Closed Work and Woe (Aarias)

[Vallora Salvari]

Work and Woe
32nd of Spring, 513 A.V.

It was early in the morning when Vallora arrived at the borders of Endrykas. The sun was barely up and the morning air made hair stand on its end. It was necessary though - for tracking water sources will much harder when the sun was right on top of your head, sening heat over everything. Her eyes mindlessly watched the swaying green of Cyphrus. It had always been a marvelous sight for her. As beautiful as it was, the Grassland was one of the most dangerous places anyone could be in. Various vicious killers roamed the place, waiting for the unawares. Vallora had learned the hard way that no one should travel solo there.

Which was why she was waiting for her journey partner. Since she knew very little of the people in Endrykas and had no one to ask, the leaders had decided to pair her up with some random hunter or warrior that was on duty in order for her to do her job. If she had to be honest, she was quite uncomfortable with the setting, but she got to do it. She needed the money. The trips mostly contained no conversations and minimal interactions. Awkward much? Of course there were a few who were actually being nice to her, but it wasn't much.

Talvael suddenly nudged her impatiently. Vallora could tell that her Strider could not wait to run across plains. "Just wait a bit longer, Tal. You know you'll get your chance." The dark-maned Strider snorted a reply, making his owner smile a bit. She patted the horse that had been her companion for years and returned pacing some distance away.

Anyone who looked upon the figure of the Drykas girl probably would not recognize who she was but a member of the Sapphire Clan. The hood of her cloak was pulled up, covering a part of her face. Underneath, she wore simple clothing that consisted of a sleeveless white shirt and a pair of brown trousers accompanied with a pair of riding boots. Her necklace hung down from her neck, reflecting the morning shine.

After some waiting, Vallora could see a figure heading towards her. She could not yet identify who it was but the figure was most definitely familiar. Probably one the ones who had worked with her some time ago.

[Aarias]

Every single day, it's the same routine. Out of the warm sheets in the chilly spring morning and out into the warming world. From there he runs until his own body starts to retaliate against him; his legs burning, muscles tight and cramping as well as a dry mouth. Only when he arrives at the northern most tent of Endrykas does he starts the rigorous routine under the watchful eye of Master Nightstone. But today, he wakes up to see a septa colored card dangling before his eyes.

"You're on the clock. Wasting daylight. Find the location given and don't disappoint me again. - Nightstone"

Aarias' eyes finally focus on those black inked words on the perfectly creased paper. No blotches, smudges nor any sign of a fingerprint. Aarias, on the other hand, never realizes the viscous ink until it's too late. Nightstone is a perfectionist. His blocks are perfect and his strikes are deadly. This warrior has not been so lucky. Daydreaming, a new habit of the season. Ever since he woke up, sore and bloody fisted on the morning of the seventh, Aarias has been stuck in a daydream. It's abstract and full of colors. He knows knot work and wild curves, not rectangles that are dark and dull. One out of this bunch, though, catches his eye. A face flashes before his lids but it blinks too rapidly. It's as good as seeing nothing at all.

Those black letters of his Masters' hand have ironed themselves into his mind. How could he have let himself live in this fairytale land? It's stupid of him and he knows it. No matter, with the spring season has come bright colored bodies. As a result, Aarias imagines an array of colors, clan colors, dancing around one another. There is, however, one sheet that stands out for there are two colors upon the freely flowing fabric. Sapphire as well as white. Spinning faster and faster, these sheets finally become a figure of a lady. Just an outline. Worthless information yet the more Aarias allows his mind to wonder, the closer he gets to seeing a face, an arm or a leg. Awakening with night sweats, Aarias' heart pounds in his head, his once sharp vision blurry and distorted. It's minutes before he calms down and hours before he settles back to sleep.

