Closed Journey To Elsewhere (Juniper)

[Savos]

43rd of Summer, 514 AV

Dawn was sneaking in through the cracks of Lhavit's peaks as Savos rose. It was still the middle of dawn rest for the Lhavitians, but Savos rarely paid attention to the scheduled rest hours. He was still unaccustomed to this method of sleep, and still slept long hours when he could. Besides, today, he had an appointment.

As he prepared himself in his humble apartment, he thought out the possibilities of what today must bring. He had thought about doing this for a long time, but only a week ago did he somewhat impulsively make the decision. Today, he would leave Lhavit and go on an expedition of sorts. He wanted to go to Amaranthine falls. He had made all the necessary preparations. He had already found hired someone to guide him through the Misty Peaks, though he had yet to meet her. He was nervous about this, and wondered who would be there to greet him at the predetermined meeting place.

The streets were almost empty, and the air was cold and frigid. Savos walked hesitantly, ready to run back to his apartment to check if he had forgotten to pack something. He had with him some dried foods, flint and steel, his drawing supplies, and a small knife. He was unsure of himself, not knowing if there was something crucial that he needed for this trip that he had forgotten. The day before, he had even considered going to the market and buying a bow and arrow. It was a vague memory of the militia training he had gotten in Denval as a child. He had discarded the idea when he remembered that the purpose of this trip was not a hunting one, and rather more of a journey.

He had been told many times of Amaranthine falls and of its beauty. Just hearing others describe it made him want to bust out his sketchbook and attempt to visualize it. But while his urge to draw this landscape was his official excuse for going, the truth was that he simply needed out. He had been stuck in this city for over a year now. Fear had stopped him from leaving before, but he was now beginning to grow comfortable with the city he now lived in, and yearned to explore it. He missed being able to get away from the people, from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was difficult to do so, when Lhavit's wilderness had such a dangerous reputation. He hoped that hiring this anonymous guide would do the trick.

He finally arrived at the city limits, the start of the trail that would lead him to his destination. He looked around, and did not see anyone there yet. Assuming he was early, he took a seat on a nearby boulder, and waited.

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[Juniper Frost]

: : : 43rd Day of Summer, 514 AV : : :

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Cold sweat matted her hair and made her linen sheet cling to her body as Juniper struggled to breathe. She sat upright in her bed, exhausted upon waking as she always was after... afterwards. She stifled unbidden sobs with heavier breathing until she could finally grasp enough of her self to her own bidding. Throwing aside the sheet, Juniper Frost leapt from her bed and paced across her small cottage floor. She needed to busy herself if she had any hope of retaining control of her self. Unabashedly naked, Juniper opened a nearby window to let the cool morning air mix with the stale warmth in her home. She paced about the cottage for a little longer before kneeling before a wooden chest and lifting its lid. She didn't need to rummage about, as she was meticulous with organization, and soon came out with a full set of clothing. She slid into her undergarments before donning her blouse and new skirt. Juniper was grateful for the light linen clothing, as her usual wool attire would bake her as she walked in the sun as surely if she were in an oven. Smiling lightly at the thought, Juniper finished clothing herself and pulled out a backpack. Wasting no time, she soon packed her bag with what she would need for the job ahead.

The job. She had been asked by Regor to go out once more and act as a guide in the dangerous wilds of Kalea, and Juniper had eagerly accepted. The wilderness was one of the few places where Juniper did not need to struggle to maintain lucidity. The wilderness allowed Juniper to feel free from the life she wandered through while settled in Lhavit. She needed to get out, to explore and wander and search. It was there and then that she felt alive. So it came about that through a friend of a friend, Juniper was hired to safely lead a man named Savos into the wilderness. Regor assured her that Savos was a goodly man and would not rob her or stick her with a blade, yet Juniper buckled on her rapier still. Not because she distrusted the man, but because there were worse things in the wilderness than dishonest men. Pechi-roza, Death's Uniter, would keep them safe.

Part way though opening her front door, Juniper paused. The surge was strong, and she felt herself slipping away and fraying at the edges. She felt the wandering mind seep in. She felt the numb blankness soften her resolve. Juniper felt herself lose control to a part of herself that was only meant to be a protection. It felt like her head was full of wool and she was suddenly aware that she had woken to find herself in another dream. Without intending to Juniper closed the door gently, dropped her backpack, slid down near the hearth and softly cried.

She hated dreaming, lately.

-- -- --

Warm winds wafted through the streets of Lhavit, sending sweet smells of morning meals and scented soaps along with the lazy breeze. The bustling sounds of people waking from the Dawn Rest filled the air as well, and Juniper caught several morning songs intermingling with the early morning sounds. She paid them little mind, however, as she hustled through the streets and halls of Lhavit toward her appointed meeting with Savos. Juniper knew Lhavit's street plan like it was her own home, so it was with little waylay that she found herself outside of the city's limits while many still woke from their resting. She spotted Savos exactly where Regor had said he would be found, near a well used trail that Juniper knew nearly as well as Lhavit's streets. Slowing her pace, Juniper took a few moments to inspect Savos while he wasn't aware of her presence.

Assured by what she saw after a small amount of time, Juniper approached Savos in earnest, allowing more sound to carry with her footsteps. She curved her path so as to approach Savos from the side rather than from behind, figuring it better not to startle him. Easily, Juniper smiled warmly at the prospect of meeting the artist Regor had told her about.

"Hello there," Juniper called out softly, though her voice carried easily on the drafty air, "are you Savos?" Not really waiting for a reply, she carried on, "I'm Juniper, your humble guide through the mountainous wilds of Kalea!"

No more than a half dozen strides away from Savos, Juniper lowered her head in a bow while keeping her sky-blue eyes on the man.





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[Savos]

The dawn rest had ended, and people were beginning their day. Savos resisted the urge to pull out his sketchbook and draw the occasional passerby, worried that his guide would come around the corner at any moment and interrupt his activities. So he waited, nervous that she would be late, and they would not get to the Amaranthine falls. He was told by the locals when he asked around that it would take an entire day to get there, and that he had to get started early in the morning. Daunting, yes, but he felt it would be worth it.

He was humming a childhood song and tossing a pebble around in his hand when his guide made her appearance. He had noticed her in his peripheral just as she started speaking.

“Hello there,” she said. Her voice was carried by the breeze and sounded almost as though she were right next to Savos. He turned to see her, and was instantly captivated by the woman before him.

Juniper was not the wilderness guide Savos had expected. He had expected a more rugged character, wild and fierce, just like the nature they lived in. The hunters he had known in Denval were like that. This woman seemed entirely different. She was as pale as Leth's light, dressed in light attire and a warm smile that brought color to her complexion. She bowed with grace, and Savos immediately stood up as she did so. He smiled back at her, and bowed lightly in return.

”That's me. Thank you for coming. I'm sure I'd be lost without you, literally.” He broke his gaze and untied a string of cloth that he had around his wrist. He pulled his hair out of his face and tied his hair back with it, deciding it would most likely get in his way on this trip. Looking back at Juniper as he slung his bag around his shoulder, he began to make his way toward the trail, which at this point looked inviting and scenic. He hoped that it would remain that way for a little while, at least.

”Shall we?” he asked her with a smile. Though she did not look like the kind wilderness expert he was accustomed to, he did not doubt her capabilities for a moment. He could not fully explain it, but he could tell that her grace was not the educated, learned kind of attitude. It was far more wild than that, like the grace of a hawk as it dove into the water for its prey. So Savos placed his faith into Juniper, and hoped it wouldn't result in him lying in one of Misty Peak's many ditches.

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