Soothing the Soul (Open)

[Nero Czan]

Nero raised an eyebrow as Ora seemed to zone out for a second. He often phased out to another realm for a few moments, usually in the midst of heavy thinking, but after a couple seconds, Nero had his hand firmly on her shoulder, his voice a sincere, but heavy-bearing tone. "Ora? You alright there?" He looked intently into her eyes, bearing such a unique color, until she regained.. consciousness? He had no idea what that was, but the Konti were not your ordinary people, and such little mysteries were inevitable. Nero simply accepted it as such and smiled at her, a bit perplexed by her somber expression, "Relax, it's all over now, There's nothing to fear anymore." He gently ran a hand through her silky white hair before leaning back into his seat. It was not often that Others were disturbed by his story-telling. He was subtly glad he did not pick that as a career choice. Nevertheless, he kept a steady eye on this petite woman, for nightmares were not easily shaken, as he knew quite well. His gaze turned to his other companion for a moment, "What about you my friend? What is there to your history? Not too many Drykas around that grew up without getting marked." His curiosity was casual, but it went deeper than that. There was something in this man that attracted the mind, and he was determined to find out what his secret was, if there was one.

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora was startled by the hand on her shoulder, her vision still slightly blurred as she left Nero's Chavi. His voice echoed in her ears for a moment. "Yes, I am fine, just a little dizzy. I think I might need some fresh air, it is rare to be inside for so long."

Ora felt his fingers go through her hair, her hands became fists as she forced his Chavi from sucking her in. It was odd, she wasn't used to, and was not comfortable with, such intimate contact. "There was nothing to fear to begin with," Ora said to the table as she quickly, and oddly ungracefully stood up. "I will be back in a short while." She said quickly with a small smile, taking her cloak as she walked through the doorway.

The young woman threw the cloak over her shoulders quickly once she was outside of the tavern. She was unable to move far from the tavern when the side effects started to hit her, the dizziness led to her stomach spinning which led to her dinner making an unappealing appearance in a bush. The woman groaned slightly, her stomach achy.

Ora knew the dangers of her sight, sense leaving the isle it seemed she had been becoming frequently overwhelmed with images of others pasts. She had no intent to pry in strangers personal business, but the Chavi was a curious thing that Ora had trouble controlling. Her small hands fiddled with the cord wrapped around her waist, it was there to help her control it. Ora thanked the cord for helping her, without it she would be constantly struggling through a sea of Chavi's.

The small white figure began to walk down the street, she would take a stroll, let the men talk for a moment or two before she would return, and hopefully she wouldn't seem like she was just ill. Small but swift footsteps carried her for a while, her eyes wandering the buildings. She only walked twenty-five paces before she turned around again walked back to the tavern.

[Nero Czan]

When she returned Nero was waiting outside the door, leaning against the wooden frame. He had his small pack slung over his shoulder, carrying the few Outdoorsy essentials that he required. He smiled towards Ora as she returned, hoping that whatever that was, was finally over. "Feeling better then? The fresh air can do wonders for the mind." This was a truth he had learned quickly, and one of the prime reasons for his love for the outdoors. He himself could not stay inside too long, unless completely necessary, lest he let his body get dull for breathing dull air. His mind streaming through possible ideas, he popped off from the wooden support, and with the same warm smile, began. "Well, at least in my case. Anyways, Rys apologized, and said he had some urgent business to go to. He said it had something to do with a recital." He shrugged, endlessly confused why a musician would have such a massive muscular build. To each their own... "And I'm thinking if you're not feeling too well, perhaps you'd like to accompany me out into the fields. There's a nice, quiet lake I go to whenever I need to unwind. How about it?" This woman was still a bundle of mysteries, and her attitude was another story entirely. She has such soft hair though... He chuckled at his thought, extending his hand, if a bit sarcastically, into the traditional Knightly way, on a half-kneel.

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora was taken by surprise to see Nero waiting outside of the tavern door. "Oh, yes, mostly. Thank you for your concern, I did not mean to startle you with it." She smiled at him, her eyes noticing his bag, he was packed up, which meant he was off somewhere. "Yes, it is odd to be somewhere where I do not feel the sun or smell the earth regularly."