And thus, the sleep deprived warrior now rides towards the crest of a hill. She is waiting and displeased, at least at first, for his tardiness. Bowing his head low to her, the leather clad warrior dips his head low. His shoulder length hair follows, slipping from behind his bronzed shoulders. For now, the sun in his eyes, he can only make out the simple outline of her form.

"Training watchman Aarias Stormshadow, at your service." Looking across the Sea, Aarias' lips curve into a small smile. Last time Nightstone sent him out into the Grasslands, it was covered in the momentum of a harsh blizzard. Aarias still thinks that his master didn't expect him to come home. There is no hint, no memories sparking for Vallora. It seems she has some luck for being unknown is what she wished all those days ago on the night of the festival.

[Vallora Salvari]

Vallora had turned her head to watch the Sea of Grass as she felt her assigned partner approaching her, not really paying attention to him. It was not until he had bowed and introduced himself that she realized that she had met this man before. A warrior of the Diamond Clan. What a surprise. After all that time, he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Vallora shifted uncomfortably, unsure how she should react.

"Training watchman Aarias Stormshadow, at your service." Of course, Aarias. She recalled him from the night of the a celebration early in the season. How could she forget? She was somewhat humiliated that night and no matter how much she had wanted to forget it, she couldn't. That night had started alright, actually. She met Aarias and he was quite friendly. Vallora was having just the slightest bit of fun. But unsurprisingly, it went downhill quickly. Then, the next thing she knew, she left him.

And for them to be assigned together, that's quite the coincidence. Endrykas was no small city and Vallora had nearly forgotten about him, thinking that they would probably never meet again. She was also rarely assigned with warriors. Hunters were more suitable for their trips because what they did for a living. A warrior on the other hand, trained more than they did travel outside the city.

As Aarias straightened, Vallora turned her head sideways, hoping that somehow it worked to conceal her. A turmoil wrecked her insides - mostly shame. After a moment, she realized something. It seemed like he did not remember her - a brilliant thing. He was probably much more drunk than he seemed then. The girl of the Sapphire could not help wondering what had happened to him after she left. Not that she as going to ask. It was good. She got what she wanted didn't she? Even if he did remember, what were the chances that he remembered a random girl - out of countless others - and recognized her right now?

You remembered, didn't you? a part of her whispered. Well, at least, she was not intoxicated when they had stumbled upon each other. Pushing the insignificant thought away, she shouldered her quiver of arrows and strapped her bow onto her yvas.

Vallora decided to take the risk. Better he knew that she was Salvari now, rather later in the middle of the grasslands. Hesitantly, she pulled down the hood of her cloak and looked directly into the warrior's eyes. "Vallora Salvari, Sapphire Clan. You're late."

[Aarias]

Her gray-blue eyes are a wintery storm above an ocean. Perhaps, with the right sails, Aarias can move through those torrential waters for he is always up for a challenge. His chest rises one last time before he holds his breath. A strange sensation overcomes his body, a recollection that he has seen those eyes before. “Was it in my dreams?” Aarias wonders, running his fingers across his cleanly shaven chin. Closing his eyes, he remembers the white and blue sheet dancing in the middle of the other blurs. Noticing that this memory might have been a delusion, the young warrior blames it on his lack of sleep. Last night was, by far, the closest he saw to having those wondering colors form into some sort of unfeigned person. Not wishing to look too haggard, the warrior snaps back and stops staring through her and ingrains her face to memory.

She turns her head to the side, the dark hair falling to cover any expression from his view. Figuring that the huntress is just shy, Aarias opens his mouth. Her words come to his ears instead of his own. “Vallora Salvari, sapphire clan. You’re late.“ Bowing his head before looking towards the sun, Aarias gets his chance to respond after finding the words. “Indeed I am late and I do apologize,” plucking the small card stuffed between his shoulderpad strap crisscrossing across his armored chest. “As you can see, the directions took a while to decipher for Nightstone uses a different pattern each time.”

