PM to join Expanding Your World - A Konti And A Cat Meet

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 16th of Winter, 513 AM
Location: Zhongjie Warren - the bazaar

It was time to pick up a few supplies and Kavala was the one that volunteered to do so. She needed time away from the babies, to get out in the fresh air, and to mingle with the people of Riverfall for some good old fashioned fun. But it was so early after their births and she was weak. So the Konti was taking it easy, keeping things on the low down, and walking slowly. She was not the only Konti in the market, there were a few others, and among the sea of shopping Akalak and small percentages of humans, she could feel kelvics and other animals out and about as well.

She skipped the section of the market where animals were slaughtered. Kavala ate meat despite the fact that she could feel the animals and see through their eyes if she tried. Her body demanded the nutrition and she made sure it got what she needed. Just because she could feel a mouse and a cat equally, didn't mean she would begrudge the cat its meal. After all, how many glassbeaks had eaten Drykas over the years. And how many Konti had been lost to the attacks of sharks? The world was what it was, and Kavala felt her place in it acutely.

She'd stopped at the crib maker and purchased the crib for her babies at home. The arrangements had been made for it to be delivered back to The Sanctuary promptly. Then it was time to look and see what was for sale in the section of the market that sold herbs spices and rare seedlings. She'd ever been on the lookout for Lycacious bush seeds or seedlings - A large, flowering bush who's blossoms are said to be so beautiful they cause men to weep at the sight of them. So far she'd been having no luck. She'd also routinely asked the gardeners there if they'd received any vian tree seeds or seedlings... a gorgeous white tree from Mura. Kavala had intentions of planting both at The Sanctuary. But so far she'd had no luck at all.

So she browsed, occasionally bumped elbows with people, and kept to herself quietly and slowly making her way through the market. No one would guess that the healer beneath her warm fur cloak was bone thin, weak from a recent double birth, and determined to get back to her normal life even though she was nursing a broken down heart along with her broken down body. Both would heal with time, but until then, she was putting on the ruse of normalcy until normal was normal again.

She paused at one plant seller, thought she had spotted something interesting, and was told it was a pair deep purple weeping pussy willow with pink blossoms that would get numerous feet high and provide a ton of shade in both seasons. Kavala launched into haggling for the unusual tree, not willing to leave the Zhongjie Warren - the bazaar - without the seedlings.

[Reven Heath]

Reven Heath ☼ Winter, Day 16, 513 A.V.

Oh, what a day!

In the early morning hours Reven found herself stalking down the endless amount of steps, a leather bag on her back bouncing noisily against her frame as she hopped down two at a time. She could slowly feel the onset of sweats and chills and knew it wouldn't be long before she was curled up in bed with a slight fever. Her head ached and because of the coming fever, she was less inclined to notice the amount of attention she was receiving, good or bad. In a way, she kind of enjoyed the break from her anxiety. The stress of populated areas sometimes sent her stomach bubbling with nausea. Mutaldi teased her about this flaw constantly...

But today was different and because of this simple fact, Reven decided to take a trip to the market place to exchange herbs. She knew there had to be something to treat her symptoms and figured offering some sage she had dried out for the season wouldn't be easily turned away. The Kelvic had no clue what to look for but maybe some kind soul would help guide the way. Reven nearly halted in her tracks however, when she stumbled upon the vast sea of bodies occupying the Bazaar area. Her heart quickened and the curve of her lips slowly fell into a flat line.

What a day...

She bowed her head and dived in, moving through the crowd with caution, not wanting to knock into an individual and cause a fuss. Not that she did that on a regular basis. The Kelvic simply was not prepared to defend herself today, if need be. Reven made it to the front of some stalls and glance over their offerings briefly, moving down the line till she came to a vendor that offered different kinds of spices, herbs, and what looked to be seeds of some sort. Reven knew herbs had medicinal properties as well as adding flavor to a warm meal, unfortunately, she was not educated to know what kind of herb helped for her situation. Squeezing her thin frame past the bodies that blocked her way, even getting as close to "touchy-feely" distance with an enormous Akalak man, Reven let out a noticeable sigh of relief when the tops of her thighs hit the edge of the stall.

Hazel eyes roamed about till they fell on a pair close to her: a Konti and an older Akalak male. Reven watched steadily for a moment as the two appeared to be battling out prices. It seemed so heated that the young woman was afraid she'd be stuck there waiting on assistance. Sure enough, she was greeted suddenly by another young man who's smile toward her caused an uneasy feeling to settle in her stomach. Maybe that was the nausea?

"Hi there! were you interested in purchasing some spices today?" An accent was evident in his voice but Reven could not place it.

"I uh..." She was twiddling her fingers now, glancing from the young man to the older one, still haggling prices, then back before tilting her head with curiosity. "May I offer an exchange?"

An expression of surprised moved over the Akalak's features before falling back into a polite smile. "I would need to ask, but I suppose we could do something of the sorts. What were you looking to exchange?"

