Spring 91, 516 AV - Great Harbor
Rumors had been flying for nearly a dozen days now. A grand adventure, the departure of a magnificent ship, an epic journey around the entirety of Cyphrus and Eyktol combined. Well, perhaps it was a little exaggerated, but when Sayana had stopped in at the Broken Casket a few days ago to pick up the local gossip and rumors, it had been all the rage.
She had known that a certain bald headed friend of hers was preparing to set sail, though she hadn’t realized quite the extent of the voyage. If this was indeed his. And it had only taken a couple of questions to determine that the ship was to sail on the 91st of Spring.
Perhaps it was that she had enjoyed her one and only meeting with Shimoje, or that she was curious as to whether this was indeed his ship, or merely that she wanted to keep up with the daily news within Syliras, but when the 91st came Sayana made her way to the Great Harbor.
There was already a crowd forming as she breathed in the salty air and watched as the waves crashed against the shoreline. Gulls could be heard calling from above and there was the bustle of people saying their goodbyes and wishing the sailors luck and a safe travel. Some of the sailors were hauling various supplies and luggage onboard the ship that rocked upon the sea.
Sayana wore her black robe so as to obscure her mid and low arms, however she did not try to hide her face with the hood. Instead it was down and her face was only somewhat covered by her bushy brown hair. Yet it did not necessarily make it easier for her to be spotted. She made a conscious effort to blend in with the babbling crowd. Her movements were carefree, she bobbed her head excitedly, and she blended her movements with those of the surrounding people so that she would neither appear to be moving faster than the others nor slower. More importantly, her face was usually cast down or away from the ship, and similarly the rest of her body seemed to be turned away. Her short stature aided her and where there were crates piled high around the harbor, she used them to further keep out of sight from the ship itself.
It took about fifteen chimes to carefully weave her way through till she got close enough to see the people standing on or near the gangplank of the ship. She couldn’t help but smile when she caught sight of the distinct bald head covered with tattoos. However, she was startled when another man swiftly approached the ship with curly brown hair. She knew him… but from where? Ahh… The man who had requested training at the Aylasa Caves. The squire, more specifically.
She vanished into the crowd once more until she was able to find a more hidden place to stand. In this case, behind a large horse drawn cart which had clearly been used to bring some last minute supplies to the docks. From her vantage point, she could see Shimoje and his friends but it would take a sharp and curious eye to notice her, especially with all the excitement of the journey ahead.
She had come all this way, and yet she was sure in her heart that they were only meant to have met the one time. Share one night of passion. Still, she wondered if she could reach out to him while remaining effectively out of sight. Sayana immediately went to hypnotism, yet he was a good distance away. Plus, to merely invoke feelings wouldn’t have the same personal touch she was going for. What if… She recalled their first kiss, imagining it vividly and smiling at the feelings it brought. Could she do more than just produce emotions? If she could make someone feel happy, could she also make them feel warm, or feel the soft caress of lips, or even see a lover’s gaze?
Only recently had someone pointed out that she may not be as skilled in hypnotism as she thought. That perhaps there was more to it. More ways to influence the mind or different techniques. Even as she rested her arms upon the cart she stood behind, she had the urge to try something new with her magic. Instead of just sending emotions, to send vivid feelings and sensations. Starting with a kiss.
Sayana spent several moments gathering her thoughts and slowly dismissing them one by one until the babble of the crowd was left forgotten and meaningless. She closed her eyes and focused on that single memory, the soft touch of lips, deepening into something stronger and more intense. Instead of Shimoje’s eyes, she pictured her own brown ones and conjured the sensation of a hand on the back of one’s head. Even as she created the vivid but brief imagery, she wrapped it in her djed, pulling at her core and harnessing her magic.
At last she opened her eyes and gazed at her target, Shimoje. With a kiss to her hand, Sayana blew softly in his direction then released the magic to form the ‘flash’ inside his mind.
“Safe travels Shimoje Arawn.” Sayana whispered softly.
For a tick or two she watched to see if it had worked and whether the man had a change in expression or reaction. But then she would be gone. Only long after she disappeared from the harbor would she notice the stain of blood upon the palm of her hand, and notice the faint taste of iron from overgiving her magic.
OOCHello, just making the one post here to bid Shimoje farewell. I don't anticipate any interaction, hence the single post.Credit: Shimoje