Closed [The Stained Glass Gallery] Back to Square One (Ainyi)

[Kovac]

Timestamp: 76th of Winter, 513 AV

The dirge-like chords echoed off of the high walls and vaulted ceiling of the large, empty hall. Night had stolen the light that made the colorful glass windows and ceiling pop with vibrancy, and now only the glow of a lonely lantern offered illumination, barely enough to see past the closest columns. Kovac sat on the cold floor, katinu wrapped around him, leaning against one of the columns. It was empty, being several days before set up of the next market day.

The lute languished in his lap, fingers plucking at the strings only occasionally, melancholic tones in short riffs, as if the musician producing the sounds had little heart to make the instrument sing. Of more attention seemd to be the bottle of wine next to the half-bred Avora. It had been a signature of sorts, Kovac and his wine, but considerably less so until recently. Once upon a time, he drank much, played often, drowning out the pain of betrayed love. He had been bitter and cynical, a sardonic ass bent on selfish indulgence. But over the past few years, friends, and lovers, had helped him along. Time spent away at Thunder Bay after the Great Storm had given him time to think. Then came Lavira. Lavira had delivered him, it seemed, from himself, as he had helped deliver her from the demons of her tragic accident.

But now she was gone, ten days now. So many gone. Shayth, Aidara, Sairque, Chemar and now Lavira. Taken by this cursed land. Yes, he still had friends. Alori, perhaps his closest now, and Sira, the bold Kelvic. Euthisa was still about, but life rarely brought their paths together, and Kovac had hurt her deeply when he chose Lavira. So, more than three years after Kalle had betrayed him, Kovac was once again sinking into darkness.

Gripping the bottle by the neck, Kovac tilted the opening to his mouth, letting another stringent swallow drain down his throat. He scowled into the dark shadows of the great hall. Cursing under his breath. Anger helped to stave off the desperate sorrow.

LedgerFine wine - 10 pinions

[Ainyi]

Fear chilled the back of Ainyi's neck more than the cold nowadays. She told herself it was the cold, shrugging into her think red hair and katinu, as though it would protect her from eyes at her back. She abhorred leaving her shift so late. The warrens were simply not safe for her at night. Since the Despised was executed, all those who followed him were suddenly unleashed, as though the chain on the necks of rabid hawks simply broke. She usually cut through the Stained Glass Gallery, and took the long way home to the Communal homes. It was safer than the direct route she'd taken all the time.

An unusal light flickered throughout the gallery, brightening the otherwise dark walk home. She stopped a moment, glancing around the corner. A figure sat slumped against the ground with a bottle of wine. Part of her wanted badly to reach for her bow and arrows, to approach with one nocked. Yet, this one did not seem threatening. She saw in the room that he was alone, and there was something too...sorrowful about this man. He wasn't suspicious of her entry. She couldn't tell if he even cared enough to notice.

Cautiously, she approached with her arms behind her, treading on the balls of her feet, legs taut to run at the first sign of danger. She pulled down the hood of her katinu as she walked into the light, Her hair spilled down to her waist, large green orbs simultaneously reserved and open, compassionate. The figure had darker features than the average Inartan; black hair, tan skin. He had enough to afford a decent bottle of wine, though what his spirit could afford, she knew not. The Chiet put out one hand out to show she was amiable, struggling to find words.

"I'm sorry, I don't -," she began, before stopping. Comfort was never her strong suit. "Are you alright? It's not safe to be out this late. Since the execution those bells ago, there have been a lot of night attacks." She approached slowly, until there was a foot between them. "Are you - can I help?"

She wasn't sure what made her ask that. It was probably foolish questions like that that killed her father.

We are Inarta, she reminded herself. We sacrifice to help one another. Perhaps half of us have forgotten that in the Famine...but I should not.

[Kovac]

Kovac heard the soft footsteps approach, glaring out over the bottle as he drank freely. Then, a woman appeared from the shadows. He could not see her face, the hood of her katinu concealing her features. Her hands remained behind her back, perhaps to show humility as she approached, or to hide a knife. The bottle was lowered again to rest on the floor, the Avora's eyes fixed on the stranger. What reason would she have to disturb him? Had she news of Lavira? The figure's demeanor was hesitant, as if it could bear bad news. Kovac was about to bark at her to explain herself when the woman's arms lifted to the cowl of the coat and pulled back the hood. A cascade of rich, red hair tumbled down around the girl, flowing in long locks and adorned braids all the way down to her waist. Kovac peered into the hazel gaze framed by the marvelous crimson mane. Her eyes were large and expressive, void of malice or selfishness. The softness of the woman's gaze took Kovac back a moment, not expecting such a demure countenance. She spoke in a kind tone, also unanticipated. It took Kovac another moment to recover.

