Closed A Small Celebration(Turrin)

[Drusilla]

91st of Spring 515AV Drusilla was wide awake, even after yesterday's events. Wide awake... and plotting. She had taken some of the black scraps of silk and sewn them into finger length little bulges; fake leeches. A dozen or so were carefully made. Grinning the Symenestra picked on up looking it over. To anyone they'd just look like little cloth bundles. But to a certain half asleep Endal, they were the things of nightmares. Drusilla giggled to herself at her plan, it'd teach him to wake her up extra early! Everything was ready well almost... She went to a shelf moving things until she found what she was looking for and loaded up her bag. Making her way into the main room she stopped short of Turrin's room and made her way to Aponivi. The large bird knew of her intentions, as she had wrestled the flight gear on the bird which had been some what chaotic even with the bird's instructions. She gave a smile, "All ready, Ponipon?" She nodded, "Good! I'll go get Turrin." Sneaking into the Endal's room was easy enough. The challenging part would be laying out the 'leeches' on him. Thankfully his arms and chest were uncovered and with a devilish smile Drusilla went to work placing the 'leeches' on his arms and on his chest. Oh gods, he'd freak out! Stepping back grin plastered on her face she screamed in false terror, "Turrin! Turrin, wake up! You have leeches on you! Oh my gods!" And as the Endal woke up the chaos began. Success!

[Turrin]

Walking along the shoreline of the Zavkhan river, the golden eyed boy knelt into the murky water and felt around for something resembling the vague outline of a shell. However, the half-breed started to feel something large and slimy latch onto his arm. Lifting his arm out of the water, the golden eyed boy started to scream out in terror as a six inch leech was stuck to his arm!

When Turrin woke up from his nightmare, the endal thought that he was still in the jungles of Falyndar because he was all sweaty from the night before. However, when he looked at his arms, the endal's eyes went wide in terror as he saw his arms were speckled with black. Suddenly, he heard Drusilla yell out in terror about him being covered in leeches. The combination of being half asleep and being deathly afraid of leeches caused the myrian to jump out of bed, yell out in terror, and started to vigorously brush off the black speckled piece from his arms and face. When the myrian picked up one of the black pieces, the endal realized his “leeches” were black pieces of felt. Looking at Drusilla, the myrian laughed softly and asked, “Why do you hate me, Dru...?”

The myrian was completely naked, but the endal didn't care since Drusilla invade his room. Turrin gave her a grin and said with smirk, “I have a feeling you were planning this for awhile. Oh this isn't over my pale friend...!” Suddenly, the myrian remembered that he spent the night drink and a feeling of vertigo started to wash over the tall half-breed. Turrin sat down on the edge of the bed and held his head for a chime till the room stopped spinning and asked to Drusilla, “You didn't wake me up to just play tricks on me didn't you? What do you have planned Dru?” Turrin was starting to believe that their relationship was healing since the beginning of the spring. The endal knew that he needed to make amends since she slapped him when they first saw each other. Running a hand through his burgundy hair, he gave the symenestra a smile and waited for her response.

[Drusilla]

Drusilla collapsed on the ground in a fit of laughter. She couldn't breathe and she was in tears rolling about the floor and kicking her legs in what must of looked like some sort of mad fit. Every time she got close to quieting down the image would rear up in her mind again and the fit would begin again. "I-if I-I-I ahaha!! H-Hat-ted y-y-you, Y-you'd b-be d-dead!" The Symenestra was somehow able to squeak out between her laughing. Rolling to her side she encountered one of her 'leaches', and held it up in the air above her. She finally sat up face puffy from her tears of laughter and flicked the 'leech' at Turrin. "You better keep these they took time to make and if you don't...I'll be free to use them on you again!" She sat on the floor and looked up at Turrin with big Amethyst eyes, "The leeches were a last tick thing, call it payback for the day you woke me up." She smiled, "But yes, I was planning on waking you up. Now get dressed, don't want to keep Ponipon waiting... But first, we have to give Kaya her present before we get going! Where and why are we going? To see the cherry blooms! Why because it's your birthday! I even hit the kitchens and got some lunch to go!" Drusilla got to her feet, "Now hurry up or you won't get your presents." She gave a giggle and winked. "I'm gonna get changed real quick... Consider it a birthday surprise.." With that she left the room to go change. In her room now looking over the Myrian styled outfit, Drusilla was feeling shy and nervous... But, she had bought them so she may as well wear them. The leather was form fitting... The top much like the Inarta tops, but the skirt was short. With a sigh she pulled back her hair in a messy bun and looked herself over. The brown leather outfit was cute enough with embroidered stitching here and there. Gathering her courage she made her way to the main room and waited for Turrin and his reaction.

