Unexpected Reunion (Blythe)

[Keyta]

73 of Fall, 512 AV Several weeks past as Keyta was aboard a ship crossing the ocean to return to Mura. She was as excited as ever to see Blythe once more, all of the memories she had of her was just overwhelming. Several of those memories had painful moments but then she was given undivided attention from the one person she loved most. The island was within sight when suddenly there was a hint of a smell that reminded her of fruit, but it was odd and new. The kelvic bat followed her nose, searching the boat until she came across a barrel, this barrel was fat and tall. Keyta could only wonder what type of fruit would be inside that would make such a smell. She propped open the lid and pulled herself up to the top to reveal a strange liquid, mostly clear but slightly tinted pink, and a strong smell of something unusual. Keyta pulled up closer, sticking her head into the barrel to kiss the liquid and suck a small portion into her mouth. The flavors were strong, nearly making the girl lose her grip as her head flung backward. There was an aftertaste however that she enjoyed, her head turned back to the liquid and took another sip, and another, and another. The ship made it to the docks that connected the ocean to the island, the two familiar Konti still worked there like normal plus a few extra men running around either pulling things off their ships, putting things on them, or doing some work to their ships before leaving once more. When they arrived, two men jumped off the boat to tie it down, and pull off the ramp to make it easier to access the boat. Several people began walking off, some of the crew carrying items while other non-crew members where heading to the main building with only their packs. One of the Konti took down everyone's name who was visiting the docks while the other took inventory of the items coming to the island. The day seemed long as they continued their work, the sun began to fall and only then did all of the ships leave. While Kilana continued some various paper-work, Muti was cleaning the docks free of dirt brought from the outsiders. Sadly, most of the dirt was from the crews which visited often, so there was almost always something that needed cleaning. While Muti was cleaning she heard a sudden splash of water and a quick thud against wood. Her heart jumped as she worried someone had fall off the docks, but then noticed the water to be still. She looked at the ocean confused until she heard the noise once more, but this time, behind her, from the items brought from the ships. Only one of the items caught her attention since it was the only thing that could possibly hold a liquid, and maybe a small animal. Muti took the stick end of her broom and flicked the lid off the barrel and rolling on the dock. To her amazement, a small child was inside, and she could tell this child was kelvic since she was revealing her teeth in a drunken, open-mouthed smile. Her orange hair clung to her head as well as her clothing, Keyta's face was blushing a bright red and she was stumbling around even while just standing up in the barrel. It took a moment until Muti released who it was, "By the Gods Keyta?!" The konti swiftly picked up the small child and pulled her to the docks, sitting her down to make it easier to look the girl over. "What were you doing in that barrel?!" Muti asked already knowing the basic idea, but wondering if there was an actual reason. Muti remembered the kelvic, remembered she was a mute, and also remembered she had a liking to Blythe. With that in mind, Muti picked up the girl and started walking off the dock, the soaking wet kelvic with the strong smell of alcohol did nothing more than smile and fling her head about. "Let us get you to Blythe, she will want to see you," Muti said as Keyta tossed her head into the young konti's chest, nuzzling from a moment before turning her head to nibble on the Muti's arm next. Muti shivered for a moment but tried to ignore the odd feeling from the playful kelvic and continued on the path to Blythe's home.

[Blythe]

She had consulted them every day since Keyta had left. Blythe supposed, in part, it had to do with her station as one of the Island's teller of fortunes. Another shard, however small, believed it had more to do with her faith in what they said than anything else. The notion that their counsel held more than empty words, spoken silently through masterfully crafted depictions.

For a time the cards had told her nothing; the celestial bodies dominating with silent brooding as the Konti watched and waited until a time when they showed favor. A sign of life for her fervor, her devotion, for what felt like a dying art.

Slowly withering away, as the shells which lined the sea.

It wasn't until many moon's after the last few season's passing that the cards hinted at new links in a chain being formed. Broken hearts mended as much anticipated reunions rested just beyond the horizon. But whether this boded well for Keyta's coming, or Serrif's, the teller could never know.

Until enough time had lapsed, and she knew the truth in Shadowscape's dominion.

It came as no true surprise then, when a knock came at the door late into the fall season. Lending the Konti to go and answer. Swing the gateway which divided the outside and the home of her mothers, and their children back. Parting it just enough where lavender colored eyes could rake, catch sight of Muti bearing the one which held undying bond. Forged by friendship as opposed to love.

"Hello Muti," Blythe said, as she took note of the tousled orange hair. Arms bearing the weight of child's body. So it was her the cards spoke of...

