrolls. It may have been a little small to live in all the time but the three of them could sit and eat without problem. They spoke awhile longer about trivial details. All they seemed to speak of were things she already knew, or could have guessed anyway. Her mind felt as though it were playing static, drowning out the meaningless, polite conversation.

Without warning, the man's ocean blue eyes honed in on Lavine. The radio in her mind picked up a sudden signal when he spoke. He wanted to know about her life. Lavine nearly laughed out loud from frustration. She had already been through the story once and wasn't willing to do so again so soon- with a practical stranger to boot. Trying to keep her voice clear of sarcasm, she replied "I'm not doing as good as I could, but I'm still alive aren't I? That's more than some folk can say."

The truth of her bitter words was like dumping water onto the group. The thought lay heavily in their hearts for a moment. Lavine could never be sure whether the others saw the honesty in the statement, or simply stayed silent so as not to aggravate the insane girl. Either way, no one spoke.

In order to take the sting from her cold greeting, Lavine continued on to inquire about Toril's life. Not the past, no, she had been down that road before. A random thought briefly traipsed through Lavine's mind, as she was prone to have. She thought that she would love to see a garden and maybe grow one on her own someday, but the stray thought was quickly brushed aside. Don't be absurd. You've no room for a garden. But these two might. After a patch of awkward silence, Lavine curiously nodded to the food.
"How do you afford the food? Does one of you have a job or is it just a homegrown?"