On the small creased paper, lies an awkward sort of map. To her, it may just look like lines and numbers. To Aarias, it’s a key to the city he lives in. Red, blue, black, and green lines along with precise splotches of certain landmarks litter the paper in only a pattern that Aarias would recognize. Nightstone, day after day, has had his trainee memorize symbol after symbol and their meaning. One could his bread vendor friend’s shop and another could be a shrine Nightstone mentioned in one of his lessons.

“Vallora?” He repeats, blinking a little as if trying to remember some locked secret retained in his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Those blue eyes look away and stare elsewhere for just a moment. Away from her face and the exposed necklace hanging around her neck. His friends told him of that night, him defending the name of some filth. Aarias was never given a name for his buddies didn’t remember much collectively. What they did remember is that Aarias was a fool for picking some woman over them. Apologies were thrown around and faces bruised. Still, she seems familiar.

“Well,” he tries not to remember the rumors fluttering around of her family and their so called taint, “Lady Vallora, where are we heading?” Looking across the plains, Aarias tries to imagine where she would like to go. A hint of a smile on his lips as he looks upon his land for it’s a land fit for kings in his eyes. It has both beauty and horror between long and thick blades of grass. Looking back to Vallora, he concludes that it’s best not to ask any questions about the rumors. It shocks him that she would be so open though. Hearing the rumors, he could assume that any member of that family, the exiled ones, would do everything in their power to have no one find out. She has a strider, she is a true Drykas and therefore she deserves his protection. She will not scare him off with her ruggedness for he is a warrior and has earned his courage from many dangers. She, cannot possibly be a threat.

[Vallora Salvari]

When he spoke of a Nightstone, she guessed it was his tutor of some kind. She knew nothing of the man – or woman – but she wondered why Aarias was sent here at the first place. Hunters are better suited for this kind of trip. Then he showed her the piece of paper filled with lines and figure, which she could not figure out. It seemed quite random to her, but obviously Aarias was able to glean some meaning from it.

Well, after she had stated who she was, Aarias had the grace not to look surprised or show her any signs of dislike. She could see his eyes flicking in recognition of the name. It was as expected. He seemed to be someone who had lived in Endrykas most of his life and it made sense that he knew of her.

“Lady Vallora, where are we heading?”

Truthfully, Vallora had not thought of the place they should go. She never needed to usually. The hunters were much more familiar of the territory than she was and she need only follow them. Then along the way, she would search for some water sources or even hunt with them. Seemed like today was a whole different story.

With ease, Vallora hoisted up her horse. Talvael shifted under her, probably sensing her discomfort. She turned back and watched the warrior who had clearly erased every last trace of her from his mind. “I have no particular destination in mind, so let’s just go and see what we could find.” Her hands tightened on the hold of her yvas and considered something. “Do you have a particular destination in mind?” She certainly hoped he did.

Maybe it was just her, but somehow, she knew this journey would be as smooth as she would’ve thought.

[Aarias]

Aarias quietly admires Vallora as she effortlessly brings herself to his height. Looking over the grasslands, his hands visibly tighten. The waves of grass may look calm and collected but he knows what's on its surface hides the cruel underbelly beneath. Creatures, both great and small, wait for weary travelers to lose their way. Before they know it, the poor man or woman is just another soul to be lost to the web. Another story of a wife, husband, friend, uncle or aunt who never returned from their expedition. Many fail if they're alone.

Luckily, Aarias thinks quietly to himself, Vallora here will have me to protect her. Yet... his eyes glance towards her gear, she -is- prepared for this lifestyle. Am I really sure I haven't met her before?

"M'lady, I have only just rolled out of bed on my Master's orders." looking to the shadows created by each and every blade, he knows that he, along with the grass, are awaiting a day in the heat of the sun. Rubbing his eyes, the warrior tries not to look as tired as his body is in actuality.

