A Chance Encounter (van, ronan)

[Khiara]

20th Day of Summer, midday.

It was hot. Petching hot. The sun beat down like some torturous demon, baking the ground and sucking the life out of everything. Or so it felt to one particular person in Endrykas. Khiara wore the flowing white dress of Riverfall, sheer fabric draped from just below her bust layered to cover her, but still thin enough to allow airflow. The top of the dress was gold fabric, designed to flaunt in a halterneck design, but in the vantha's case to give her as much exposed skin to cool down as possible. It brushed against her legs as a soft breeze blew through the pavillion.

"Goddess, what I wouldn't give for winter again!" The brunette groaned as she fanned herself, seated near the doorway with the tent flap propped open. Her ankle had reduced in swelling, and bound in cloth bandages could bare some weight. Restless and over heated, the young woman just wanted to get out. Kashik and Vanator weren't expected to sit around the pavillion all day, so not only was the vantha hot. She was bored.

Glancing outside, Khiara made a firm decision. She had to get out. To see Vsenri and Adelita. The strider hadn't seen much of the girl since their bonding, and Khiara worried she would loose the connection they had. Placing the fan down, Khiara stood gingerly and made her way carefully outside, taking up her waterskin on the way.

The bustle of the city hit her immediately, not to mention the heat. Stifling like a wet towel, it almost deterred the vantha. But she knew the coral wasn't far from here. Staring up at the blazing sun, Khiara lifted the waterskin and uncorked it. Taking a deep drink, she lifted it higher and allowed the cool refreshing water to douse over her face and hair. It trickled down her throat and shoulders, giving her small relief from the heat and washing away the thin sheen of sweat on her skin. Corking the skin, she pushed water from her eyes and put the skin away.

Moving slowly, the vantha wondered if she should just go back inside.

[Ronan]

Ronan tried to wipe away the thin sheen of sweat covering his body, but it returned with a vengeance only moments later. The flat, exposed Sea of Grass was scorching in the summer sun. Though he was walking towards the corral to ride Tairell, he had begun to change his mind. He wondered just how foolish it would be to go riding out in that sun, exposed to it all. At least here, in Endrykas, there was a little shade. He was just turning a corner when he saw Khiara from afar. There was an indescribable feeling inside of him, and memories of their fated night meeting flooded back. Paralysed for only a moment, he began to walk towards her. She looked exhausted - burning and parched. Of course! She's from the snowy climes of Avanthal, no wonder she's a little flustered. "Khiara," he said warmly as he neared, "how are you doing?"

[Khiara]

Goddess, it was really just too far to the coral. Khiara stared off into the dust and contemplated the distance, vision wavering with the intense heat. Maybe Vanator could help her down there later - if of course he wanted to. With a defeated sigh, Khiara turned to go back inside, already feeling the cool water trickling down her skin starting to evaporate under the intensity of the Endrykas sun.

The sound of a man's voice surprized the vantha, a voice familiar enough to cause a wave of sensation in her belly. Turning sharply, the woman gasped as she put too much weight on her ankle. Wincing, she grabbed on to the nearest anchor line for the pavillion to steady herself. Lifting her violet eyes, Khiara smiled at the drykas.

"Ronan? Goddess bless, its so good to see you. I...I'm doing well." Pausing, she looked down at herself and laughed. Wet, flushed, hot and injured. She was a liar.

"Actually, I am doing terribly, but all in all I am okay. Melting in this heat, but okay. I'm sorry I haven't come to find you since...the other night. I was nearly glassbeak food. But you don't need to listen to that. What about you...how are you?" The young brunette's voice turned softer, and her eyes searched his. Since their encounter on the grass land, Khiara had not seen the young man again. It concerned her, knowing how she had felt such a short while before. At least now she knew, he was still here.

[Ronan]

"Glassbeak food?" Ronan raised an eyebrow at the beautiful Vantha, "I won't ask. I'm fine - I had a brush with danger myself since last time, but that ones a long story..." He walked towards her, noting she was clinging for support, sweating, panting. It was a hot day, and even more unbearable for one from Avanthal. "Maybe you should find some shade," he said softly, before opening pouch and pulling out a small skin he had filled with water from the nearby stream, "here, drink some of this." He went to pass it to her, not wanting her to pass out in the middle of Endrykas.

[Khiara]

The violet eyed girl raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but chuckle.

"It sounds like we both have stories to tell." She glanced up at the sun again, before shaking her head.