Ora frowned at the news of Ryshaltze, she had hoped to thank him again before he left. Her frowned faded as her attention returned to Nero's voice. She smiled, a silent excitement filling her. She hadn't been able to enjoy water as much as she used to in quite a long time. "I would love that," Ora said with a smile as she bowed slightly. Ora was still hesitant to touch the man, so she quickly changed the subject. "My bag is still inside with some of my things, I will be back out in just a moment."

Ora slipped past him quickly, entering the tavern. It was true, Rhyshaltze was gone, but her bag was still sitting on the chair next to where she had been. Her fingerd picked up her leather gloves, which she quickly put on as her eyes scanned what remained of the tavern. A few people were sitting and drinking, but it was fairly quiet at the time. Small gloved hands picked up her bag, the figure turned and exited the bar the same way she came in.

Ora's hand motioned forward. "Lead the way, good sir." She said, smiling at him.

[Nero Czan]

Nero smiled as her face lit up. Her excitement was slightly contagious, and her innocent smile was euphoric in it's own right. He had planned to go out to the lake for Study later on, but he felt that this was a more, exciting, use of his time. Company always made one's life more vibrant anyways, and vibrant company only compounded the effect. Nero couldn't help but chuckle as she darted inside to 'fetch her things.' He had forgotten how different an all female culture must be. In retrospect, he was surprised that she didn't hit him for brushing throw her hair. He made a mental note to apologize for that later. Then again, her coy attitude was adorable to Nero, and the god's have mercy if he didn't enjoy it. Regardless, he was a gentleman, or so he advertised, and he would do his best to avoid any discomfort for his lady companion. His smiled grew ever so slightly as she returned, and, mentally chuckling at the word choice, started the stroll towards the unknown, unforgiving wilderness. After passing through the massive stone gates that divided society and wilderness, they had gone a relatively decent distance, about half an hour's walk, on the main road, before branching off into the brush. Nero, despite the downtrodden path before him, made sure he cleared his way, as to avoid any popping branches from striking his friend. It would take an hour to arrive at the lake, and during that time, Nero begun on his usual routine of Tour Guide. He would point out various flowers and plants, only picking ones with unusual characteristics, or unique qualities. He would explain the habits and benefits of certain birds, insects, lizards, and a myriad of other creatures and critters. With a sort of nonchalance his voice permeated the dense forest, all while examining it's secrets. Nero enjoyed Nature, to a level that few other things matched. It was a giver of life, and a harbinger of death. Endless seeking of balance and cycles of birth provided the components of the entire world. It was something he had found himself thinking about for hours on end, as he lay basking in the sun, surrounded by his interest. Playing tour guide however was always a fun treat. When they arrived, Nero was speaking about a unique, tiny lizard that plastered it's body against it's prey, and then secreted a poison through it's belly. He ended it at that as his characteristic smirk ran across his face. The sight of this beautiful lake was always surprising, no matter how many times he had gazed upon it. The borders of it's waters were dense jungle, buffered by a few feet's distance of short, soft grass, providing a crystalline sheen of the sun's reflection over the lake. It was a well-hidden gem he had stumbled upon during a day of "Adventure" (I.E. Being Lost), and had since came semi-regularly. After about half a year or so, most of the big animals stopped visiting as well, so it became an icon of serenity. Now, he extended his arm to allow a butterfly to land, as he walked forward. He had decided this was not a time to be reserved, and, with a bit of reluctance, gently took Ora's hand in his own as he pulled her under the shade of a huge oak, who had managed to survive at the very edge of the water. He gazed across the beautiful landscape, ending with this petite, and sometimes overly polite, woman. All he could do was simply... Smile.

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora was enjoying a slow, methodical walk, the earth beneath her was a very welcome change to the feel of cobblestones. Her eyes wandered the landscape, taking in the plants and various other things Nero pointed out. Ora allowed her fingers to touch a few of the safe plants, their leafs slipping through her fingers.

Once Nero stopped teaching Ora of a lizard, she realized they had arrived and the young Konti was taken aback by the beauty of the place. Her eyes slowly scanned the lake and its surroundings. The grasses whispered to the winds and the trees did as well. Ora found herself closing her eyes and listening to their conversation for but a moment before looking back towards Nero.

It was an odd sight to her, such a scared, strong man happily welcoming a delicate butterfly to rest on his arm. The clash of such bright colors on the creatures wings with Nero's hardened skin seemed odd to Ora. Without warning, Ora found her hand in Nero's, her body being pulled and guided away from where she stood.