[Turrin]

Turrin watched the symenestra roll on the floor with laughter at her little victory over him. Drusilla knew most of his weakness and the spider carefully manipulated his fears to her advantage. The myrian was truly impressed with his friend. The myrian golden eyes looked down at her through his burgundy hair covering his face and said with a nod, “I will cherish your “leeches” forever my dear Drusilla...” When Turrin heard Aponivi nickname, the endal laughed slightly, but it was cut short by his pounding head. The myrian said with a groan, “Pon..i..pon I still can't get over Aponivi's nickname. Cherry blossoms? Oh yes... They are at the end of their bloom aren't they...” The fuzziness in his head started to clear and the myrian said with a smile, “Yes, I would hate to miss them since I will have to wait a whole year to seem them again with you.”

Turrin attention perked up when she said that she had presents for him. When she giggled and winked at him, the myrian gave the symenestra woman a dumbfounded look when she hinted at part of his present was something that she was wearing for him. If Drusilla putting this much thought into looking nice for him, he decided that he would look nice for her too. The myrian took this opportunity to get ready himself by taking a quick bath and washing the sweat and smell of last night from his body. As he washed his hair, the myrian tried to remember what happened the night before, but he couldn't even recall how he got home from the Inclement Weather. The endal was sure that he would hear about it come the summer, but today, he was just going to focus on Drusilla. When he was finished bathing and shaving, the endal went to room, took out his nice pair of crimson bryda, and laid them onto the bed.

Sitting on the edge of bed in front of the mirror, Turrin brushed the gnarls out of his long hair. As he brushed his hair, he started to noticed that his hair was almost to the middle of his back. Normally, he kept it around the top of his shoulders, but he had been neglecting his appearance as of late. These last few seasons were rough on the endal and spending most of his days in the Unforgiving didn't give him time groom himself. Rubbing his bare chin, the endal was wondering if he should think about facial hair. He knew Inarta didn't care for facial hair as much as the myrians did, but he wasn't fully Inarta, so might try it out during the colder seasons of fall and winter. Putting on his nice bryda, the myrian covered his shoulders in his katinu and strapped his talon sword scabbard to his hip. The warrior knew that he didn't need his weapon, but he felt uncomfortable without his mother's sword at his hip.

When Turrin finished grooming and dressing himself for the day, the endal walked out into main room to see Drusilla standing in the middle of the room. Turrin had to take a moment to recognized the symenestra because she wasn't wearing her normal attire of flowing gowns, vinati, or bryda. The avora was wearing a leather vinati and short leather skirt. If it wasn't for her ashen skin, the half-breed would have mistaken her for a myrian woman. As Turrin entered the room, the endal eyes widened for a moment because the leather outfit didn't leave much to the imagination. Looking at her face, Drusilla looked like she was in a rush because her long white hair was put up into a messy bun. Realizing he was staring at her. Turrin decided that he needed to give the woman a proper compliment. Walking up to close to her, the myrian decided that he wouldn't touch her, but he bent close to her ear and whispered softly, “Honestly, I am lost for words right now, but you look truly breathtaking, Drusilla...”

