Fountainhead (Open)

[Talya]

Timestamp: Summer 23, 515 AV The night was dark; the sky a blanket of deep blue, near black. Her body was cloaked in her simple black dress, which served to help her sink into the shadows, and draw attention away from the sparkling, iridescent nature of her skin. Although still, it could not hide it, nor the stark emerald shade her horns held this time of year, but even so, she felt better here than she had in Ravok. Safer, and able to be open and herself more often than not, as her people didn't seem to mind what she was. The way she shifted, her horns. At least, she had yet to face any sort of ridicule over the shape of her body, its size, or its nature, and for this she was thankful as she set out into the cooling air. A rising of Leth devoid of the winds, and a number of clouds, which allowed his face to shine brightly within the sky, a waning gibbous surrounded by a fair amount of stars, although not as many visible as there might have been if she were still out within the forests of the Wildlands, looking up. In any case, Talya was going to do her best to see what she could from this new vantage point, this place within the skies, and slowly made her way over to the Fountain of Cascading Harmony, where she supposed there would be fewer residences and businesses, and thus fewer lights, which would in turn make it easier to see unhindered up and into the night sky. She wondered what she would be able to see from there, and how much she would be able to recognize, even before she arrived at the location a few minutes later. The sound of the water crashing into the pool at its base, a mixture of raindrops and waterfalls. The figures of Tanroa and Laviku melting into the pillar that supported them, so that only the outlines of their faces remained visible. A blackened shadow- a protrusion of a nose, a lip. Bumps for the curvature of their arms and legs. A large blemish on the face of a carving that seemed otherwise smooth and perfect, as she could not have the keen eye to scrutinize it more closely, even within Leth's pale white light. Such would have to wait until the morrow. In any case, Talya found that she had been right. That the fountain was poorly lit, and would have been one of the better places within the city to go out to look at the stars. So, she seated herself on the edge of the fountain, which still proved a little damp. She felt the spray of the water too, from time to time, along the length of her back, but this she found was easily ignored as a smile spread across her face and she was able to look back up at the sky, at her god, marveling in his beauty, and the beauty of the night. Tal's eyes scoured the skies. The way the silver stars had been arranged that night, seemingly for her eyes alone, as she hadn't noticed anyone else sitting around the fountain when she arrived. But that didn't matter much to her, as it meant she wouldn't be disturbed as she studied everything. A grouping of five stars toward the southern portion of her vision, that when grouped together, formed a ladybug. And then, if her eyes trailed slowly above it, she noticed the four stars that somehow made Libra. She still couldn't see that one... And to the left... was that the eight starred light of the darkness day? A sort of sun-shaped outline, whose name had also, always confused her.

[Ripp]

It had been 23 nights since the half-blood had made his way into the city. Tonight would be the 24th, and yet he still felt rather lost and unwelcome. There were a few faces he didn’t completely dislike. He wouldn’t call any of them friends, but friendly enough that he could respect them. He had a job again, and he’d made a lot of designs, maybe the beaches here had inspired him, or maybe it was that he was experiencing a new culture. Of course though all of this he still felt out of place and scorned.

He’d felt that way for many years in Lhavit, and he didn’t have any hope left that it would change any time soon. Even looking for his father was like a pathetic last ditch effort to find a place he could fit. At the same time though, he felt like, if he was faced with his father and possibly his other family members, he would freeze. He wasn’t sure he could really take being rejected again. His presence might mess up what could be a normal, human family. What did he really know about this man? What did his mother really know about him?

In other words, Ripp wasn’t getting much sleep tonight.

The half-blood sat up in his bed, tossed the covers aside, threw his legs over the edge and got up. He hastily threw on his jacket and pants and left his room. He needed to move, to get rid of this restless energy. He didn’t really care where he was going. His expression read agitation, and anxiety. His eyes penetrated the darkness well, so navigation at night time was much preferred to him. The light hurt his eyes, and he’d taken to closing them a lot during Syna’s reign. Sleep at night felt like wasted time to him. He preferred Leth’s rule, and tonight he couldn’t sleep through it, despite knowing that he could not sleep in the following daylight.

Ripp walked fast and for a long time. He didn’t see too many people, and those he did see he barely looked at. He came to a stop suddenly when he noticed there was a fountain in his path, with a figure just obscured from sight on the opposite side. Curiously he could see a strange glowing green horn.

Oh it must be a Lethafal. Lhavit had a lot of horned creatures. He hadn’t dared look at them there. They just seemed so respected and important. But here it was an oddity to see such a creature. Ripp felt a stab of bitterness as he thought about how different things would be for this female. None of the gossip, no hostility or ridicule. Ripp wanted to walk past her. He’d begun to move so he could see her properly, but that meant she’d probably seen him too. Or not, she was looking up at the stars pretty closely. Ripp shrugged to himself and moved past her to sit down by the fountain a fair distance away from her, meaning to give her her own space. He didn’t want to disturb her but Ripp found himself without the energy or restlessness to keep moving.