Reven's features brightened as she pulled her bag around and began rummaging through it. It took her a moment to locate the scented herb but once she did, her firm hands held onto it gently as not to crumble it. Contained in a stained cloth, bundled up with cheap string, Reven unwrapped the herb to display the sage leaves neatly laid out one on top of the other. There was not much and the leaves were very small. Noting this, her glassy eyes swooped up to catch the Akalak rubbing his chin, perplexed.

"I was hoping I could trade this—Uh, well, do you know of anything that calms an upset stomach? I was hoping to exchange this for something like that."

"Hmm... Let me check, could you wait a moment?"

It was difficult watching the young man walk away. By the trail of his voice as he left her, Reven was preparing to be let down. It was something she was use to, trying to trade fur pelts and herbs to earn her keep, but is was disappointing to note the herb was not as precious or needed as she thought it would be. Her hearing could make out two voices off to her left, mumbled and incoherent before they broke apart and the young man was back in front of her. "We can exchange the bundle of sage for 5 pieces of..." He halted, peering around. If Reven didn't know any better, she'd think he was randomly selecting. Smoothly, his blue fingers fell onto a pile of brown looking flower buds. "... Clove." He finished.

Reven extended her hand, trading the sage for the cloves. The smell was a unique one and in the end, caused her to wrinkle her nose and turn away. "Will it help with body aches? Are you sure?"

He nodded in affirmation, taking the sage from the cloth and returning it to the Kelvic. She felt wary though, her trust in the man diminished upon his departure which made her question if he was truly correct. He looked just as young as she did. Pushing that thought from her mind, she sighed and wrapped the clove up before wiping the sweat from her brow once more. At least she had something to make her feel better, right?

[Kavala]

Kavala finished her transaction and had the two seedlings tucked neatly in her arm almost like a child. She was tired from her trip to the market, but couldn’t help but overhear the Kelvic in the next booth trading herbs. Kavala heard her ask for a second time if the herb would sooth a stomach ache and that explained Kavala’s sudden feeling of midriff discomfort. She shook her head quietly, wanted to tell herself it was none of her business, and then paused yet again.

She turned, approached the Kelvic, and offered her a smile. In many ways Kavala was young for a Konti, and her face housed a grin that was happy due to the seedlings she had in her arms. But behind that was sadness, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of the need to go on… somehow.

“It’s a poor trader indeed if he didn’t explain what all sage could do for you. But I believe that young man is the nephew of the booth owner and just minding it for the afternoon while his uncle is out gathering and replenishing stock.” The Konti said, nodding down at the sage in the woman’s hands. “Most of us use sage to cook with. At least that’s what we do out on the Grasslands. Do you know, in Pavi, its name means Healing Scent or Healing Breeze? You can use it for respiratory infections, congestion, cough, sore throats, to get people to eat more – it can make you hungry – and indigestion. It can also be used if you have a fever, night sweats, and problems in releasing your urine. But the thing about it is since its good for a lot of things, it’s not really really good for just one thing. So if your stomach is upset, it can help, but its best to get the core problem of why your stomach is upset. It hurts doesn’t it? I’m a little bit sensitive to Kelvics, and while no one here can tell just by looking at you that your stomach hurts, I can feel it hurting which means your both ill and Kelvic.” Kavala said, offering the woman a smile.

“My name is Kavala Denusk. I run The Sanctuary outside of Riverfall. It’s a center for healing for animals and Kelvics. We also breed and board horses and dogs there. Would you like for me to look you over? I do not charge Kelvics for my services. But I am marked by Rak’keli, the Goddess of Healing, so we can make sure there’s not a bigger problem and it’s just something you ate making your stomach all knotted like it is. We hold classes out there too, on herbalism and healing. In the spring, we’re going to open our doors to our first animal healer students.” Kavala said, and then shifted uncomfortably for a moment. She reached back with her one free hand that wasn’t cradling the pots the seedlings were in and grabbed for the counter to lean back against it abruptly.

She looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t be out and about. I gave birth a few days ago, but I needed to come to town to … pick up some supplies for the babies. I saw these, haggled for them, and should be getting back. I’m a fantastic doctor but I am a terrible patient.” The Konti said, looking even more pale than normal for one of her race.

[Reven Heath]

Reven Heath ☼ Winter, Day 16, 513 A.V.

Reven had scooted off to the side to avoid the person in her peripheral, she assumed, was coming to look at the spices. However, the girl was caught off guard when a woman, thin in frame yet kind in features, turned to her with pots in hand. The Kelvic had been off in her own little world and hadn't realized others had overheard her barter. "I certainly agree... I'm not so sure of this." Reven held up the 5 pieces of cloves covered up by cloth resting in her palm. Beckoning the young man to her, she held out the clove, returning it. "I'm sorry, I don't think this is going to be a fit trade for me..." Dumping the clove back into his hands, Reven took back her sage and turned to the woman. "Thank you, I wasn't too sure if he knew what he was talking about. I suppose I'll have to wait till the owner gets back. This is all I've got and I'm not sure what to do with it..." She sighed, glassy eyes inspecting the dried sage.

