[Flashback] Sunlight on the Snow

[Renaria]

73rd Day of Spring, 511AV Renaria was prowling round and round a small outcrop of rocks, just outside of the Icewall Gates. She was restless, which was a rare occurrence now that she was comfortable with entering the city. She was still unsure of city life; the hustle and bustle of a busy street still did well in boosting her nerves. She paused in her pacing and looked at the snow around her. She had walked a deep impression into it; her individual paw-prints were indistinguishable now, they all blurred into one track. She roughly shook her head and moved onto one of the rocks, shifting in a swirl of light as she did so. She reached for her pack, rifled through and quickly pulled on her tunic and pants, leaving her cloak for now. She was a very different person to the one who had approached Avanthal just a season ago. To say that Kelvic's grew quickly was an understatement. The girl now seated on the rock appeared to be around 17 years old, long silvery-blonde hair falling to her waist. She pulled her knees up and hugged them to her chest, absently wondering where Atyvn was. She hadn't seen him for a couple of days, and she missed her friend.

[Atyvn]

Atyvn kept turning the small piece of ivory in his hands. He had bought a very small block, about the size of his palm, a few days before with the intent on making something. But he hadn't picked up a chisel since his father passed and he wasn't very good at in the first place. It was something his father showed him a few times but nothing further than telling him how to make his marks. But even then, he knew practically nothing on the subject. Skyglow never expected that much of him, but he knew they were particularly proud of him. But he truly didn't care too much for approval in that area. He knew what he was good at and that was hunting and swordsmanship. Though, that didn't keep his underlying wants nagging at him to learn more of his one of his hold's crafts. Another chip flicked off and he cursed under his breath. Ivory was such a beautiful material and what he was doing to it actually hurt a little. Never-the-less, he kept going. A small, snowflake-looking piece of ivory sat in his hands. The corners were jutting this way and that and it was nowhere near symmetrical. He didn't bother drilling into it to make that "snowflake look", but just made slight depressions the best he could. Snowflakes are unique. he thought to reassure himself. This one is just extra unique... His attention to detail was driving him crazy because he knew he couldn't do what he wanted, but he wanted to try anyway. A slight crack went through the side and he almost threw his tool, but remembering it was ok and that the tool was borrowed, he calmed down. "Just a small crack...” he said softly, even though it almost was much worse. The finished product was roughly the size of a large coin and fit into his palm nicely now. He sighed and looked at the window with wandering thoughts. It had been almost a full season since he found that kelvic girl. He'd rather have her in Avanthal with him in the hold, but he understood when she preferred the outside. The only thing he could think of was her pale grey eyes, which were embedded in his memory. He was watching her start to grow almost to his equivalent age and it intrigued him. That was not all her changing look did to his thoughts, but he shoved those aside whenever they appeared. They never listened to him. Then it finally hit him. He had been working on this pendant for almost three days now, thinking about Renaria because he was making it for her, but he hadn't once left to go see her. I... am a complete idiot! he thought and slipped the string he had designated for the task through a small hole and rushed out the door with it in hand. He cursed himself now and again, hurriedly making his way towards the gates to the city. Hope she isn't mad... he thought and kept his eyes up. The walls of ice were always something he admired, he never knew quite the reason but he did. After a quick word and nod, he made his way out of the gate and glanced about the snow hoping to see her waiting. Negative worries appeared here and there but they were overrun with anxiousness.

[Renaria]

The kelvic girl puffed her breath into the air and it hung before in a small fog for a few moments before dissipating. It was a cold enough morning and the air from her lungs was warm. A small smile spread over her face as she watched it. She was quite content with finding happiness in the simpler things, things others would usually overlook. She repeated the action, and this time her eyes fell on the two guards at the Icewall Gates. No, not the guards. The bears. Renaria found herself watching one of the Dire Polar Bears, standing diligently with the city guard. She knew it was a kelvic, and from the amount of times she had passed them by, they probably knew she was one too. Kelvics could sense these things, most of the time anyway. Her mind wandered further, her thoughts now becoming consumed by Morwen. The Queen of Avanthal. Renaria held her in deep respect, which was unusual for a Kelvic, but not unheard of. Even more unusual was the girl's want of acceptance from the Goddess. She would give almost anything to be gifted by the Goddess of Winter. Her eyes fell back onto the bears again and she sighed, knowing full well that most, if not all of them were blessed. Movement near the guards caught her eye, and she saw a figure move through the city gates. She instantly recognized him from the way he walked. Atyvn was finally coming to see her. Of course, she could just as easily have gone to see him, but she figured he was working. That, and the fact that she was still getting used to the city life. She raised her arm and waved it above her head, hoping he could see her. Her eyesight was better than his, but the morning was clear, so her chances were good.

[Atyvn]

A flicker of movement caught his eye and he immediately assumed it was her. He started towards her, a smile growing as more and more detail he could see of the girl. He didn't quite understand why she always waited so far away from the gates, but he always settled the matter by reasoning that she just wasn't used to the city yet. He hid the necklace in the palm of his hand so she didn't get a glimpse of her surprise until he would be able to give it to her. As he neared Renaria, he waved with his free hand and a warm smile replaced the old one. The young kelvic had grown on him in the past season; he had to admit that much to himself. He made this necklace for her as a way to show how much he cared. Well when it's put like that... makes it seem as if I like her. he thought. He didn't like her like that... or did he? He cursed himself for arguing with himself, he was trying to stop doing that. "Hey, little one." he greeted Renaria with the nickname that he couldn't seem to break. He had been saying that ever since it was obvious they would be friends, but he hadn't the slightest clue on why his thoughts insisted on calling her that. OOCThe wording... feels weird to me for some reason.