"Me? I wouldn't worry about me. You, on the other hand, should not be out alone." He added dismissively, looking down to the lute and plucking a chord. "And if you can help I suppose depends on you." He paused, looking up again at the attractive woman with a bit of recognition in his gaze before looking down again to the lute and plucking a few notes. "Your father was the bowyer that died last season, wasn't he? My father was a bowyer too. He is also dead. So many lost. They alway seem to go too soon." Kovac uttered, almost to himself. His eyes lifted again. "Sit, and tell me your name."

[Ainyi]

spoiler :

By the way, I edited out the sentence stating that her father's killer was for sure the Despised, because that is still in debate. Not a big detail, but one you should prolly be aware of. Thanks!

"Me? I wouldn't worry about me. You, on the other hand, should not be out alone."

Ainyi rolled her eyes at the man, sighing heavily at his concern for her. Perhaps she shouldn't have stopped. "I hardly think you have to worry about me, stranger," She corrected softly. The chiet brandished Yasa from under her Katinu, the quiver of flight arrows at her hip also coming into view. "You're the one at risk, drinking with no protection but a lute."

She rolled her eyes and began to walk on, regretting her sympathy, before Kovac recognized her. She turned sharply, looking at him carefully. Most who knew never brought it up - though, nowadays, most who knew also didn't drink. And this man was hardly sober.

Still, his words stuck a chord with her. There was a somberness to it that felt all too familiar to her own heartache. While her developing feelings for Edric kept it at bay, there was a special void that grief created in one's soul that no amount of affection could fill.

Hesitantly, Ainyi sat down beside the stranger, taking out her water skin. She kept her bow and quiver easily accessible at her side. "I'm Ainyi," she said plainly, taking a sip of water. "Who are you?"

[Kovac]

Kovac noted the bow she now brought into the light. There was not enough wine in his blood to dull the twinkle that caught his eye. He remembered now, seeing this girl use it, from afar. He had never seen it close up. The bow was marvelous, a finely crafted pieced with a glass grip. Only a few like that existed, that he had heard of. The skills required to encase the wooden handle in glass took both that of a glassworker and a bowyer, with a great deal of finesse. She seemed confident enough in her talent to defend herself with it. Seeing her shoot the fine weapon would be something worth seeing. As long as it wasn't at him.

Something made the young woman change her mind, and she turned to join him on the floor. if anyone had asked, Kovac would have said he didn't care one way or another. Honestly, he welcomed the company. Once seated next to him, Ainyi would be able to see the handle of the long knife jutting from his belt, under his open katinu. No, Kovac was not a fool, he was armed. "Ainyi." Kovac repeated. He looked at the girl, as if assessing whether the name fit her. She was certainly attractive, with features that were more unique than many typical Inartans. With a nod he agreed that her name did indeed fit her. "I am Kovac. Pleasure to meet you." He reached for his wine bottle, ready to offer it to Ainyi. She had already produced a water skin, but he proffered up the bottle anyway.

"What brings you through this darkened hall anyway, Ainyi?"

[Ainyi]

Ainyi watched the man's expression as he turned over her name. Her eyes were fixed on him in fascination. He recognized her, on sight, as her father's daughter. Had rumors spread of her among the higher castes? It didn't surprise her, as she's hardly been discreet in her investigations. But even then, to know her based on her face alone - unless...

"I am Kovac. Pleasure to meet you."

The Chiet nodded, eyes wandered to a dark corner of the room. "Kovac," She repeated back, though not in an appraising manner. She furrowed her brow, and after thoroughly recalling all she could, had no memory of the name.