"All I've done for three days is sit inside the pavillion. I would rather melt away than stay inside any longer. Besides, I need to see how Vsenri and Adelita are doing. I'm sure he's not handling the heat too well either." Looking down again, Khiara took the waterskin gratefully, her fingertips brushing his own. Taking a small sip, the vantha let Ronan have it back before releasing her hold on the anchorline.

"Were you heading towards the coral by chance?" Khiara asked softly, small question in the tone of her voice. It was only a stones throw away for an able bodied drykas...but a long petching way for a crippled vantha. Reaching up, she lifted her hair from her neck, allowing a cool breeze to brush across her skin.

[Ronan]

"In an undecided sort of way, yes! It seemed a bit too hot to ride, but if you're heading down there anyway, I might as well check on Tairell." He took the water skin off her, and had a little himself, brushing the droplets from his face with his arm. He wrapped it back into his pouch, glancing around awkwardly. He wondered if he could sustain conversation with Khiara. Things certainly felt a little off since his mistake. "Khiara... I'm sorry about last time. I didn't mean to..." He trailed off, bowing his head. What was he even trying to say? What was the point? She'd reminded him so much of Siyana, and he had been surprised to find old passion still residing inside him - even after her great betrayal.

[Khiara]

Listening to the young man talk, Khiara felt her smile fade slowly as Ronan apologized for the other night. Again, she felt her heart strings tug as his eyes looked away in shame, hurt...one of the many emotions she could relate to. Yes, things were...awkward. But Khiara knew what it was like to be caught in a moment. Goddess knew she'd been caught in so many with Vanator during their denial.

Reaching out, the brunette placed her hand on his arm gently, violet eyes willing him to look at her.

"Ronan, whats done is done. I forgive you, and I'll not have you apologize again. My people have a story about Andahv and the Goddess. He, a young boatmaker, is so overwhelmed by her presence that he encaptures Morwen's light and seals it away. This upsets the Goddess, and in the middle of a great race, she turns over his boat. The jar breaks and Morwens lights spill back into the sky. The young boatmaker is turned into a fox - and forever on Andahv is destined to cry out his apology to the Goddess, till eternity comes." Smiling a little, Khiara squeezed his arm.

"I am not the Goddess, and you are not Andahv. I need no apologies." Pulling her arm back, the vantha looked around, before swearing softly in vani.

"If I asked you a favour, would it make us even?" Khiara said with a warm smile, hoping to get past the moment. Yes, she felt something between them briefly that night in the grassland. But it was not something to dwell on. Khiara loved Vanator more than she could describe in common - and to him she stayed faithful. The connection between those who had lost someone could cause confusing feelings. The vantha knew that, and knew Ronan could use a friend. There would be no more accidents.

[Ronan]

Ronan felt like a great weight had been lifted as Khiara relayed her story. The fact she was talking to him was relief enough. He had been a monster - plain and simple. Never should he have treated her like that. He was unfamiliar with the fable. Perhaps it was a story told in the northern reaches of Mizahar, near Avanthal - Khiara's home. He was intrigued nonetheless, and listened to her deeply. "Of course I'll do you a favour," he said with a smile, "anything, Khiara." An opportunity for redemption? "Just say the word."

[Khiara]

The vantha's smile broadened thankfully, her violet eyes brightening. Looking back at the coral, then to the drykas again, the young woman blushed.

"Would you help me get to the coral? I don't want to go back inside, and I don't think I can make it there on my own. If you can help me, I'll consider us squared." Khiara said with a laugh. It was embarassing having to ask for help, but the reality of the situation meant she had to. Lifting her head, the vantha let down her hair and cleared her throat.

"If its not too much trouble, of course." Her violet gaze begged him to say yes, Khiara eager to see the horses. Of course she couldn't ride, but she had to just visit them. Then she could hobble back.

[Ronan]

"Trouble?" Ronan laughed, "you look as light as a feather. Of course I can." He moved closer to her, feeling the awkwardness again. "Do you want to lean on me..? I could even carry you if you wanted?" he fumbled over his words, wondering what kind of help she wanted. When he had seen her on Vsenri that night, he had witnessed the love and bond she had for her horses. That connection was admirable, and it seemed come rain or shine, she had to visit her loyal steeds. He wondered how much longer this heat would last - and he feared the worst. The summer warmth could last a long time in Cyphrus, residual heat lasting forever. Very soon the grasses would grow dry and brittle, and even the cool winds might stop momentarily. In a time like that, it would be dangerous to go for days in the wilds. He was content with the company, here in Endrykas.