.
15th of Spring, 517AV.
The Travertine Hotsprings.
.
It was cold, Cyphrus' soil still reluctant to loose its winter's chill this early in spring, and Haya clutched her cloak a little tighter around her shoulders. She had woken up before the birds and the night was quiet and clear, stars bright overhead. Her cane had echoed on the many rock-carved stairs and roads of Riverfall as she patiently climbed her way up to the plains, each hollow tap of it's wooden end nostalgic in the way it bounced off stone tiles and chiseled rock and back into her ears. She missed Wind Reach; its hallways, its heat, the rowdyness and spirit of her people. Riverfall had been kind to her, Haya knew -she was very gratefull for it. But despite its many tiers and pathways, its carved halls and its proximity to the matter of earth, this city of solemn blue giants never quite managed to feel like home. Its rock was marked by moisture, rather than volcanic heat, and Zulrav's winds -though blowing just as strong- smelled different here; salty, born from the sea rather than clear heights. And when Haya would stand atop the city, rather than feeling closer, the outstretched plains of Cyphrus would make the sky appear even further away.
Her current view though, was gorgeous. She had arrived at her intended destination and for a moment Haya remained standing, simply taking in the sight of the Travertine Hotspring its many terraces; dark water pooling and reflecting the stars above. She had chosen the current hour and place with careful reasoning. She needed to meditate and did not want to be disturbed. The bar she had set for herself was high.
Haya lost her clothes and cane to a carved out bench and started testing the waters one by one with patience, dipping in a foot, a hand, moving between terraces carefully. Too hot; move lower. Too cold; rise a few steps. Eventually she found what she was looking for and in went one leg, the other joining soon, and her whole body sinking in a few moments later as she lowered herself off the terrace's stone ledge with her arms. Haya groaned in simple pleasure as the water engulfed her skin, its warmth and softness soothing. She went under, wetting her curls and indulging herself for a few long moments with the sensations.
She had Rhavok to thank for her knowledge of this place, especially corncerning its abandonment around this hour. Haya could remember how he took her here with hopes that the heat of the water would be enough to ease her frame, would be enough to make her body open up to him willingly. It wasn't. But Rhavok's touch was gentle and his hands were patient, and when he did move into her, Haya was grateful to have a view of the clear sky above the curve of his shoulder. To have his hot breath contrasted with the silent chill of night.
Haya pushed her hair back and shook her head to loose the memory. She came with a purpose, no use getting distracted by a trip down to memory lane. She stretched herself out in the middle of her small pool, alowing the minerals in the water to help keep her body afloat. It was easier like this, less gravity pulling at her limbs to tie her down to earth. The temperature of the water was helpfull too, chosen for holding a heat similar to her body's core; minimal sensations to remind her of the physical limits of her form. Nothing to delineate her from her surroundings. Haya closed her eyes, focused her breathing and started her meditation.
.
15th of Spring, 517AV.
The Travertine Hotsprings.
.
It was cold, Cyphrus' soil still reluctant to loose its winter's chill this early in spring, and Haya clutched her cloak a little tighter around her shoulders. She had woken up before the birds and the night was quiet and clear, stars bright overhead. Her cane had echoed on the many rock-carved stairs and roads of Riverfall as she patiently climbed her way up to the plains, each hollow tap of it's wooden end nostalgic in the way it bounced off stone tiles and chiseled rock and back into her ears. She missed Wind Reach; its hallways, its heat, the rowdyness and spirit of her people. Riverfall had been kind to her, Haya knew -she was very gratefull for it. But despite its many tiers and pathways, its carved halls and its proximity to the matter of earth, this city of solemn blue giants never quite managed to feel like home. Its rock was marked by moisture, rather than volcanic heat, and Zulrav's winds -though blowing just as strong- smelled different here; salty, born from the sea rather than clear heights. And when Haya would stand atop the city, rather than feeling closer, the outstretched plains of Cyphrus would make the sky appear even further away.
Her current view though, was gorgeous. She had arrived at her intended destination and for a moment Haya remained standing, simply taking in the sight of the Travertine Hotspring its many terraces; dark water pooling and reflecting the stars above. She had chosen the current hour and place with careful reasoning. She needed to meditate and did not want to be disturbed. The bar she had set for herself was high.
Haya lost her clothes and cane to a carved out bench and started testing the waters one by one with patience, dipping in a foot, a hand, moving between terraces carefully. Too hot; move lower. Too cold; rise a few steps. Eventually she found what she was looking for and in went one leg, the other joining soon, and her whole body sinking in a few moments later as she lowered herself off the terrace's stone ledge with her arms. Haya groaned in simple pleasure as the water engulfed her skin, its warmth and softness soothing. She went under, wetting her curls and indulging herself for a few long moments with the sensations.
She had Rhavok to thank for her knowledge of this place, especially corncerning its abandonment around this hour. Haya could remember how he took her here with hopes that the heat of the water would be enough to ease her frame, would be enough to make her body open up to him willingly. It wasn't. But Rhavok's touch was gentle and his hands were patient, and when he did move into her, Haya was grateful to have a view of the clear sky above the curve of his shoulder. To have his hot breath contrasted with the silent chill of night.
Haya pushed her hair back and shook her head to loose the memory. She came with a purpose, no use getting distracted by a trip down to memory lane. She stretched herself out in the middle of her small pool, alowing the minerals in the water to help keep her body afloat. It was easier like this, less gravity pulling at her limbs to tie her down to earth. The temperature of the water was helpfull too, chosen for holding a heat similar to her body's core; minimal sensations to remind her of the physical limits of her form. Nothing to delineate her from her surroundings. Haya closed her eyes, focused her breathing and started her meditation.
.