[Talya]

The stars absorbed her. Her eyes, the entirety of her field of vision. Her mind, the very depths of her soul. It seemed to Talya as though they called to her, in a way that they likely didn't call to other people. Those who had not fallen from the sky, cast by the hands of their respected God. It seemed as though they were trying to reclaim her; envelop her so deeply with happiness, that she could remember nothing else. Certainly no earthly things. But this did not matter to the Ethaefal, at least not now, with the largely silent nature of the night, as the fountain still flowed softly, and the crickets had begun to come out and sing their lilting, chirping songs. They seemed melancholic tonight, as though they could find no other to dance for them as they played, and this weakened their mood, but still, Talya found this could not get to her as she studied the stars. Another grouping which formed Capricon, and then another with one at its point, and then another two fanning out to either side, with a final star at the bottom, following the same line as the first. She didn't recognize it as an existing constellation, but a part of her saw a leaf if only she laced the lines between them together. Talya smiled softly; happily, her eyes sparkling as much as her skin, and her horns. She was pleased, and albeit, largely distracted, so much so that she did not notice Ripp as he walked by, and sat upon the fountain. She simply continued counting the stars, at first by groupings of constellations, and then by their brightness. And then another two piles for the ones that seemed to be tinted yellow, and the others a more stark white. For no stars she supposed were entirely silver. But it didn't matter, they still shone brilliantly, and were beautiful within her eyes. It was then as she counted thirty-nine yellow-tinted stars that Talya drew her gaze away from them for the first time. As she thought she had picked up on something different- a sound that hadn't been there before. It was that of a large thud, as though someone had dropped something, and it was enough to unnerve her and draw her out of her reverie. At first, she merely blinked a few times, as though clearing away the web of slumber from her eyes after having first awakened. Afterward, she looked around to see if she could find whatever it might have been, but found nothing more than the dark outline of a figure sitting on the other side of the fountain. A short individual by the look of things, with pale skin and what looked to be purple hair. A mimicry from what she could tell, of her own kind if nothing else. "Oh, hello," Talya stammered, unsure as to what else to say. Although something else seemed necessary. "Did you come out here to find your peace?" she asked. "By looking up at the stars?" She paused. "Or did you simply find it hard to sleep?" Talya asked, although she was unsure as to why. "I've been told that happens to humans sometimes." When she was done, she flashed the man a warm smile, and said nothing more as she awaited his answer. OOCI know your pc is a mixed blood, but I doubt Talya would be able to tell in the lack of light around the fountain.

[Lem Free]

Salt flecked wind blew gently across the tops of the building of Zeltiva and across the city. A small silhouette stood atop one of the structures, one side overlooking a large fountain, the other facing the harbor. The shape, closest to the harbor side, shifted restlessly.


The shadow revealed itself to be a young boy, no more than thirteen years of age. The lanky adolescence pulled something out of his pocket and gently set it down on the roof. He looked down at the awkward looking shape.


“Okay Ziggs, just like we talked about. I’m going to practice my handstands, but you gotta promise not to disappear again, alright? Proooomise?”


The veiled chameleon blinked lazily. Lem Free nodded approvingly, leaning down to pat the lizard’s head fondly. He straightened and faced the direction of the fountain. The roof stretched out in front of him for about ten feet before dropping off down below. Plenty of room to practice.


Flexing his fingers, Lem took a step and sprang forward, fingerless gloved hands splayed out in front of him as they touched the wood. He kicked his feet up into the air, flexing his core and arms as they bore the weight of his scrawny body. A grunt escaped his lips as he fought for balance, his form swaying.


Lem hastily tried "walking" forward to keep from falling. He pushed off one hand and thrust it forward, catching himself on it before repeating the same thing with his other hand. He only made it about three “steps” before his center of gravity betrayed him and he tumbled to the ground. A groan slipped out as he sprawled out on the rough surface.


The boy craned his neck backwards to look at Ziggs.


“I think I nailed it. First try too.”


The chameleon looked unimpressed.

Lem rolled over onto his stomach and popped back up, dusting himself off. He prepared to try it again but was suddenly distracted as a soft voice reached his ears. The youth’s head whipped around towards the sound that seemed to come from down below near the fountain.


He tiptoed to the edge of the roof and lay down on his stomach before peeking over the lip.


He squinted confused, trying to figure out what he was looking at.


Water sprayed out from the concrete artwork, that much was obvious. But two glowing objects just beside the pool of water caught the boy’s attention and he stared at them riveted. He didn’t know what they were but they sure were pretty.


Lem looked back at his new pet and gestured wildly for him to come over.


“Ziggs! Ziiiiiiggs! Get over here! I found something totally way cool! Huuuuuuurry! They are GLOWING!”


The excited youth whispered loudly. The veiled chameleon, as usual, seemed unfazed. Lem rolled his eyes exasperated and huffed. He quickly crawled back towards the animal and snatched him up, placing him on his shoulder before crawling back towards the fountain.


Lem stared down back down wide eyed and realized with a start that the glowing objects were attached to something. It looked like a person.