[Drusilla]

"I'm surprised, you didn't give me much to go on. I had to find a merchant at the market who normally sets up shop in Thunder Bay. These clothes, they make my arms and legs feel much too long." She looked at her arms, her hands hung next to her knees. There was no way for her to hide her arms wearing this. Oh well, she would adapt. Drusilla looked to Turrin and picked up the candle she had set on the table. The scented candle had a deep woodsy smell. She held it up to Turrin, "For Kaya." The Symenestra said simply to him and turned making her way to the door. As was her custom Drusilla knocked on the door and stated it was her before entering in. "Mabda, Kaya, It's Drusilla and I'm coming in." She left the door open for Turrin if he wanted to join her. A bittersweet smile came to her face, "Kaya, Happy Birthday! I know, I know, I'm a day late. But, better late than never right?" Drusilla held up the candle. "This is for you. Sadly I can't light it right now, I'm taking Turrin out for the day. Once I return I'll spend some time with you." Placing the candle on the alter, she folded her hands and said a simple prayer. Then, quietly left the room. It never got easier... Going in that room... Drusilla closed the door and made sure it was secure. The Symenestra cleared her throat and grabbed her bag. "We better not keep Ponipon waiting... I've told him the directions all he has to do is get us there. It can be tricky to find on foot." She knocked on the eagle's door and annouced herself before entering. "You may want to check that I put all of his gear on right, he guided me through it but..." She shrugged.

[Turrin]

When Drusilla said her arms were to big for her outfit, Turrin said reassuringly, “Dru, you are perfect the way you are. You could wear a tunic made out of straw, and I would still think you are beautiful...” The endal looked her over again and said with a approving nod, “However, I have to admit that there is a certain appeal to seeing you in leather...” The half-breed hoped that compliment would put the symenestra's mind at ease.

Turrin had to admit that he did have a thing for women in leather too because he grew up in Taloba wear the main fabric was leather. Also, being a young male in Taloba, Turrin grew to be attracted to the athletic warrior women dressed head to toe in leather clothing or armor. On the other hand, Drusilla had a exotic beauty to her that he couldn't quite find in human or myrian women. In truth, he found her most alluring in her silky symenestra gowns. He just wished that she wore more color other than black. Black made her look like she was constantly mourning someones death. When he first met her, she always seemed sad and distant, so maybe black was a appropriate color for her at the time. However, she seemed more confident in herself and happy with her life, and it showed in her confidence in trying on different clothing from different races.

Turrin followed Drusilla into his mother's and sister's sanctuary, and he watched her preform her ritual for the dead. The myrian smiled to himself when he listened to Drusilla talk to his mother and sister like they were still alive. It was comforting to know that someone other than him cared for his family as much as him. When she folded her hands to say her prayer, the endal knelt besides Drusilla and said a prayer in myrian, “I know that I am not with you two, but please save me a seat in Dira's dining hall, Kaya.” Turrin closed his eyes and said to his mother, “Mother, I am sorry that I have been away so long. I hope you and father find your place in Myri's armies once again...”

Turrin was always convinced her father and mother must have been soul mates that were unlucky to be born from two different races of people. The half-breed could tell they shared a bond that nobody not even his grandmother could break. When Drusilla stood to leave, Turrin followed her out of the room. Drusilla told him that she already gave Aponivi (Ponipon) the directions to the cherry blossom grove. When Drusilla told him that she already got the saddle on Aponivi, the endal was actually surprised because the saddle was quite heavy. Turrin nodded to her and said softly, “I am sure you did fine. I just need check if the straps are tight enough before we head out. I don't want our date to be cut short by dieing.”

Once they got to the room, Turrin put his talon sword scabbard in the saddle bags, and he started to inspect the saddle straps on the wing eagle. The endal had to tighten a few of the straps on the side of saddle and the large strap going under the wind eagle, but all in all, she didn't do a bad job. Turrin looked at her outfit, and he knew the symenestra would be cold flying over the volcano's glacier in her outfit. Taking off his katinu, Turrin walked over to white haired woman, draped it around her shoulders, and said with a nod, “Even if it is late spring, the winds coming off the volcano's glacier are quite strong and cold in the high altitudes, so why don't you take my Katinu, Dru. It will keep you warm till we are down in the low valleys...” Walking over to Aponivi, Turrin stepped into the left stirrup with his left foot and swung his right leg over the back of the wind eagle. The endal offered a hand to his date and said with a smile, “You can either ride behind me or in front of me. I will let you decide...”