The woman was kind enough to explain its qualities to her and how effective it was at trying most of the symptoms Reven was experiencing now. "I can speak enough Pavi to get by but no, I didn't know that's what it meant. I feel like I should have known that, heheh." Chuckling softly, the Lioness tucked the sage back into her pack while listening intently to the woman.

Reven paused, her brow arched as hazel eyes met with blue. She was surprised the woman could read her so well. Was it that obvious she was ill? "Um, yes. I'm not feeling so well today. I hope it's not so obvious, heh." Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, she felt unsettled as the woman was able to guess things about the Kelvic average people would otherwise have trouble discerning. Reven felt proud of her nature but she was smart enough to know what society thought of her kind and it made her sick. That's why she tried her damnedest to appear as humanly possible.

"I am Kelvic." It was easy to detect her discomfort of the situation, even so, she merely nodded and continued with the conversation. "I've heard of the Sanctuary—well, actually, I visit it a lot during the morning hour. It's on my way to Fringe Forest." Reven was starting to noticed Kavala's pale features and fragile demeanor as her frame shifted once more. "Oh no, I couldn't—" Her interjection was halted by the Konti's words as she offered to help heal Reven from her sickness. It was tempting to accepted considering she didn't know what else she could do for herself besides wait on the owner to return. Not only that, but Reven was more than willing to learn a thing or two, if she could, from Kavala.

The Lioness jerked her hands forward toward the woman, thinking that Kavala was about collapse when she simply leaned her weight quite abruptly against the booth. "Oh..! Sorry, um, I wouldn't mind coming with you but are you sure you're okay? You're starting to look like me, heheh. Here, I can take those." Reven took the potted seedlings from the Konti's arms before the woman could protest. "Shouldn't you be resting after giving birth? I wouldn't mind escorting you back. You look like you need to lay down just as much as I do."

[Kavala]

Kavala almost protested when the Kelvic took her precious seedlings, but there was no malice in the other woman's actions. Kavala tooka deep breath, tried not to snatch the plants back, and calmed herself. "It's nothing a little rest and time off my feet will provide. I shouldn't be up town, but I needed too... well pick up a crib. There were two babies, not one you see... and well it was a hard pregnancy." Kavala corrected, looking thoughtful and resigned. She glanced down at the woman's midriff again and restrained herself from rubbing her own middle, then gently jerked her chin to the left. "I have a ponycart a good way down the row tethered. They have the crib I purchased loaded by now I'm sure. Will you walk with me and then ride with me back to The Sanctuary?" Kavala offered, starting to move and hoping the Kelvic followed.

The Healer knew she'd overdone it. And more surprisingly she was angry about it, not used to being weak, and not liking the fact that a simple trip to town could weaken her so much. The children's father should have been there. He should have been the one to present a crib or pick up rattles or otherwise provide for his children. But he was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he was on important business. Perhaps he just didn't care. Kavala met the gaze of the Kelvic and wished she could share some of this frustration with the woman. The Konti had no one to talk to and no one to really blame but herself.

So instead she nodded, chastised herself for being selfish, and looked over the Kelvic again. Back at the clinic she could tell more. Here, in the middle of the market, wasn't the time or the place.

The Konti moved slowly, leading the woman - did she have a name? Kavala turned to her. "May I know your name?" She asked abruptly, realizing she'd failed to catch it before if the woman had given it. "I'm glad I came today... if for nothing more to run into you. I shouldn't be here. I'm a fool for it. But I just wanted to get to town... get out. I've been couped up way too long." Kavala said, moving down about ten booths to where her cart was parked in back of a woodworkers where in a double crib had been tied to the back. The term ponycart was deceptive. It was a huge two wheeled cart pulled by an enormous chocolate colored stallion with long blond mane and tail. The creature lifted his head when he scented Reven and snorted, stamping a foot angerly. The whites of his eyes showed and he shifted in his traces, lipping at his bit and flashing teeth at the kelvic.

Kavala switched to Pavi, signed the grassland gesture for calm, and started whispering to the stallion as she walked up. He seemed to calm, settling where he was tethered, and snorted a few times as if to clear the scent of Reven from his nose.

"Your kelvic must be a predator. He's usually not so badly behaved." Kavala said apologetically as she released the stallion from where he was tied, restrung out his reins, and ascended the cart scooting over to make room for Reven. "Come on up. He won't eat you now. But he was telling you loud and clear he wasn't fooled by your human shape." The Konti said, a bit of an affectionate grin on her face.

If Reven climbed up, she'd start off, gently guiding the big horse through the warrens and out into the streets towards the gate. The ride to the Sanctuary wouldn't be a long one, not unless the silence between the two women stretched out awkwardly.

