[flashback] A day in the snow, meditating (solo)

[Fela Meason]

50th day of Summer, 510 Fela grasped Salida's hand and guided her through the snow drifts away from the Icewall gates. The soft noises of the Polar bears guarding the entrance were the only noise in this bleak and glacial landscape. The wind had died down and the snow was just a dusting on their cloaks now. One looking around would never know that summer was in full swing on the rest of the mainland. Snow buried every discernible landmark and left the land flat and desolate. Behind them stood the only sign of civilization, and they were leaving it behind to brave the wilds for the day. Maybe not the most dangerous excursion, it wasn't a month long trek into the unknown. Just a sight seeing trip for the purpose of connecting with nature, but even this short trip could be fatal if they did not keep their wits about them. A lone patch of trees stood fighting the elements about 600 yards away. Fela guided Salida towards the trees keeping an arm protectively around her and scanning the horizon for potential danger. Where are we now Fela, describe it to me. Salida clutched her hand, trembling. Fela kept one arm around her shoulders and with the other she unclasped her cloak and wrapped it around Salida. A gust kicked up and slapped against Fela's bare arms. She fought the shivers attempting to overtake her and looked around at the depressing terrain. She knew she was Salida's eyes and could not let her down with morose words. It's beautiful love, the sun is sparkling off the drifts. Like diamonds and precious gems embedded in the earth. The trees, we're almost there, they are standing like proud soldiers against the white backdrop. Fela smiled and placed a soft kiss on Salida's cheek. They reached the trees, Fela left Salida clutching to a tree and began to work at clearing away snow. The cold numbed her hands, she worked as quickly as she could only occasionally stopping to form a small fire ball for heat. Finished she stepped back and took in the patch she had cleared. It was only about four feet by four feet and would be a tight fit for both of them. She glanced at her hands and noted the small blisters forming on her palms where a few fireballs had gone awry. It was time for what they came to do. Fela grabbed Salida by her hand and led her to the patch of frozen dirt that Fela had unearthed. Both of them sat down and closed their eyes. A quick muttered prayer to Leth and Fela began leading them through a guided meditation. There is nothing but white all around us. Soothing white light surrounding and penetrating down through us and back into the earth. The women sat in silence letting the image fill their mind and soothe their numb limbs and stinging flesh. The pain started to fade away and a calm began to wash over them. Now, color is manifesting and a mist is settling on the ground. Don't force the image, just let it come. Start to feel the ground below you, smell the dirt still wet from the recent rain. Soon the forest will show itself to you. Shapes soon started forming in their minds, large sturdy oaks and lithe maple saplings. Fela could feel the sun on her skin at this point and had forgotten all about their current landscape. The trees were coming alive and the sounds of birds and a bubbling brook were music to their ears. The last wildlife they had seen were the Kelvics in Avanthal, which did not really count as wildlife. A figure began to emerge from the mist, tall and slender. Fela made her way towards the figure in the mist making her careful and light through the underbrush of the forest floor. The closer she crept towards the form the further it was. A low growl pulled Fela's attention to the left and another figure materialized. Her cat, the large dark Jaguar crept out of the fog. It stalked towards her with a face of indifference. Fela paused and met the beasts stare with one of her own devoid of all emotion and all feeling. The creature paused and sat back on it's haunches moving it's attention to the thick underbrush which was now all around them. The mist was pulling back and revealing more of the forest and it's occupants. Fela could sense the unease of her inner cat and could hear it's heart racing. It leapt to it's feet and dashed off into the foliage. Fela watched it disappear into the darkness and could sense the fog approaching again. A voice calling to her started to pull her out of her vision. Fela, where are you Fela? Salida was calling her name softly and reaching around. Fela snapped out of her meditative state and engulfed the trembling woman in her arms. It's ok love, I'm still here. Come back to me. Follow my voice. Fela stroked her silvery blonde hair and mumbled sweet nothings in her ear. Eventually Salida calmed down and smiled up at the Kelvic. She was a beautiful girl with the palest hair and eyes Fela had ever seen on any human. Mastering things had always come easy for Salida, but meditation seemed to be something she could not seem to understand. Oh well, we will work at it. Fela thought to herself. Come on, let's get out of here. She reached out and helped Salida to her feet and started making their way out of the trees. The sun was starting to set and if Salida had not pulled them back they may have frozen to death long before Fela had realized what was happening to their bodies. There was still much she had to learn herself. It was a long trek back to the gates, longer than it seemed to get to the trees. The cold had numbed their legs causing them to stumble and loose their footing. After the two women had almost given up hope the shimmering gates and quiet sounds of the city beyond reached their senses. With new found hope they shoved on and managed to make it to the steps. Fela smiled timidly up at the guard before passing out and falling to the ground.

[Cheshire]

. Character: Fela Meason Experience: Poetry +1, Meditation +1 Lore: Leading the Blind, Praying to Leth Additional Note: Very nice thread! It was very poetic. You are going to need to get Salida approved as a traveling NPC though. You would need to write her up, similar to how you wrote up your own PC, give her 30 XP in skills (no racial bonus), and submit it to the Help Desk. Once there, the Founders will approve or deny her. If approved, she will be added to your Storyteller Secrets thread. PM me with concerns.