[Drusilla]

Drusilla stopped and thought, "Straw would be itchy though... Plus it wouldn't weave well either..." His second comment made her raise an eyebrow, "Oh? Why what sort of appeal would that be?" The Symenestra gave a grin, arms folded, weight balanced on one leg. She listened to Turrin as he spoke his father's tongue to the alter. It was a language she wasn't used to hearing. It sounded strange and from a place faraway. However to the Symenestra it was just a meaningless mumble of syllables and sounds she didn't understand. Turrin had never taught her. Any and all meaning was lost to her. Entering Aponivi's perch Drusilla gave him a look as to tell him to keep quiet over the ordeal she and the eagle had gone through getting him set up. It had been tougher than she wanted to let Turrin know. The way he spoke of the women in Taloba... Drusilla couldn't be weak, she would surpass what her race could do and then some. The offering of his Katinu was received with thanks. Drusilla didn't fly often and hadn't thought of the cool airs. "Much appreciated, Turrin. Thank you. I didn't stop to think about the air..." Drusilla walked up toward Aponivi, "Remember the directions?" She returned to Turrin, "You should sit lead, after all you are his partner."

[Turrin]

Turrin helped Drusilla up onto the back of Aponivi and mentally contacted the great raptor, If Drusilla discussed our destination with you already than I will just sit back and enjoy the ride old friend...

Aponivi responded quickly, You just enjoy your time with Drusilla. She seemed excited to take you out on a date...

Turrin smiled to himself as he felt Drusilla's presence behind him. It had been a long time since they took a wind eagle flight together. The idea of a date seemed strange for the endal to swallow, but she made it apparent her feelings for him, so maybe it wasn't so strange. Drusilla was a remarkable woman, and she had been with him since he arrived in Wind Reach nine years ago. The endal knew that he needed to be a better man if they were going to stay together long term. Looking back at Drusilla, the half-breed said with smile, “Even though I have a massive hang over, I am really looking forward to this Drusilla. I am eager to see what you have planned today.”

Aponivi started to move forward to the entrance of the cave opening. The wind eagle just sat at the entrance for a chime as he pondered his route. Turrin looked at the cloudless sky and smiled as he knew it was going to beautiful day. As Aponivi stepped off the side of the cliff, Turrin bent forward expecting his usual antics, but the giant raptor gracefully glided into the air. The endal for a moment thought the wind eagle was sick because it was uncharacteristic for the wind eagle to be civil. When Aponivi was good distance from the side of the cliff, the eagle started to flap his wings as he gradually started to turn back towards the volcano. The wind eagle seemed to be using more energy flapping his wings to gain higher altitude, but with the giant wingspan the eagle was able to reach the desire height to clear the summit of the volcano. As Turrin got closer to the summit, the wind blowing off the ice was much colder than wind by his aeries. Feeling goosebumps starting to form on his arms, Turrin started to rub them vigorously for extra warmth, but he knew warming his arms were futile if his whole chest and back were bare to the elements.

When Aponivi made it over the summit of the volcano, the wind eagle brought in his wings and started to descend into the shadow of the mountain. The endal leaned forward in his saddle, so the force of the wind around him wouldn't blow him off the back of the raptor. As they decided down the face of the mountain, the air around them started to get warmer. Eventually, the wind eagle leveled out and started to glide forward into a large valley. As they flew over the Unforgiving, Turrin could tell most of the trees in the valleys were a vibrant green and the grasses of the high valleys were starting to get tall and thick as the spring gave way to summer. The must have flew for half a bell, and eventually, Turrin saw a small forest of reddish pink flowers in the distance. The endal looked back at Drusilla and gently squeezed her leg. The endal knew there was no use talking with the air wiping around them. Eventually, Aponivi found a clearing on the outskirts of the flowery forest. Laying down on the ground, Turrin jumped off the wind eagle, offered a hand to white haired woman, and said with a smile, “I think we picked the perfect day to arrive because the wind seems to be slowly blowing the petal off...”