"You're on the clock. Wasting daylight. Find the location given and--" Pausing his words there, Aarias reads over the rest silently. With his mouth quivering for a second, his mind debating if he should read the second line or not. The warrior thinks it's better for her not to know about his constant daydreaming. Clearing his throat, he adds quickly, "Good luck - Nightstone." Moving the small notecard out of view, Aarias slips it into his packed bags tied to his own yvas.

The dark bay courser underneath him stamps a hoof and Aarias is quick to ease him. Running his bandaged fingers though Nevzor's mane before turning his attention back to Vallora. Once again, her beauty captivates him and he finds it hard to pull his icy blue eyes away. It's much like the stare he gave when they danced but this one is more contemplative. Still, there is no sign of distain.

"So as you see, I don't really have any idea of what my purpose is here. Being a warrior," his fingers wrap around his Falchion sword sitting snug by his waist, "I normally am seen in the ring, training until I can hardly stand. Today, Nightstone has surprised me with the map I showed you earlier. All I know is that I needed to get to this location and by your manner before of me being late, I am sure you were expecting me." going out on a limb, Aarias sucks in his breath and digs his heels into Nevzor, the giant horse responding gratefully.

Nevzor never likes to stay put for long periods of time. Still being as wild as the day Aarias bonded to him, the dark bay steed almost immediately starts to speed up. Looking behind him, Aarias rounds Vallora. She might take it as a sign of showing off but he simply doesn't wish to lose her.

"It seems you don't have a destination in mind either, lady Vallora." he is not mocking, just stating facts at this point. The smile comes back to his lips, "So shall we do as you ask and just roam? Perhaps pull out some maps by the campfire and see where we wish to head from here. I suggest we find a source of water to refill our canteens or at least travel close to anticipate for the worst. Unless you needed to head to Riverfall for anything. Do you?" as they start to make their path away from Endrykas, Aarias quickly adds after getting Nevzor under control again,

"Our warriors may have a fierce reputation, and believe me, they do, but don't let me intimidate you, Lady Vallora. I am a Drykas just as..." he tries to spot her markings, knowing she has bonded to the strider. The beast underneath her responds well and promptly to her commands, Aarias sees no other explanation. "You are. In order for us to survive, we must trust one another."

Breathing in the fresh air, Aarias closes his eyes and lets the warm morning breeze pass. Zulrav's greeting. "I don't expect us to talk about it right now for we..." he pauses on 'don't know one another' because he, for some odd reason, seriously doubts it, "... barely know one another. All you have out of me is a name, a smile, and a ranking." waving his hand, he continues, paying careful attention to how she reacts, "But I have heard the rumors of what the Salvori pavilion has done. What I want -you- to know, Lady Vallora," his voice is calm and sweet. "is that I won't hold you in the same tier. What is done, is done. Whether those rumors are true or not, it's not for me to know or decide. To me you're just a beautiful girl who needs an escort across this terrain."

Swallowing, he exhales and speaks at the same time, "So I hope that you'll accept me as I accept you. Too many people judge and not enough people sit and listen." nodding, he adds in one last gusto, "And I'll be your guardian. Yours."

[Vallora Salvari]

As the warrior explained how he came to meet her upon his tutor's command, Vallora wondered about the odd warrior. As he talked, she noticed the slight pause - it may be nothing, but his face was another story. She decided not to ask - after all, they did not really know about each other. From the corner of her eyes, she could see him watching her carefully, almost critically, like he was trying to recall that first night when they meet.

When he rounded her, Vallora could not help raising her eyebrow. By the way he was looking back and forth between her and Talvael and how he paused before saying 'Drykas', she guessed he was trying to figure whether she was a full-fledged member of the Drykas. He would not find it though. Her Windmark was hidden under her layers of clothing - on her torso and on her back.

Aarias seemed intent on letting her lead and even though she did not want to, it felt gratifying that some people would trust her enough to do that. "So shall we do as you ask and just roam? Perhaps pull out some maps by the campfire and see where we wish to head from here. I suggest we find a source of water to refill our canteens or at least travel close to anticipate for the worst. Unless you needed to head to Riverfall for anything. Do you?"

