Solo Take Two

[Asterope]

30th of summer, 520 AV

The Reading Room was everything opposite to Sunberth's library, and Aster loved it. Organized, clean, overflowing with books and full of people; a few members of the Outpost's guards, the Keiss, patrolled around. There were people sitting quietly on couches, noses tucked into books or scrolls, and others sitting at dimly but comfortably lit desks, copying words onto new scraps of paper and parchment.

Bits of conversation drifted by, but all spoken at a respectful murmur so as not to disturb other readers and those who were focused intently on their writings. As had become habit now, Aster was doing her best to seek out what information she could on her newest mortal form. It had only just occurred to her that perhaps the Outpost had a library of its own, which had lead her to the Reading Room after some asking around.

She wasn't sure what she'd expected; something nicer than Sunberth's library, certainly, but it still left her standing in surprise at the entrance. Walking further into the expansive room, Aster stared around in wonder at the stacks and stacks of books, scrolls, and journals. Already overwhelmed and not sure where to start, she stopped near one of the patrolling Keiss, catching the man's attention. "Sorry," Aster spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm looking for books on..." she paused then for a moment. What sort of book was she looking for? She'd found what she needed out of pure luck last time, the journal that had described her race.

Perhaps she needed to focus on those sorts of books? Things seemed marginally more organized here. So... "Biology," Aster finished, after a pause. "Any books on biology." The man nodded, pointing her in a direction towards some stacks of books.

"That section should have what you want," he replied back in a quiet voice. Aster smiled and thanked him. "Just remember, you can't take any books out, and if you want to copy anything down, you need to offer the Room a book in exchange."

That would explain how the stacks were so plentiful, then. It made sense in the long run; knowledge in exchange for knowledge. Unfortunately, Aster didn't have anything written to offer, so whatever she found today she would have to settle for reading. It hadn't been an issue last time, so hopefully it wouldn't be this time, either. Still, perhaps next time she came by she should bring at least a few sheets of paper with some medical or herbal knowledge written down.

Making her way over to the stacks that the man had indicated, Aster began to sort through them. Unsurprisingly, the biology texts were mixed in with things on medicine and herbalism, but for once that wasn't what she was looking for. Aster picked up a leather journal, flipping it open. 'A Study of Anatomy of Humans'. While interesting, it wasn't what she was looking for. Satisfying her curiosity by flipping through a few pages of rough sketches of bone structures, Aster then shut the book and put it back, continuing her search.

'Experiences With Different Human Subraces' another book was titled; that might be more of use. Aster tucked the book under her arm and kept searching. She ended up with a small handful of four books and a scroll, and deciding they would do for the time being, she made her way over to the couches to begin flipping through the books.

[Asterope]

She started with the scroll, which ended up being useless to her. It discussed a race called the Akvatari, which Aster had never heard of, hence why she had taken the scroll; but it did little to describe them, calling them beings of sea and air and then discussing their artistic talents. Setting the scroll aside, she began to read through the actual books that she had carried over to the couch with her, tucking her legs beneath her as she began reading.

She started with the book on the human subraces. It described a woman's adventures and travels across Mizahar, and her encounters with various human subcultures and subraces; it wasn't particularly biologically in-depth, but it did describe some physical differences. The author talked about her time in Riverfall and experiences with trading with the Drykas and their horses and intricate tattoos, as well as meeting Benshira near the Eyktol border. Impatiently, Aster flipped through these pages; she already knew about Drykas and Benshira, and the new mortal form, which she was currently wearing, was certainly neither of those.

The author talked about the fiery redheads that were Inarta, and Aster skipped those pages too. Then came discussion about the Vantha. The book must have been older, because it spoke fondly of the northern people; all Aster really knew about them was that they were hunted due to the lack of winter. She'd never met or seen one. The talk of shimmering, rainbow-touched hair made her nervous; could she be a Vantha, with her dusty rose and grey hair? But nobody had attacked her yet, and the next sentence discussed the admiration of a Vantha's changing eyes, which put her anxiety to rest.

Then there were the Svefra, the blue-eyed wanderers of the sea. Aster flipped through the rest of the book, but nothing jumped out at her as being particularly relevant to her own physical form, so she shut the book with a quiet thud and a sigh, setting it aside with the scroll. Onto the next book.

This one discussed the dangerous races of Mizahar. Skimming the pages, Aster saw the words 'Zith', 'Symenestra', and 'Dhani'. She didn't think she was any of those; she had met a Symenestra and more than one Dhani. That book went to the side as well, leaving her with the last one she'd picked out.

There was no title, but the opening paragraph discussed Kelvics. Aster almost tossed the book aside as well; her form last season had been an okomo Kelvic, identified immediately by Madeira, and Aster trusted her well enough on that given she had an okomo Kelvic son. What were the chances she was a Kelvic yet again? But she paused, thinking it over. Kelvics could be animals, and from what little she had gathered from her conversation with Madeira and her time at the KRI, what animal a Kelvic was had influence on their physical human form. She hadn't been able to shift forms like a normal Kelvic, so she couldn't try that method, but perhaps she was simply another type of animal?