A frown crossed Ora's face, human contact was a very odd, and usually uncomfortable thing for the young Konti. While her leather gloves helped her avoid direct contact, she still felt out of her comfort zone. Once she was under the, beautiful grandfather of a tree, she took her hand back, holding the end of the cord wrapped around her waist.

The young woman's eyes remained on the lake, her gaze focused on the small ripples and movements of the water. She wanted so badly to jump in and swim to the bottom, to stay at its depths and breath deeply. A small sigh exited the woman as she removed her cloak, setting it on the ground with her burlap bag. "It's beautiful," She said to Nero, her eyes still focused on the lake. "Is it possible to swim in?" She asked, her eyes glancing at him for a moment before returning to the lake.

[Nero Czan]

Nero chuckled, for a moment forgetting his unique companion's abilities. It was still odd to think of the small slits on her neck a completely normal occurrence, but he tended to be open to many things, and he had accepted far stranger than this. He extended his arm towards the water, making a small bow as he motioned towards it. "Be my guest. I'm sure you're somewhat more comfortable in there anyways." His mind wandered for a brief moment to a scene of the Konti capitol, a land of ivory-skinned women, clad in white, and nonchalantly taking dips, to the bottom of lakes. It was a scene that Nero would classify as Fantasy, yet he had seen for himself the extremities of Nature's will, from the mutli-limbed Eypharians, to the vicious Zith. He chuckled to himself as he returned to the situation at hand. Now that he thought about it, as Ora was preparing for her swim, there probably wouldn't have been much he could do to stop her. Her gaze had rarely left the water's surface since they had arrived, and the look in her eye was as intense as any warrior's. Then again, Looks were Deceiving. He himself was a bit of an example, as none would be the wiser of his love of Nature, if it were not in his heritage to revere it. He had long since learned to take things at face value, only after carefully examining the contents, otherwise, he'd either never get anything done, or get everything done Wrong. The glancing thought occurred to him as to perhaps jump in with her, but he had more than pushed her boundaries as is. He would allow her this sanctuary, and add an asterisk to his mental apology note. He pulled out a small chunk of bread from his rations, and with it, sat down against the thick bark of the large trunk, occasionally taking bites as he relaxed in his home turf. The sounds of insects and the chirping of birds were the talk of neighbors, the wind and sweeping leaves the background to life. Serenity was the best way to describe the scene, and perhaps the Only way.

[Ora Sa'vina]

A large smile crossed Ora's face as he motioned towards the water. In one swift movement she kicked off her boots next to her cloak then removed her gloves and seemingly skipped to the waters edge. Excitement boiled up inside her, even though she wouldn't be in her favored saltwater, freshwater would do just as well, she would take just about anything.

The small figure gazed down at her own reflection for a moment before she let her toes break the waters surface. Ora fully stepped in slowly, up to her knees, her dress hovering just above the waters edge. With wandering eyes present, it would be best to keep clothes on, even if that means walking home wet... She thought to herself for a moment. Back on the isle it was odd to swim with clothing on, but in this instance, it would probably be best to leave the clothes where they were. She had an extra dress in her pack anyways.

Slowly, the woman pressed forward into the water, her fingers skating across the surface. She enjoyed the feel, her toes wiggling in the murky sand-mud mixture. As she continued to move her head was slowly consumed by the water.

Once she was fully submerged, Ora inhaled deeply, exhaling a few bubbles which she watched rise to the surface. She looked around the lake, it was clear water, even down ten feet where she stood. Her eyes noticed a few roots from the oak she was just under poking into the lake some gleaming fish passing through the roots caught her eye, it seemed that they had made a home out of the jail like roots.

Ora let herself sink to the floor in a sitting position, her arms wrapped around her knees, her chin resting on top of them. She closed her eyes, listening and breathing calmly. She could stay there for the rest of the day, the water was comfortable and relaxing, it was as close to home as she had been since she left.

After sitting silently for no more than ten minutes Ora stood again, her eyes remaining closed. Do you remember it? She asked herself, her mind running through the moves of a Konti dance. Let us try... Ora began to move slowly and fluidly through the water, her movements were methodical and precise. She moved with great grace and the joy that she felt was easily seen as she moved happily to her own beat.

Ora continued to dance on the lake floor until she had finished the entire piece. Even if that wasn't precise, it was very close... She frowned slightly, fearing that she was already forgetting. A sigh escaped her and she began to swim up to the surface, her eyes watching the way the light bounced around her.