[Reven Heath]

For a moment, Reven regretted her actions when she saw a look of irritation wash over the Konti's features. Handling the seedling now, Reven wondered if she had come across too forward and startled the woman. Growing up, her caretaker, Mutaldi, made sure to instill proper etiquette and politeness even if the Kelvic was already naturally compelled to help others. Mannerism had been forsaken though, replaced by education and lots and lots of books. When the Konti didn't reject her offer of help, Reven relaxed frame and began walking with Kavala when she started moving. "I wouldn't mind coming along. I wouldn't feel right leaving you to return alone anyway. Heheh." Taking in the resigned expression, Reven furrowed her brow, contemplating what she could do to cheer Kavala up.

"Did it hurt..?" She asked with childlike curiosity. "Sorry if that's too bold of a question, I've never really had a chance to talk about birth with anyone." Reven heard giving birth was painful but she had never been enlightened with such details. "It's easier to notice pregnant women in the summer time, with the warm weather and all. Even when their stomachs are round they still look... beautiful to me. I can't imagine how taxing it must be on the body." Turning back to the woman, Reven noticed she appeared lost in her thoughts, as if troubled by something that weighed on her thin shoulders like a boulder. What could cause the woman so much emotion that it reflected deep within the blue pools of her eyes even as she tried to conceal it?

Reven scooted around the large bodies blocking her way, trying to keep pace with Kavala while the two made their way to the cart. Her stomach was starting to hurt more and the pots her arms clung to felt as if they were getting heavier. It was moments later when Reven heard Kavala speak up and almost smack herself for not providing her name sooner. "Oh! Sorry, my name's Reven. Reven Heath." No wonder the Konti felt uncomfortable before! A complete stranger had snatched her possessions without offering any kind of identity. "I'm not use to meeting new people, heheh. It was just Mutaldi and I for a while, she's my caretaker— well, was my caretaker. Now it's just me." She paused. "Not that she's dead, or anything like that. I'm just living on my own now." Reven clarified. The Kelvic definitely needed to get out more. It was embarrassing the way she stumbled over her words talking to people. "You're no fool. If there's one thing I understand, it's being cooped up inside all day with nothing to do but entertain silence. No one likes that... Except for the dead, maybe." Smiling, Reven followed her toward an enormous cart already load with the cribs Kavala had mention.

The horse, however, was the problem and Reven nearly dropped the seedling standing her ground against the intimidation the stallion was throwing at her. Human or animal, it was in her nature to dominate and control which was clearly displayed when her eyes landed on the horse... The eyes of a predator. Eyes fixed on the horse, Reven squared her shoulders, fixing herself right in front of its view, letting the horse know that she would not budge. A long moment past before Reven was able to relax as Kavala took control of the horse, trying to calm it in an odd sort of way. "I tend to have that affect on animals... and people, I suppose." If Reven could, she would have flashed her fangs at the animal just to startle it from her presence but neither would she do that to Kavala nor upset the beast anymore. He was their only form of transportation currently and shyke if she was going to carry those cribs back by herself. Moving toward the cart with caution, Reven settled the pots next to the cribs before climbing aboard, making herself comfortable beside Kavala. With the cart on its way toward the Sanctuary, Reven let out a sigh, messaging her temples to try and clear away the headache that was forming.

"The Sanctuary is a beautiful place..." Reven commented after a moment. "You keep it well maintained with it being away from Riverfall. It's comforting to have a place like to go to, away from the city. It can be rather suffocating here. The people here are nice, most of them anyway, but sometimes they can be judgmental, manipulative, frustrating..." Her voice trailed off while her hazel orbs examined the citizens of Riverfall as the two women made their way by. "It could be much, much worse... Still, it startled me today that you knew what I was." Offering a warm smile, Reven turned to Kavala. "I have never been called out before, heheh. I try hard not to let it show."

Unbeknown to the Konti, Reven didn't like people knowing what she was. She felt as though it gave them an advantage over her that she could neither fight against nor want to escape from. It had been her logic that kept her unbound all this time but things were starting to change. She knew she would find a bond eventually. It was something she looked forward to but what scared the Kelvic the most was its lack of predictability. Reven knew only the basic information which made looking at bonding with someone frightening. What would happen to her freedom? Would she become a pet? Or worse...

She didn't want to think about it and shook her head hard as if that would empty her mind of the thoughts. "So I understand you're a healer? That sounds like a well invested profession, are you the only one there? You mentioned classes before, I assume they're taught for a fee?"

[Kavala]

Kavala smiled at the Kelvic’s kindness. There was something about the woman, despite her horse’s reaction, that she truly loved. Sivak was just telling everyone he was unhappy hauling a predator around, but it hadn’t been any more or less of a reaction than he’d had with Larik, who was also a predator. The two had come to terms with each other and Kavala hoped Reven would be able to get along with some of the other animals back at her home as well.

Kelvics were complex creatures. They had a lot more going on than most people understood and felt deeper and worried more than most people gave them credit for anyhow.

Kavala snapped out of her introspection at Reven’s question. “There’s a small miracle to birth. Yes, it hurts. It hurts like nothing you’ve ever felt before. But when its over, there’s so much love inside of you and for the new life in your hands that is so much a part of you that you don’t remember the pain, just the joy. And sitting there when its all said and done with your child in your arms, you would go through twice the pain without even hesitation to be able to do it all over again.” The Konti admitted with a smile, her face softening and taking on a strangely fierce expression of love.