[Asterope]

It would still be a strange coincidence. But her eyes and hair were an oddity, strangely coloured as they were. Perhaps the book was worth a quick look-through; it couldn't hurt. It was slightly more scientific and less personal than the other books had been, discussing the physical biology of Kelvics in their human form. Largely identical to normal humans except for whatever traits they carried over from their animal forms; often in the form of strangely coloured hair, odd eyes, or fangs and claws.

Well, she couldn't tell if she had claws, with her own magical fake nails attached to her fingertips. Poking a finger in her mouth to press at her teeth quickly, ignoring any strange sideways glances, she confirmed that she did not in fact have fangs.

But she certainly had oddly coloured hair and eyes. So...was she a Kelvic again? Her pupils were round, which crossed being an okomo again off the list, despite similarly pink hair. So, an animal that wasn't an okomo, and that didn't have fangs, but presumably had some sort of pink colouration. How was she supposed to narrow that down? She hadn't noticed anything else particularly strange about her body. Frowning to herself, Aster kept reading.

Animal forms will vary wildly, the book read, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes, forcing herself to continue. However, in today's day and age, they only exist in the form of mammals and birds. It remains to be seen to me if ever there were ancient Kelvics, the first of their kind, who expanded beyond these restrictions.

Well, perhaps that was slightly helpful after all. It was still a daunting and expansive list, but somewhat less so. Aster wondered if anyone had ever bothered to compile a comprehensive list of pink animals. That would certainly help her out.

The rest of the book wasn't as helpful as Aster skimmed it over, though one part in particular did catch her interest. A bondmate is every Kelvic's greatest desire in life. It is their one true purpose and the reason for their existence. Every Kelvic has the urge to seek out one true companion to spend their life with and to serve faithfully as a companion and partner; there is no closer relationship than a Kelvic and their bondmate, whether romantic or not.

A bondmate? Reason for existence? The author was discussing things slightly beyond Aster's understanding, but she understood the basic premise. Could it really be true, though? She imagined living her life with her greatest goal being to find a companion to spend her life with, but found she simply couldn't.

She thought about family and friends often enough, longed for human connection; but to make it her one true goal? Aster had never considered such strong relationships, nor romance, and it was odd to try and imagine them as her biggest drive in life. She could hardly picture a whole race being driven by such a thing.

[Asterope]

Then again, she had never actually met a Kelvic that she knew of, and the forms she took on were only echoes of what seemed to be lives long past. Perhaps it was fulfilling and wonderful and she was the one who was missing out. Now there was a perplexing thought.

It raised further questions, too; if she was a Kelvic, had the Kelvic she'd been had a bondmate? Not for the first time, Aster wished that she actually had access to her past memories. Oh, how much easier it would make this search for answers.

She wished she did know a Kelvic; she wanted to ask about what it was like, but then again, was that insensitive? Perhaps it was for the best she didn't know one she could pester with such questions. She flipped back through the book, rereading the section on Kelvic human forms.

She was almost positive she didn't have any strange or unique abilities; although, the more she thought about it, the more she remembered the aching headache she'd had the first time she had been in her current mortal form. Everything had seemed so much brighter for some reason, colours jumping out at her somewhat strangely. She'd grown accustomed to it quickly enough, not thinking much of it aside from it being a strange side effect of a stranger phenomena, but...perhaps it actually had something to do with her body. Was her eyesight better?

Raising her head from the book, Aster squinted slightly as she peered around the room. She didn't notice anything particularly different; nothing was fuzzier than normal, nor did anything particularly jump out at her. Though perhaps the colours were slightly more vibrant and nuanced...or maybe she was just imagining it. She'd need to pay attention when she shifted again come morning to see if anything actually changed or not. For the time being, she could only take her best guess.

There was still more research she could do, likely more that she should do, but she had enough to think about for the time being. A Kelvic again, or at least it seemed like it so far; what were the chances? Shaking her head slightly, Aster gathered her books back up and walked back over to the stack that she'd taken them from to put them away.

She gave a small nod and brief smile to the Keiss man who had helped her as she left, and he nodded back as Aster left the Reading Room, stepping back out into the Outpost. The streets were mostly quiet given the late hour, and Aster took her time walking. A Kelvic. An animal with red eyes and pink colouring, but no fangs. Maybe claws. How was she ever supposed to figure it out?

She could cross off a whole host of common animals. Cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, deer...but then, what if there existed strange and exotic breeds that she was simply unaware of? Aster frowned to herself, kicking a pebble and watching it skitter down the stone path ahead of her. It was going to be impossible to narrow the list down unless she could figure out more information about what type of animal her Kelvic form might be, but she had no idea how to do that. Still, she supposed it was a start; it was at least more information than she'd had before.

Making her way back home, Aster greeted Cressida, who was snoozing on her pillow, gently picking the snake up and stroking a finger over her head. The little winged serpent flicked her tongue out lazily, curling up sleepily in Aster's palm. "I don't suppose you could help," Aster said to her, and Cressida regarded her with a bright pink-red eye lazily. "I didn't think so." Aster kicked her boots off, crawling into bed and setting Cressida down on her chest as she lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

Could Kihala maybe know? She was the goddess of life, after all. Surely she knew about all sorts of animals and creatures. Aster would have to ask her tomorrow, to see if the statue couldn't help at the very least narrow her search.