She surfaced almost suddenly, breaking the calm water with a moderate splash. Once she broke the surface her hands wiped the water from her face, and pushed wet clinging strands of hair out of her eyes. As the young woman exhaled, it sounded almost like a sigh. The transition from air to water and visa-versa was an easy one, it was natural even though the feel was entirely different and your perception of the world changed significantly from one to the other.

Ora looked over towards her travel companion and smiled, silently thanking him for bringing her there. She remained in the water, though close to the shore, happily floating. Her eyes watched the large branches which hung over the lake from the oak, she imagined it would be stunning come fall. "This must be beautiful during season change." She said to Nero, her eyes watching the branches sway slightly in the breeze.

[Nero Czan]

Nero often ended up daydreaming whenever he visited such paradises, the line between reality and fantasy blurred increasingly. His visions were of vibrant landscapes, with the sounds of every being in Nature ringing in harmony. It was a scene of immeasurable beauty, and every time he visited it, it got more elaborate, and more elegant. And each time, there were more women. Naturally, being the man he is, Nero wouldn't classify it as a paradise without bountiful women, and they were something he enjoyed elaborating on with each moment. However, there were also the women, and men he had met, out in a distant field, whose faces he could barely make out. His mind knew them without recognition, and they would smile and chuckle at his antics, and it was Paradise. Nero, although at a slight contradiction to his nature, had always been a bit reluctant to form deep relationships. In a way, his fun as a womanizer could be explained as simply avoiding a fear. It was a topic Nero himself had discussed in this same spot, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the coincidence. As Ora resurfaced, her brilliant smile once again made clear, Nero straightened his back against the bark, and rubbed his eyes clear. He noticed that she truly was at home in the water. Her hair shimmered like pure light, a sun's ray trapped on a mortal body. The Konti were really something... daughters of a Goddess. Impressive. As she spoke, he had to mentally shake himself to attention, and still barely caught the question. "That it is. The leaves turn between golden yellow and a vibrant orange, and the wind casually blows it onto the lake. The water becomes covered with all these colorful leaves, and when the sun hits them, they light up. It's one thing I strive to see every year, in a couple different spots." He remembered the last time he had saw it, Right before the advent of his last 'adventure.' He had arrived at sunset, and the angle of the light had lit up all the leaves, skimming the water with the sun's rays. It was a fantastic day. After that, things got a bit dicey for a while, but he was sure that Nature would not change overnight. "I see you're having a blast though. I'm glad there's someone else to enjoy this place, though. It gets a bit dull this time of year, with all the creatures off hunting all-day." He smiled down at her as he said that. It was indeed nice to see someone else enjoying the sanctuary he had stumbled upon so long ago, and he was glad it was her.

[Ora Sa'vina]

The young woman smiled up at the tree, the water lapping against her, trying to pull her back in. "You come here often," She said it more like a statement than a question. "You seem so at peace here... Not to be rude, but it seems odd." Her eyes continued to trace along the branches of the large tree. "It appears like you belong more in the tavern then at a peaceful lake, but you belong here." Her eyes moved to look at Nero, she smiled at him and continued. "It is a delightful surprise."

After she finished speaking she waved slightly and submerged herself again, exploring down into the depths of the lake, her fingers touching the lake life gently. Laviku, how I miss you. She thought with a sigh, this wasn't his territory, the oceans were his. A private sadness filled Ora, she felt so detached from what she was in that moment, so far from the God and Goddess whom she loved dearly. You will be close to them again, you must be strong. Ora breathed deeply, pushing her own sadness away. She didn't want to be in the water anymore. The thing that had made her so happy a moment ago was now filling her with such a painful sadness.

Slowly the young Konti surfaced and made her way towards shore. Her dress was, of course, soaked and heavy. Ora made her way towards her things, she quietly took out a matching dress of which was dry and took her cloak along with her. "I will be but a moment." Ora walked with her things to the other side of the large Oak tree to change. She removed her wet garment and dried herself off the best she could with her cloak before donning the fresh, dry dress. Ora was quick about this, lest wandering eyes wander her direction.

The young woman emerged from behind the tree, dried and dressed, she laid her wet dress out in the sun to at least partially dry, her cloak was sprawled next to it. Ora sat down, her legs outstretched before her, she leaned back against her own arms that were set behind her for support. "Thank you for bringing me here, Nero." Ora said, her words were tinged with a small sadness, but they were sincere, she was glad to have been to this place.