“There’s nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your children, make them happy, and indeed make sure the world is safe for them. Parents are special. Very special… and what about your own? Do you have a good relationship with yours?” Kavala asked, curious. It might have been crossing some lines, but she was always curious if Kelvics came from Kelvics or they were a surprise to an otherwise normal family.

“You have a lovely name. I like it. “ Kavala commented, listening to what Reven had to say about her caretaker and her living situation. It sounded like Reven was in a transition and moving from being a child to an adult in the rapid confusing way Kelvics often did. She smiled at Raven’s comment about the dead and being cooped up. It was so true. “Be that as it may, I am a fool for overdoing it. But I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t have ran into you otherwise.” Kavala said firmly, certain things happened for a reason.

The Konti guided the horse through the crowd, gently coaxing him not to run over people and to give the pedestrians plenty of room. She was busy for a moment, concentrating on her driving, when Reven asked her next question which wasn’t really a question, but more of a statement.

“Thank you for the compliments on my home. We’ve worked hard to build it up to be a safe place for everyone that lives there, be they people, Kelvics, or animals. Riverfall had a serious lack of healthcare for the later two when I came here. Kelvics didn’t get treated at all usually, and the animals were just left to see if they survived illness or not. It is never as simple as that.” Kavala said, smiling slightly and shaking her head.

“I’m a Konti. We spend a lot of time on Mura usually in our lifetimes. Drinking the water there, eating the food, even breathing the air often infuses us with the waters of Silver Lake. It’s a seeing water.. a special magical thing. After a while we develop what we call Konti Gifts. Mine is that I can sense the thoughts and feelings of animals and Kelvics. I can’t read your mind or anything, but I can feel what you are feeling… I’m empathic. So if you hurt I can feel that in my own body or if you are joyous that too comes across loud and clear. So if I’m feeling someone like I am feeling your stomach ache, then I know you aren’t human at all, but Kelvic. My gift doesn’t work on people. I think that’s why I became an animal healer.” Kavala said, looking thoughtfully at Reven. The woman was young… but with Kelvics it was hard to tell just how young.

“We have lots of healers at The Sanctuary. They are all at various stages of learning. And we teach classes… we’re going to actually expand and open into a Healing College for Animal Healers. There’s a special term for them.. veterinarians. But I don’t think anyone ever uses it.” Kavala said, glancing at Reven then back to the road.

By that time Sivak had taken them well past the gates and was trotting down the road to The Sanctuary quite happy to be out of the crowds and close to where he knew grain and hay awaited. Kavala, concentrating on her driving, also made a few remarks here and there.

“So how long have you lived in Riverfall?” The Konti asked, finally turning off on the side road that lead to her facility and eventually pulling in through the horse gates. Aweston, the head groom, came out to catch Sivak’s reins and nodded to Kavala.

“Kav, I’ll unload and unharness him. You look like you need to take a seat… maybe even in the clinic. I’ll have Cadra bring you both some tea. Hello Miss.” He said, nodding to Reven. Kavala climbed gingerly down off the pony cart then nodded to Reven. “Thanks Aweston. Aweston, this is Reven… Reven.. Aweston. He’s my cousin and in charge around here when I’m not around.” Kavala said, even though the man was human and had a very Drykas look about him.

If Reven was willing, she’d lead the Kelvic through the maze of pathways surrounding the big central arena, and then through a small courtyard that lead to The Healing Clinic. Once there, Kavala took off her cloak, hung it up, put on a wine red apron, and lead Reven to a patient room and patted the bed. “Have a seat up here. I want to look at you better to see whats bothering you.” She said, touching an elaborately patterned magical looking scrollwork on the side of the door. The scrollwork flared encasing both of Kavala’s hands in light, and cleaning them instantly. The glyph vanished after that, like it was never there to begin with.

Then she turned to Reven, ready to start the exam.

[Reven Heath]

“There’s nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your children, make them happy, and indeed make sure the world is safe for them."

Kavala's words shot through the Kelvic's heart in a way she would not have expected. The wave of emotion that came crashing down onto her was sudden and left her clutching the side of the wagon. This, however, subsided quickly and within a few ticks, Reven appear fine and focused in conversation. Even as an adult, Reven felt the hollow emptiness of being an orphan just as badly as any child would. And like orphan, she too craved for the answers as to why she was alone, what she did wrong, and what she could have done to fix it. Mutaldi was a great, caring woman that Reven was blessed to have in her life but even her caretaker only knew so much about how to care for her before it became a guessing game of 'is she ready, is she not'? In that way, her upbringing was awkward. Well handled, but awkward and for that, Reven always wondered what she would have been like if her parents had been there to raise her.

It was part of the reason why she wanted to find them.