[Renaria]

She sighed with relief when she saw him turn in her direction. She wasn't entirely sure why she was relieved though; perhaps it was just because she was comfortable. She made a mental note that next time she saw him, she would head into the city to find him, rather than letting him trudge all the way out here where the snow was never cleared. She let go of her legs and shifted into a normal seated position as he neared the rocks. A smile would it's way over her mouth as Atyvn returned her wave. Since she had turned up in Avanthal a season ago, she had come to view him as her closest friend. Initially she had viewed him with wonder. He lived here with the snow all year round, and to her younger self it was exciting. Now that she was older, she appreciated his companionship in an entirely different way. At his greeting she grinned and rolled her eyes. Atyvn had been calling her "little one" since the day they had met, and it seemed to be stuck, no matter how many times she had to poke him for it. "Hey Aty." She scooted over on the rock and moved her cloak so that he could sit next to her. "You're out here early." Her voice rose a little at the end, lacing a question through her statement.

[Atyvn]

"Well I figured I should make up for not being out here for the last few days." he said as he took a seat next to her. He turned his body to sit so he faced her and he put a foot on the rock behind her so he had somewhere to lean. He kept a comfortable distance, never wanting to intrude so close to someone's space, but by know he knew the position was fine. He enjoyed her presence now, like he always did, and he always reasoned that he was comfortable with finally finding a close friend. The friendship had sprung up so quickly compared to his other relationships with people, but he didn't argue that in the least. "And you were waiting for me this early?" he teased, trying to work her into a corner of embarrassment which was always fun for him. He kept the necklace hidden in his grip until he felt he should give it to her, though sooner or later a fist might seem a bit off for the occasion.

[Renaria]

She turned her head to watch him as he took a seat next to her. She offered him a wide smile. If that was some form of vague apology, then she was showing him that it was fine with her. If it wasn't, then it would just seem like she was pleased to see him. She turned her whole body to face him, pulling both her legs onto the rock. She crossed them in front of her, one knee resting on the foot he had planted behind her. "Waiting for you? I...no... I always get up this early." It was a half-lie. She did always get up early, but she had actually been waiting this time. Luckily for her, he had missed her pacing session, though the faint pink blush creeping into her cheeks probably gave something away. "Don't flatter yourself." She grinned at that to show she was joking, and also to try and cover her tracks. She leant her elbows on her knees, and then propped her chin up on her hands. "You haven't been hunting in a little while." She tilted her head curiously. "Did you find something else to do inside?" OOCI had this post written but my browser crashed So sorry if this one sucks at all, it's a re-write.

[Atyvn]

OOCI understand that all too well. It's fine. Atyvn's smile grew into a grin as he saw her cheeks grow pink for the short moment. "Mhm... And I'll just have to believe you, huh?" he said, his grin softening to show his light nature on the subject. He could've pressed for more, but he stopped in his teasing to move to the more pressing matter on his mind. The object in his hand felt as if was turning to lead, growing heavy on his mind as he desperately wanted to give it then. But always one for keeping a bit of excitement somehow, he kept it secret still. "Nothing too pressing, just a little thing to work on..." he said without thinking thoroughly. Now his thoughts really pressed on him, assuming she could guess by now he had something for her. How easily could his own teasing be turned on him at this moment? He didn't want to dally to find out so he extended his clenched fist to her. "Well, working on this." he said quietly and opened his hand to reveal the poor attempt of a snowflake pendant with string attached. You could tell that it was a snowflake, but it looked like if you drew it on paper it would look like a five year old was the artist. A feint pink appeared on his lightly tanned face, but he kept his face turned a little to attempt to hide it.

[Renaria]

She raised one eyebrow at him, her smile matching his. She pulled on a section of her hair for a moment, it obscured part of her face, and she didn't let it drop till she was sure the rose tint to her skin had gone. It was then that she noticed he had been sitting with his fist clenched for the entire duration of their short conversation. She wondered for a moment if something was bothering him, and she was about to glance round when he spoke up again. He'd found a project to work on? She looked down as he extended the fist that had caught her attention. When he revealed the pendant to her, her face warmed with a smile. "You made this?" She had no idea that he knew how to carve, though she should have guessed something from his hold. Her eyes flicked up to his for a brief moment. She reached out and gently touched the ivory snowflake laying in his palm. It was a little rough around the edges, and un-symmetrical, but the kelvic thought it was beautiful. "It's lovely Atyvn." She raised her gaze again, her grey eyes holding his blue, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

[Atyvn]

Atyvn's semi-confident smile worked its way back onto his lips, but the feint pink didn't vanish. "I- yes... well, it's yours." he said, his eyes were swirling with colors resting mainly on a light, pink-ish blue which almost looked like an odd purple. He shifted his gaze to the necklace to look at what she had called lovely. She didn't really like it, he knew, because it was just bad craftsmanship. He could've just bought one that looked nice. Why did he even do this to begin with? What made this girl special enough to give a gift for no reason? He grew agitated with himself, mainly because his emotions towards Renaria. It wasn't that he liked her... did he? No, that was a silly idea. His eyes betrayed him as he couldn't help but take a glance over her. She was attractive to him; he did have to admit that much. The thought renewed his blush, but he fought it away and closed his eyes to not give his underlying emotions away as if they haven't already.