[Drusilla]

As they landed and Turrin helped her to the ground, Drusilla immediately went to thank Aponivi. "Thank you for the ride dear friend, now you too sit and relax and enjoy yourself." She reached into her bag, producing a wrapped item that once unwrapped was in fact a dead rabbit. "I know it's not much to for you, but I brought it in thanks for the ride" Unlatching a bundle she smiled and gave the eagle a hug and left him to enjoy his time and snack. Returning to Turrin, she removed his Katinu from her shoulders and returned it to him, nodding in agreement to his earlier statement. "Yes, the petals are in the middle of falling. But the wind lends it's own magic to it. We've come late enough in the season that we can watch the petals fall and the Kima Cherries will be ripe..." She looked up at the trees, "Plus the Chakama birds seem to be in good spirits. Listen.." From somewhere up in the canopy a sweet song echoed down, followed by another bird joining in and another. Drusilla smiled up a the song. "Seeing as it's your birthday, you go ahead a pick out the spot to sit and I'll spread the cloth on the ground and get everything settled. Then we can sit here at watch the blizzard of petals or the Chakama birds or we could go pick cherries." An idea struck the Symenestra, "Well, I must pick a few it's only fair to bring some back to Kaya and I doubt Mabda would mind getting some of the cherries either..." Yes, she still thought of them, both were far from dead to her. Maybe she just couldn't accept losing another family, a mother and sister who could actually tolerate her.. No, they had done more than just tolerated her. Drusilla cleared her mind of those thoughts, "Umm, I told the cooks where we were going and why and of course that I was going with you. But I have no idea what they made, it was already wrapped and ready to go when I got there. They promised it would be up to par though and it better..." She looked at Turrin for a moment before turning away, "Do you know the stories about this place? The trees seem to form a perfect circle. It's believed that someone planted them so close together, but no one can remember when they were planted. These trees are the only known trees that grow Kima cherries. It's said that the entire grove is blessed by Cheva as well... The sweet smell lingers all year as do the songs of the chakama birds. While this place may be blessed by Cheva, I can't help but to think that Lady Caiyha had a hand in making this as well."

[Turrin]

Taking the Katinu back, Turrin put it into the saddle bag. Looking over at Drusilla, Turrin couldn't help himself from staring at the beautiful white haired woman standing in the falling cherry blossoms. It was sight the endal wouldn't try to forget for the rest of his life. When Drusilla told him that he could find a spot for them to sit, the half-breed took the blanket from the saddle bags. Walking over to her, the endal walked up behind her as she told her story about the creation of the cherry grove. It was a sweet story of the goddess of love, Cheva created this place with the help of Caiyha, and together the goddess created a place for mortal's to find true happiness. Everything in the grove symbolized a union between two people. It was a sweet story, and the endal couldn't help himself and said a silent prayer to the Cheva, Cheva, I am a man of few words, but can you take pity on me and help me find the words that I want to say...

Setting the blanket on the ground, Turrin walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and gently pull her to him. The endal stayed silent for a chime as he enjoyed the scenery to the fullest with Drusilla in silence as the pink and white petals fell around them. As the myrian held her, the song of the Chakama birds started the sing, and the he started to wonder if the birds were singing for him and Drusilla. The half-breed leaned forward and said softly in her ears, “I think they might be singing for us. Can't you hear happiness in their song, Drusilla...?”

Turrin held her for a couple more chimes as the birds sang around them. Pulling away from her, Turrin gave her a smile and said gentle smile, “I'll find a spot for us while you pick cherries for Kaya and Ma..b..daa...” Turrin figured Mabda was symenestra for mother, so as his mother's native tongue of Nari, he was going to butcher symenestra too. At least he was trying for her. The endal picked up the blanket and the basket of food and walked into the cherry grove. Looking around the cherry grove, Turrin saw a medium size tree with a large canopy. It gave a enough shade to sheltered the pair to sit comfortly from the heat from Syna. Turrin couldn't help and noticed the blossoms are still holding strong from the winds of the late spring day. Walking to the spot, Turrin unfolded the blanket and set the entire blanket on the ground. Setting the basket of food on the blanket, the endal sat on the ground and took off his boots and socks and laid back onto the think cloth. Closing his eyes, the endal couldn't help himself from noticing the blanket smelled like Drusilla too.