Throughout their conversation, Reven was becoming very well acquainted with Kavala. The Lioness was starting to see a new side to the woman that caused her to smile with appreciation. Even as thin and weak as she was, Reven could tell the Konti had an unbend-able, unbreakable strength inside her unmatched by any other. It was obvious the Konti was special. Reven could tell when Kavala first approached her back at the Bazaar but she could not place just how extraordinary the woman was. Maybe it was her kindness, the Kelvic guessed, or the way she listened and engaged her so freely in conversation. Reven didn't know and by the time the two had made it half way down the road, the Lioness was wondering if she was going to make it to a bucket before vomiting.

The fever didn't help matters neither did her aching stomach nor the cold chills running up and down her body. She was not use to riding in or on any kind of transportation and mostly traveled by foot since she could not afford anything else. The motion of the wagon, rocking side to side, the rattling of the wood as the wheels rolled into bumps and potholes on the road, the smell of horse and mud... Soggy, mushy mud...

Reven breathed out and leaned over the side, thankful that the Sanctuary was only moments ahead. If she could see herself right now, she was sure her face would be as green as the grass. "That all sounds exciting..." The Kelvic pushed out. In her head, her thoughts screamed against the need to hurl. Motion sickness would not get the best of her, it was a her mantra whilst the two pulled through the gates of the Sanctuary. Once the horse ceased movement did the Kelvic slip from the wagon and ideal press against it till Kavala was on her feet. "Nice to meet you." Reven replied timidly, nodding her head politely to Aweston before following after Kavala. "I've lived in Riverfall all my life. It's been a nice place to grow up in when people aren't treating you like a pet. I guess that's one of the reasons why I want to get out of here so badly. To prove I'm more than that." Several ticks past before the Kelvic spoke up once more. "Expanding for college? I never knew you all were investing in such things." The color started returning to her features as the nausea in her stomach settled down. "Do you have beginner classes or are there certain requirements before starting? I was actually interested in taking a class, or anything for the matter. The Gods know I don't want to have this happened again. Heheh."

Following Kavala through the large facility, Reven peered out into a large courtyard that looked to be the perfect place for riding a horse. As they walked through, Reven could tell by the hoof prints in the dirt that she was exactly right. Weaving their way through the court yard, toward the client, Reven stepped into the room after the Konti and gazed around the room as it was unlike anything her young eyes had fell upon. Kavala called her over to a table, wanted to begin with the exam which the Kelvic didn't agree with. "Shouldn't you be resting first?" Reven grimaced, hesitant to approach the bed not because she was afraid but because the Kelvic didn't want to feel like she was taking advantage of the woman in her moment of ailment. Hopping onto the bed as instructed, Reven fiddled with her nails, tapping her fingers together out of habit while her hazel eyes examined the woman.

With her hands perched on what looked to be some kind of writing, Reven watched as Kavala's hands lit up with bright light before the writing completely disappeared from the side of the door. When the Konti approach Reven once more, the Kelvic reached out and grasped her thin wrist, curious as to what had caused the light. "Are you okay? What was that?" Inspecting Kavala's hands for any kind of burns, Reven turned child-like eyes up to the woman and raised a brow. "It was as bright as the lights behind my eyes, when I change... Are they the same thing?" Pausing, her lips curved into a slight frown. "Kavala, are you sure you're okay?" It was a sincere question for the Kelvic was very worried about the Konti. Even if they had just met, Reven had a natural habit of caring for others.

Once Kavala started the exam, she would see Reven's skin was sticking to her bones. She was malnourished but not morbidly so. Just enough to consider the young woman too thin. As she would look over the Kelvic's flesh, she would see the scars and scratches littered throughout the skin of her arms, legs, torso, and back. Her heart was strong, beating evenly, steadily, but her pulse was quick and her stomach rumbled softly, aching. Reven would shake softly, cold chills making themselves known yet again and her eyes would be glassy, showing the small fever she had. Over all, her form was fit, if not a little thin, her body was scarred up from the many times Reven had ventured into the forest, and her body appeared to reflect a simply bug that needed to leave her system from either end, one way or the other.

"Is everything alright?"

[Kavala]

If Kavala had known Reven’s issues with her parents, she wouldn’t have brought up what being a parent was like. There was no way she wanted to hurt the woman, but then again there was no way she could have known. But had Reven spoken up to Kavala about the issue, Kavala could have easily walked the woman’s Chavi and told her what had happened with her parents and where they were now. But Dreamwalking wasn’t something Kavala openly advertised. There was a time and place for it and for the most part talk of it had to be confined to the dark and the shadows for fear of people fully realizing its power and misunderstanding it.

“You don’t have to leave someplace to prove something. The Akalaks can be very narrow minded. I know from experience myself. They wonder, often, why they are so in need of woman and often it is their whole outlook that causes them to be mateless for the most parts. It’s the same with Kelvics. They are probably the least likely race to bond with your type, and yet when they do they realize you are so much more than something one would consider a pet… but until they do they are blind to the fact and frankly it’s their loss.” Kavala said, reaching over to pat Reven’s knee.