There was a moment of pause before she responded to his words. A sudden pain stabbed her chest and she nearly gasped in surprise. It was gone as quick as it had appeared. She swallowed a lump on her throat nervously. It was nothing, nothing to worry about, she convinced herself.

Looking back at Aarias, Vallora shook her head and shifted on her saddle. "No, I don't have any need in Riverfall." His words gave her an idea of the place she would visit - it would be much better than simply roaming around the Sea of Grass with no destination in mind. "Maybe we could go to the Lake Serifal. There we could have some water and I might be able to hunt somewhat."

"But I have heard the rumors of what the Salvori pavilion has done. What I want -you- to know, Lady Vallora, is that I won't hold you in the same tier. What is done, is done. Whether those rumors are true or not, it's not for me to know or decide. To me you're just a beautiful girl who needs an escort across this terrain."

Reflexively, Vallora looked away from the warrior as he talked. She was aware that he did not mean anything from his words, of course, and he was being quite civilized about this, but she still could not stop the shame and anger spark deep inside her heart. "Of course," Vallora replied stiffly without really looking into the man's eyes. "Though I have to say, you're quite peculiar, aren't you? Most people would simply accept the rumors as the truth and question nothing about it. Or maybe you do to, but you are simply trying to be polite?"

Right after she was done talking, the girl patted her Strider, signaling for him to start moving. She did not wait for Aarias to answer. She simply moved forward with her Strider. When she was several paces in front of the warrior, she glanced back. "Well come on then."

[Aarias]

Not seeing any straight indication of a marking, he assumes that she will reveal herself in time. After riding, he would be able to tell an amateur from a true Drykas. Still, if she doesn't have a Windmark, that doesn't mean he will discriminate her or treat her any differently. She is, after all, his responsibility. If Vallora doesn't return home safely, or at all, Aarias assumes his welcome home won't be too warm and lighthearted. He assumes that Nighstone would be happy to skin him alive for letting him down. The Warrior's mind moves back to the small note on the back of the mapcard. ...Don't disappoint me again. Nighstone is not one to joke around. Those words are as hot as a volcano and sure as hell can burn like one.

Focusing elsewhere, Aarias hears Vallora gasp at the stabbing sensation taring its way through her breastbone (or wherever the pain is grave). Raising a brow, his head snaps back to inspect the reasons for such a change in tone. Thus far he has been greeted, well hardly, by a woman who seems uninterested in speaking, let alone conversing and getting to know one another. Still, Aarias won't give up too easily. Just like on the night of the festival, his stubbornness tells him not to just lay down on this one. That special something about her pulls him onward. Peering at her, his head tilted ever so slightly down, his brow raises and falls.

Silently nodding, he accepts her choice of location. "I have never been there, you know. The caravan passes close enough by it when we move to our Summer grounds but I have never had much time to relax and -play- as children do. Every move, I'm helping my uncle and brother. All the time." Opening his mouth to continue with the story, Vallora speaks about his peculiarity. Following her intently, Aarias raises in his saddle, easily catching up to her. The pairs of hooves trample the grass, kicking up sprays of green and brown behind them as they both speed up.

Easily moving with Nevzor, Aarias glances from Vallora to the path in front of them. Many travelers don't watch where they're going, they think the grass will just remain hilly and have no danger. The reality is that these mounds of earth can be quite deadly. You might think you're riding up a nice slope only to find a jagged drop on the other side filled with long strands of grass that come up to your ankles. (when you're mounted of course)

Quietly and to himself, Aarias thinks about her words. They're by far an interesting question to ask and he understands why she would be so surprised by his kindness. Frowning just a little, his gaze flickers back to her. He can't imaging the constant shunning she must receive from Endrykas and the clans. Turning away quickly before he thinks she saw, Aarias finally crafts her an answer when they reach the third or forth hill.