Before she had time to mull the name over further, a strong stench of wine was put under her nose. She reeled her head back, and pushed the bottle away. "I should not have this right now," Ainyi insisted. "I am taking the long way home. Since the execution of the Despised, I don't feel safe walking home alone through the Warrens at night." The Chiet clenched her left hand, only freshly healed from the gash she received too many nights ago. The chill of the dagger against her neck, the leather-coated arm threateningly tight around her thinning waist-

Ainyi cleared her throat, hoping it would clear her mind as well. "This is a safer route home. This hall may be dark, but The Warrens are darker."

Taking another swill from her waterskin, before capping it and putting it away. She re-examined Kovac, as though it would give her more information.

"You...you knew who I was, on sight alone," She found herself blurting, emerald eyes searching to meet his own dark orbs. "Why are you here? Did you know my father, Braghna?" There was a strained grief hidden in her tone, but also a weary grief. One that had grieved for too often, too long.

[Kovac]

Kovac withdrew the wine, shrugging when the girl recoiled at the offer. To each their own. He did, however, take another swig. Ainyi explained the reason for circumnavigating the warrens. Safety. On top of everything else, the state of Wind Reach saddened him greatly. "I have never seen Wind Reach like this. No one knows what to do. The fiasco with the Despised. Petch, Zulrav himself shows himself to us, the famine, people starving in our own home, and disappearing. To fear for one's life in our own corridors, I never thought I would see the day." The Avora bemoaned their circumstances.

When the Chiet asked her barrage of inquiries, the solemn tone tinging her words, Kovac gave her a glance. "You are full of questions. Yes, I recognize you. I am not just a drunk, you know. I am keenly aware of things going on around me, especially at the ranges. You are decent a shot. Rumors run rampant, and it was not difficult to put a name to the girl who lost her father. He was one who stood out. I didn't know him personally, but his criticism of the caste system, and his sudden elevation from gardener to Avora bowyer drew some attention. By the look of that bow, he earned his caste." His gaze met Ainya's again. "I am sorry for your loss." He added sincerely.

His gaze turned again out to the darkened hall. He sighed heavily. He would not have normally been so open with a stranger. But Ainyi had suffered a loss, and he felt a bit of kinship to her. "As for why I am here. I am mourning too, or I think I am. My lover went missing about three ten-day ago, her and her eagle. They say she went down on a flight, but they could not find her, or the eagle."

[Ainyi]

T

Ainyi's gaze softened when Kovac's dark eyes met hers in an honest moment of condolence. This was sympathy she normally took time to ask for, only at her most broken states, in front of those that mattered to her. Here, a stranger understood her, and offered it easily. Sympathy was one of the hardest things to come by in Wind Reach when their bellies didn't ache and the cold didn't chill them to their bones. Sympathy, despite the hunger and cold, remained the hardest commodity to come across. Yet, without so much as knowing one another for a few chimes, they both felt it in one another.

His story of his lover and her eagle told why. She bowed her head dryly, exchanging a similar gaze to him. "I heard of this - Lavira, correct? I am sorry for your loss as well. Winter has been harsh on us all." She raised her water skin before taking a drink, eyes alert around them.

"I'm not quite sure, what I'm to do myself," Ainyi found herself saying. "Our people have never been good at grieving. Death is something we tend to ignore; however, ignoring it of late has been difficult even for the best of us." She shrugged at her own words, taking a swig of water. "Not that it helps any of us to say that."

Before she had time to think more, a chill crept up her spine. Her backside felt frozen. Her ribs felt hard as rocks, rattling in her own body. She found the more she sat, the more frigid she was becoming. Her face, tinged paler by the chill, felt cooler by the tick. A thought struck her, with a worrisome expression following it: How long has this Kovac been out here? Without asking, she grabbed his hand; it felt like ice. Most likely, the warmth of the alcohol was tricking his body.

Ainyi sat there for a moment, listening to whatever response he may have to her previous words or actions with a half a mind, the other churning over what to do next. She had little room, and her blankets were not greatly thick. But Winter's chill was upon them both, and while she may not have known Kovac longer than a few chimes, there was something utterly sympathetic about him that she couldn't quite place.

Offering a heavy sigh, she stood, and offered her hand. "We can keep talking, but you and I both know we'll freeze out here if we don't get a move. I have a room in the Darniva Commons with a patch of floor right against some heat. You're welcome to stay there the night, if you need to." Her tone wasn't grudging, nor was it overzealous. The offer was calm, but it was necessary. She didn't feel she could morally leave him - in this cold, or in this state of mind.