“Yes… we’re always expanding. I dream big. Always have. I just want to make a difference. And yes we have all kinds of classes here… well not formally not right now but we are set up to teach for sure. What interests you most? I think we could just attach you to someone who is a healer, an herbalist, or even someone interested in animal sciences… breeding, foaling, that sort of thing. They could give you studies, but in addition you could learn a lot hands on as well. I’m not really as good as I could be on Herbalism, but I can teach medicine. Caelum is the herbalist. And Vanator knows weapons.. he’s in charge of making sure all of our staff and residents here can defend themselves. We call him an Arms Master. But we also offer jobs here too….grooming, general labor, hunting, that sort of thing… we could exchange knowledge. And we have on site residential rooms so people studying can live here too.” Kavala replied, glad to see the Kelvic was interested in learning more. So many people thought they were incapable of it, when they actually weren’t any less intelligent than most folks.

Many of the Kelvics that Kavala had met were actually fairly high up in intelligence, far more than the people she often ran across day in and day out in the city.

The trip through the facility was quick. And honestly, Kavala wanted to be in the clinic more than she wanted to be in bed. Back to work was important to her. And she bustled around, grabbing things and slowly getting things ready to look at Reven. Reven’s question, however, didn’t surprise her.

“It’s called a glyph. It has a kind of art that magic or gnosis can be stored in. When I touch it, it released part of a stored healing power in it - Rak’keli’s ability to cleanse things in this case. I touched many things up town, talked to many people, and before I touch you I want to make sure that I got no sickness from them that I can then give you. I recharge these glyphs nightly as part of the shut down procedure for the clinic. All the healers here are required to activate one before they see a new patient… or between patients. That’s why the door frames are painted with them. They will get repainted tonight before we shut down. It keeps our residents from getting sick and helps our patients too.” Kavala said, then gently asked Reven to remove her shirt.

“Can you take your shirt off? I want a good look at your stomach and I’m going to need to touch you there.” Kavala said, gathering a few things then pausing in front of Reven. If the Kelvic indeed slipped off her shirt, Kavala would note the physical condition of the woman… her thinness… and it would concern the Konti to no end. Moving to the side, Kavala ran her hands down Reven’s prominent ribs and stroked her hand across her belly… a warm light infusing the skin at her touch. “Tell me if any of this hurts… “ Kavala said, probing her stomach gently and then moving lower to follow up on her intestines. She did a quick check on Reven’s ovaries and uterus by just gently pressing and looking for lumps, knowing with a touch because of her gnosis that the woman wasn’t pregnant or infected. It was odd because there wasn’t any sort of injury she could detect. Kavala had suspected a hernia or some sort of infection, perhaps even a tear in the lining.

She pressed harder on the stomach and frowned at the hardness she felt there. Reven felt full even though she was decidedly not nourished. Kavala sent the tendrils of her Rak’keli gnosis further into Reven and then felt them…

Them…

Kavala removed her hand, nodded, and glanced up to meet Revens’ eyes. “You haven’t been eating the best of meals, have you? You aren’t sick, there’s no infection, but you are infested… with worms. And I can only imagine they are giving you an unimaginable stomach ache off and on. You don’t feel hungry as much as you should I suspect, and this is not going to be a good thing. I’ll have to philter an herbal poison to kill the little buggers. They are eating all the nutrition you are getting… so you’re nothing but skin and bones.” Kavala said, shaking her head. She hadn’t suspected worms at the market, but it made sense with Reven being some sort of predator. For all she knew, the woman had been eating rats or something else equally repulsive.

“You need some decent meals, a good place to sleep, and some watching for a day or two as we slowly up the doses to make sure we clear them out. I’ll have to give you a mild poison that will kill them and clean them out of your system. It won’t be fun for a while… not exactly. But the more rest and food you get, the better off you’ll be. Would you consider staying here for a while?” Kavala asked, knowing she’d have to go work on the poison in The Within, in the Isolation lab. She wondered if Reven would enjoy something like that.

And while the Kelvic thought things over, Kavala abruptly tossed Reven's shirt back to her, took a seat, yawned, and stretched out her feet. She offered the kelvic a grin and waited for her to think things through.

[Reven Heath]

Kavala's words were more than comforting when it came to Akalaks and their behavior. It made sense, when she thought about it, why they were always so desperate for a woman's affection and yet, still craving more even after they had what they wanted. Reven never imagine the two races were so alike. Both naturally seeking out for some kind of emotional fulfillment from someone else. "You know, I never thought about it like that. I suppose we are alike in a number of ways, it just makes me wonder why they try so hard. Granted, the few Akalaks I know have already settled down properly, with a wife and kids, but it's hard going into the city where a lot of them are just... ignorant. The times I've dealt with an Akalak have been socially unpleasant, I suppose because everyone under the sun can figured out what I am from simply talking to me. Sometimes it hurts to be brushed off in such a way or blatantly cooed at. Whatever happened to properly courting? Like in the books? Maybe I'm just living in some dream that relationships are suppose to be about love. The more I look around at the people within the city, the more I wonder if prospect of love ever guides their actions... Maybe I'm just young but it scares me to think about love and emotions being what I am. I just hope... the bond, when it happens... I hope it's with someone I can learn to love." Her words were steady, laced with optimism and faith for the future. "I'm only two and about a year ago I was able to understand common language. Mutaldi has tried her best but she's not Kelvic, so it's unknown territory I'm wading through and as thrilling as it feels, I can't help feeling... anxious about it... What is it like? Is it passionate? Is it calming? It is freeing? Or is it like a shackle to our freewill?" Shaking her head, the Kelvic paused to collect her thoughts. "One day, I will find someone and I hope they're able to understand the kind of person I am..." Trailing off, she let the silence fill the air, not expecting any kind of answer in return to her comment.