"Being peculiar isn't necessarily a bad trait. Isn't it better to think differently from all the rest of the world? All those Drykas you've met, the ones who treated you well, can see past the aimless chatter of the world. People will talk. Stories will change. Fabrications are woven deep within those very stories. Many people follow the man standing up above the rest, the preacher who has something to say, blindly. My training has taught me otherwise. Accepting rumors blindly without proper evidence is for fools. You might see it as just simply being polite, and that's fine, but I have a feeling that you'll learn to appreciate my -peculiarity-."

Smiling, he isn't angry or hurt at her choice of words. Most men would be taken aback but he is collected. Those icy hues of his pan back to her, the wind whipping at their faces as they travel east towards the first river. He notices her necklace bouncing with the rhythm of the powerful hooves beneath them but is hardly close enough to see what it is.

"You seem like a smart girl," he finishes, "Knowing your way around with a map in your head. I assure you I'm not thinking you petty by being polite. That's the last thing I wish you to think, Lady Vallora. Is it possible just to," his armored shoulders come up and inwards, "be polite for the sake of making a connection with someone? Being impervious to those sour rumors and wishing to see the cloth cut from your perspective?" The way he utters those words, it's almost a challenge. Aarias wishes to see that she will be as judgmental as he is. Many are not and Aarias can't change her but he can certainly see what's underneath that stone exterior.

[Vallora Salvari]

As they rode, Aarias told her of how he mostly spent his time in Endrykas. It was such a shame, really. He lived in the middle of all these wonders, yet there were very little things that he had explored. How could he protect he people when he had not yet get to know the things that might endanger them? Then again, as he had said, he did not exactly had a choice in that matter. "Well, this is your chance to get to know the lake, then," she pointed rather lightly. "Maybe you should travel out more, Aarias. I'm quite sure you won't regret it."

Vallora, on the other hand, had no choice but to explore and she did not regret any of it. She needed to know her way around well, if not, she might ended up lost with no one to look for her but her family. It was out of necessity, rather than hobby - but it's useful nevertheless. And her magic in Webbing also helped. With everything connected to the strings of the grassland, she would be able to notice certain things such as landmarks acting as origins. It helped her remember well. Vallora herself had sunken some of her Web into the ground, making it easy for her to pick I out and follow it to the destination she had in mind.

"You're quite right, there's nothing wrong in being peculiar. I probably would know it better than most people." If one was paying attention, the slight change in Vallora wasn't that hard to spot. Her tone was light and airy, almost joking with a shade of irony. She had loosened up, trusting the man more and more with each chime. It might not be the wisest thing to do, but she truly could not help it.

Since Aarias had never visited the lake, it meant she would have to lead the way. It took her a few moments and a peek into the worlds of Webs, to tell her that they were not too far from the Lake Serifal. Yet, the conversational speed of their riding did cost some extra time. She did not mind though. It was good to have a decent conversation when one's traveling through the deadly wilderness.

"I have the Web to thank for that," she replied though she knew it was not his point.

Vallora considered the warrior's question for a moment, taken aback by his words. Again, she found him quite peculiar, if not strange. Perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised, after all, he had been quite decent to her, even when drunk. "Perhaps, that depends on how badly you want to know." She was not sure what she was thinking. She did not usually let people poke her around for the stories. But something told her that Aarias really did want to know, to somehow understand and for her, it meant quite a lot. Vallora did not show it in her face, though. She simply looked at him with a cryptic smile.

"Aarias," she said with a note of amusement, "could you please stop calling me Lady Vallora? As proper as it was, I rather you call me simply by my name."