"

[Kovac]

Ainyi's demeanor seemed to soften after Kovac shared his loss. Her eyes reflected not only sympathy, but empathy, she knew how he felt. Alori shared in his loss of Lavira, but she was he and Lavira's closest friend. Sira too commiserated, after losing Aidara, whom they both loved. But Ainyi, she was a stranger. The expression of compassion and understanding the Avora saw in her countenance greatly moved his hardening heart and dulling sensibility. Yes, Ainyi too expressed a sense of helplessness. She didn't have any answers. But she didn't have to, just knowing the stranger felt him, knew his pain, was a comfort indeed.

Her words rang painfully true. "Why is it harder now? Because there is so much of it?" Kovac actually knew why Lavira's death hit him so hard. He had loved her like no one else, had brought him out of so much. Only to disappear when things were so promising. He knew his question was more rhetoric than anything, and a suitable silence fell between them.

Then Ainyi took his hand. It didn't seem out of place, though they barely knew each other. Maybe it was the fact that all they had in common was the profound emotion of loss, stronger than any cursory social interaction, that made the gesture not only acceptable, but welcomed. Her hand was warm, but as he turned to look at her, the Avora could see her frame shivering. The hearths that kept the gallery warm when used during the winter were cold, the great hall unused. Kovac noted the tip of his nose was nearly numb, and he looked down at the half-empty bottle. Fools comfort, he thought. It would have lulled him into a false warmth until he passed out and froze.

His wandering gaze was drawn again to Ainyi when she heaved a deep sigh. Then came the offer. The Chiet's proposal was void of suggestion, neither was it given with suspicious intent, nor grudgingly extended. To Kovac's ears, it was a simple offer from one person to another out of plain good nature. He had been moved from the Ivory Aerie where he lived with Lavira. With the Endal gone, he had no right as an Avora to live there. He had a room in the Commons as well, probably a bit nicer than the Chiet's with a bigger bed. But Kovac didn't want to go home. He could have invited Ainyi to his room, but that could be taken the wrong way. Not that Kovac didn't find the woman desirable. She possessed unique features that he found attractive and her kindness only made her more appealing. At another time, he would have certainly invited her to his room, for more amorous reasons. But tonight, the sound of staying with someone else, someone that understood what was going on inside him, sounded very welcoming. He would allow things to unfold without expectations.

"You are right, don't know what I was thinking." He offered Ainyi a small smile. "I should probably escort you to your room, like you said, these are dangerous times. Besides, I would like to talk more, I appreciate your company." The state of his emotions compelled the usually sardonic and cynical half-breed to admit a bit of vulnerability, but only to Ainyi.

He stood to his feet, rather adeptly given the buzz of alcohol he felt. Kovac reached for the lantern, but left the wine bottle. It was expensive, but suddenly, he had no taste for it. He extended his hand to help the woman to her feet. "And I admit, I would like a closer look at that bow." He added, his smile taking a wry curl.

[Ainyi]

Ainyi smiled lightly at his comments as they both found their feet in their own ways. Thoughts crept in the back of her mind of Edric, hypothesizing his reaction if he knew she was inviting another back to her quarters for the night. They were developing something deep, something close; something neither understood, but yet knew was special between them. She bit her lip and mulled this thought as he pulled himself together.

No. This was the right thing. She had no intentions of courting the man, merely giving him a warm place to sleep. If she hadn't at the very least offered - if she just kept walking - he would have drunken himself into a false sense of warmth and could have died. She would keep a polite distance to him, and keep Edric none the wiser if possible. This wasn't a tryst. This was showing a stranger kindness when Winter gave them none.

"It's not too far," Ainyi commented as they began the walk. "I'm on the first level of the commons, far end of the first right column. Let's just try to keep quiet - many will be sleeping." As they set off, she led them down the most well lit of the paths in front of them, keeping an eye on how steadily he was walking. He seemed as though he had a decent tolerance, but if he was going to stumble, she would notice.

"This is Yasa," She said softly, holding the bow out so it was fully visible in the light. The cherry of the wood shone warmly. The simple carvings on the inside of the panel of feathers and eagles had a whimsy to them. The blue and silver glass handle gleamed in the low light. "I think you'll understand if I don't give it over to you entirely. A few have tried to steal it from me, and I'd rather not deal with that now."