Lem gaped.


“Do you see that Ziggs?? Oh my gosh! That's amazing! I think that’s a person!”


NoteHope you guys don't mind me jumping in!

[Ripp]

Ripp knew she’d heard him sit down. Maybe he’d done it a bit to loudly and startled her. He looked at her apologetically forgetting that she couldn’t see him as clearly as he saw her and so he said “Ah I’m sorry if I disturbed you.” She greeted him, kind of awkwardly. She sounded a little nervous, which again was probably his fault. She recovered from her surprise quickly though and began a conversation. Did he come out here to find peace? Maybe peace from the whirlwind always going on in his head was what he seeked but he wasn’t sure exactly why he had stopped to look up at the stars. He looked up at them now. All he saw was what he’d always seen. Just the same flecks of light in the sky. They’d always been beautiful but never had they filled him with any sort of warmpth.

The young lady’s next question threw him a little. It wasn’t the question itself but the fact that she’d called him human. He imidiatly thought to correct her “Oh I’m…” He faded off wondering why he’d even begun the sentence. This was an opportunity to be someone else of a night. Someone normal, who fit in. He smiled to himself “I’m not to sure why I’m here specifically. But sleep eluded me tonight, yes.” He said politely. There was no reason to be closed off right now. “I was nocturnal at one stage living where I was, sometimes I still find this new sleeping schedule hard to adjust to. Are you from Zeltiva?” He wondered when she’d fallen. She didn’t seem very old to him somehow, though there was no real way to tell. It was a feeling ore than anything. While he’d never had much of a conversation with an Ethaefal before, Kim had told him a lot about them. “I’m Ripp, nice to meet you.” He said with a polite smile.

Suddenly something caught his eye. He squinted and in the distance he though he could see a figure. He could hear him as well. The boy was a loudmouth, conversing with someone named Ziggs who he couldn’t see. As he looked he began to make out the boys features. Was he trying to do a handstand… on a building? Ripp watched as the boy swayed, tried to keep his balance, and then fell, very nearly going over the edge of the building which was closer than he probably thought. Ripp though about calling out. He was probably a little bit more obscured from the boys vision, but even if he wasn’t, all he was focused on was the Ethaefal sitting next to him. Ripp snickered to himself “Oi, little spy, why don’t you come on down here before you hurt yourself!” He called to Lem, hopping to surprise him if he hadn’t seen Ripp yet.

[Talya]

Talya offered the mixed blood a soft smile. "I understand well enough, for no earthly need finds an Ethaefal in their celestial form," she said softly. "No want for food, nor drink. No need for slumber." She paused, "although, perhaps a part of us longs for it, even though those of Leth long for the times we can look up at him, as he perhaps, looks down on us." Her smile widened for a second, and then faltered as she looked down at her hands. "This perhaps, is foreign to you. For all of your kind slumbers when the lights go out. All of you find peace in dreams, or even nightmares, while we find nothing more than the sky's blanket staring back down at us." She wasn't bitter about it per se, such would be apparent, just, disappointed maybe. As though she knew she were doing something wrong, and simply could not help it, and as such, grew to be even more frustrated because she knew everything about it was simply, hopeless. "There's an emptiness, to often having no one else around, no one else awake to keep you company." Outside of Leth, if such could be said, considering how he never bothers to talk back to us. To me... There was a soft thud, which seemed rather distant. She took her head as she ignored the noise a moment. "Talya," she said a second later, as she gave in and she took a look around, searching for the source, but finding nothing until Ripp pointed the boy out. Her eyes squinted then, narrowing until they were little more than slits tracing the outline of his form. Its short stature, the wispy bits around his head, which must have been the muss of his hair. She concentrated on this, until the mist was given rise, and looked onto the aura that surrounded him, just to be sure that nothing out of the ordinary were going on. Old habits dying hard, the ways of Ravok. Within an instant, her pupils had dilated, as her chest began to rise a little more frequently as she expended energy to use her magic. The aura she found surrounding the boy was a vibrant one, a bright yellow in tone, with an occasional red and orange fleck dotting the portions closest to his body, making him seem like a little ball of fire born onto the earth. Interestingly, she found, the aura smelled faintly of dirt, as though he was prone to getting dirty, which made sense she supposed, given the way she read his aura as suggesting he was filled with energy. Someone playful, and well, childish because he was a child. Satisfied, Talya let the aura fall. She knew the boy wasn't here to spy, as far as she was concerned, at least, not in a more traditional malicious sense. Perhaps to gape, for maybe he hadn't seen one of her kind before. But that was just a guess, not something she had gleaned from reading his aura. In any case, she was happy to find that she felt he wouldn't do her any harm, or Ripp, although that didn't matter anywhere near as much. It wasn't as though they were friends after all, and that he meant anything to her in the least. So in the end, she simply waved him down, lending the mixed blood her support, although she said nothing about it, as Ripp had. Leaving her then, only to wait, as the others made their move. OOCNot at all. Sorry guys by the way, for holding this up. I post very, very slowly.