Thinking about the bond was like peering out past a cliff overlooking the sea where on the horizon, lay giant, bellowing clouds of a storm. When that storm would hit, and it would hit hard, it would throw the land into disarray for a short while. The rain would change the ground, the wind would knock down structures, and the storm would crash so violently into the land, the alteration would be noticeable. However, the storm would have swept away the old, rotted dirt in exchange for new healthy soil where grass could grow greener than before. It would have knocked down structures so that new, stronger foundation could be built upon to withstand any gale. It was a catalyst in the rebirth of the land. Thinking about the bond was seeing this storm ahead, anticipating its arrival, knowing that it could shake the very foundation of her being and yet, being able to look forward to it. It was terrifying and thrilling, balled into one emotion thrashing around inside her lonely heart.

Reven didn't understand why she was saying such a thing or looking to the Konti for something she probably couldn't answer, but it was the first time Reven could speak her thoughts to someone. Comfort was what she felt around the woman. Knowing she was not being judged under some scrutinizing gaze loosened her lips enough to hold an enjoyable conversation with Kavala. To a certain degree, the Kelvic felt young again and cared for like a child by a kind mother. It didn't bother her to think of the situation in such a manner but it was something she had to push away.

"Oh?" Her interested perked up as Kavala went over the details of the courses offered and the residential quarters for students wanting to learn. "Education has basically encompassed my life, heheheh." Reven smiled. "Any classes I can take to learn something new, I definitely want to pounce on. I know a few things about plants and herbs, but just enough to know what's edible. And trust me, I had to learn that the hard way... But if the Sanctuary is offering classes I would be very interested in courses on medicine and herbs. There is a slight problem to that... I don't make much money so I won't be able to pay for the classes until the season is out. Unless there's another way I could pay for those lessons, I would be more than happy to."

Settling into the bed, Reven tugged off her shirt upon the woman's request, finding no shame in displaying the skin of her torso. "I never knew of such a thing." The Kelvic commented, raising her arms slightly. She squared her shoulder so her stomach was more accessible and watched as Kavala laid her hands over her ribs. The first thing Reven noted was the concern the spread across the Konti's face. She didn't understand what would be concerning about her ribs, unless Kavala knew something the Lioness didn't. Reven was use to eating small meals during the day, mostly relying on the prey she found out in the Fringe Forest. As Kavala asked her about any pain did the Kelvic bend over from the pressure put on her abdomen. It did hurt when she pressed in a particular area which made the Kelvic nervous. What was wrong with her? Apologizing, she straightened up once more and let the woman exam her further.

"W-What?" After Kavala's brief explanation of what was going on with Reven, the young woman looked greener than she had on the wagon. Worms... The thought of them crawling around in her intestines was enough to make her vomit. She, however, remained perched on the bed and appeared less than thrilled at the news. "Poison? Bleh..." Reven must have been carrying them for a while since thinking back on it, she had been feeling this way for quite some time. "What's going to happen? Are they dangerous? Could this kill me?" Breathing in, Reven threw her hand back into her hair. "The last thing I want to be is a burden... Or cause a mess... I need to stay here? Well I suppose I could, if it's this serious..."

Gloom settled onto the Kelvic's shoulders. She had no idea what this place was or who was here, certainly not anyone she knew except for Kavala. Not only that but if she was to remain her for a while, Reven would have nothing to keep her entertained other than to explore and that was probably something she wouldn't be able to do. She didn't carry any books, they were back at her place in Riverfall, and by the Gods would she attempt to write or draw anything with her chicken scratch handwriting. The Lioness would be cooped up inside all day, possibly stuck near a bucket or washroom.

Sliding her shirt back over her shoulders, Reven glanced up at Kavala and nodded lightly. "I can stay, if you'll have me. Do you... Do you have any books I could ready?" Tapping her thumbs together, Reven smiled nervously. "I hate being shut up in a room all day probably just as much as you, heheh. With my hands alone, I could probably count how many times I've been sick in my life. I suppose being a Kelvic has its advantages... and disadvantaged." Sighing, Reven slouched forward, rubbing her temples to try and ease the headache the was forming. "It's a good thing I ran into you when I did, I wasn't expecting to have... worms." Reven shivered. "Thank you for helping me, again. If there's anything I can do to repay you for this, please let me know."