[Aarias]

A childish smile comes across Aarias' face, beaming as bright as the sun. As his mind fills with wonders about how clear or mucky this lake might be, his chest tightens. Like a good warrior, his mind reverts to what he knows best. Concerned about their safety, the think about jumping into the cold water, hearing the splash curl up against the shore. It would be a great experience, yes, but at the same time... he wouldn't have protection. The warrior, as well as Vallora, would be exposed. Completely vulnerable to the elements and creatures that roam the fields. With another small gust of wind, Aarias' smile has faded.

"If it were up to me," his icy eyes looking up at the cerulean sky, "I would travel the whole world. There would be no cavern, forest, desert or mountain that I would not have explored." Closing his eyes for only a second, the warrior paints a picture on his eyelids of what he might see. A windy moonlit desert, the wind shifting the sand and making it seem alive. Or perhaps he sees the dense coniferous forests with colors as deep as pools of emerald. No matter what his mind flashes to, he starts to smile again. For a moment, forgetting his purpose by Vallora's side. His duty to both her and his master. The liability of a warrior.

Coming out of his little daydream, he just catches Vallora answering him about peculiarity. Once cannot quite tell if he is marking her uncanny change in mood. One moment she is barking at him to move along and the next she is smiling every so slightly when she approaches a joke. In return, the warrior laughs. Not out of cruelty or spite but enjoyment. He too, by his smile and relaxed shoulders, seems to be enjoying her company. The more they move across the fields, Aarias finds himself dodging less rocks, pulling his yvas to the left or to the right. Nevzor, luckily for him, is growing up with Aarias and therefore heeding his commands well. The beast still talks though, heaving great breaths of air or shaking his head, causing his short mane to vibrate.

"I am glad to be traveling with a webber. How long have you been... I believe you're attached to the web, aren't you?" grinning a bit, the poor man doesn't exactly know -how- webbing works. All he can conjure from his memory is that it helps the Drykas travel across this vast plain of dancing grasses.Personally, the thought is quite amazing to Aarias but he keeps such astonishment in his eyes. Taz never learned webbing and neither has his brother. Therefore, Aarias only knows what he has heard from around Endrykas. An idea comes into his mind and he is comforted by the fact that perhaps meeting this girl isn't such a bad idea. Aarias has traveled through the Sea of Grass, knowing at least the geography of where he is so why would this experience be any different? Perhaps they can both learn from one another - something Aarias has been craving since he started his training.

To learn about this world means that he will then understand it and be able to navigate through his life with broader sails in harsher weather. Being respectful, he bows his head low at her proposal of perhaps knowing more about the scandal if he truly wishes to know. "I would like to wait, Vallora." smiles. "And see, when that time comes, if I truly wish to know and if you're willing to speak." pausing, he adds with a comforting hand to the air, "But don't feel pressured. Its never a good story if the teller of such a tale spites his or her audience."

"You know," he starts on a different topic, figuring she wouldn't like to speak about her family or her past. Swarms of bad memories, for he cannot imagine a life outside (exiled) from Endrykas, must surround her. In time she will open up but as for now, he is a stranger. Even Aarias thinks that if he were in her position, he too would be collected. Yet, he smiles. Finding it odd that she is cracking, he keeps speaking, knowing that the more she knows about him, she will reside comfortably by his side. "My uncle Taz had a girl he admired when he was younger. She too was a webber. What she told my uncle is that there is a special power when connected. Not anything that will give you strength or agility but purpose. It's that everlasting flame of hers for adventure that drove her to the very edges of Cyphrus so that she could feel and create her own web across this land." chuckling lightly at the memory, "At least I think that's what she wished to do." his face twists a bit, trying to remember exactly.

Aarias then smiles as if in a daydream. He can remember her dark brown hair always knotted and mystifying. Aarias, as a kid, would try and figure out her secret for such intricate patterns. But, alas, whenever he thought he found the answer, her hair would twist and turn in such a way, even his uncle would be scratching his chin. He believes that she is the one who taught him compassion and patience when all his uncle would never teach him is brute strength and integrity. She was, no matter how infrequent her visits, the closest thing Aarias had to a mother.