"When did she get in?" Blythe asked, as her nostrils flared with first whiff of incoming air. "And why does she smell of fruit coupled with liquor?"

The deck's keeper simply smiled. "Not too long ago," she replied, "with the ship's cargo." Blythe raised a single brow in sudden understanding, of at least, a minor sort.

That explained a lot.

[Keyta]

At first, the sound of the a familiar voice made Keyta freeze as she still had her mouth on Muti's mouth. With a quick glance however, the kelvic recognized Blythe and jumped from one konti to the next, making the small of the two take a few steps back as she was not use to the girl's playful manners. The girl's face was still blushed bright red as she took her head and buried it into Blythe's chest, wrapping her arms around her as tightly as she could, but still shifting her weight constantly. Only then did Keyta realize that her clothes were soaking wet, and she was dripping all over Blythe's floor. She stepped back abruptly and started raising her shirt, trying to remove it and fold it into her bag. Her shirt did not wish to be removed though, as she continued pulling and tugging but the shirt only hugged her head with all its might. Keyta bent her body trying to get leverage but it was no use, and only caused her to stumble onto the ground. The kelvic looked back up at the konti and remembered how happy she was to see her again. Keyta revealed another open-mouthed smile, her eyes squinted slightly and then she fell over on her side. The girl's head hit the floor with a hard thud and without a moment placing, she was fast asleep. Swiftly swimming into the world of dreams, memories of the past blended with memories from resent and even a few thoughts of future possibilities. The eyes, they were watching her, nothing more than dark holes of eyes looking through her all together. Keyta was nothing before them, they judged her and moved closer. Before she was consumed within these eyes, two tall bodies dressed in white and with pale skin stepped out in front. They did not face the girl but faced the eyes instead, blocking their view and actually making them leave. When they left her view, Keyta suddenly fell a great distance, landing in a strange smelling liquid. This liquid showed her images of her past, her first flight around her home, the first fight she had ever been in, meeting Blythe for the first time. The liquid quickly grew dark before spitting her out, dropping her on a soft bed. She remembered this bed, she was not allowed to move much while on this bed because she had broken her arm. The bed was comforting, warming, until it folded over her, pushing her back into the darkness. Those dark eyes reappeared, this time only visible with the crimson flame burning behind them. They once again peered through the young girl, doing nothing but growing larger until a voice was heard. "You will be mine!" OOCSorry for the slightly lame post, figured I'd go ahead and describe the dream and basically that was the end of the dream, so if you want, you can post with me waking back up. Do with me what you wish <3

[Blythe]

Blythe smiled as she wrapped her hands around the rum-drenched Kelvic. She could feel the moisture seeping into the cotton fabric of her own clothes, as they too, began to cling to her skin. "Thank you for bringing her home Muti," the Konti said, receiving a your welcome from her counterpart before she turned to leave.

Blythe's lavender colored eyes followed for a time, before they sank to the Kelvic's level. The reddish speckles which lined her dress. "Come on Keyta," Blythe whispered as she plucked her off the ground. Encasing her in trembling arms, which struggled to bare the weight. "Lets get you cleaned up," she added, as she closed the door behind her, and strode through the house to her room, where she promptly deposited the girl on her bed. So she may sleep a bit better as she fetched a spare dress from her nieces, and another for herself, from Briar.

Upon her return, she stripped Keyta as easily as she could, doing her best not to wake her, as she redressed both the girl and herself. When she finished, she tossed their sodden clothes in the wash bin, and headed for the kitchen, knowing the girl would more than likely be in need of water and fruit when she awoke.

It didn't take long for her to fetch a glass of water, or shine an apple on her shirt, and return to her bedchamber, where she set everything aside on the bedside table, and took a seat at the edge of her mattress. Just close enough to the Kelvic where she could extend her reach, run a few fingers through the girl's hair. Wiping it away from her eyes as she sighed. "What am I going to do with you Keyta?" she asked whoever might listen.

Which seemed to be no one right now.

[Keyta]

Keyta jumped up with horror as her dream, or rather her nightmare, finally came to an end. She looked around quickly, noticing Blythe on her bed, in the same spot she use to sit when she lived there before. She was happy to see her, but also worried she had made her mad for leaving in the first place. The kelvic lowered her head, worried to even look Blythe in the eye as she just sat there. Tears formed in her eyes but she never shut them, inside began to gasp lightly trying to hold back a full cry. Keyta hide her face with the blanket upon the bed and huddled over when she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. It wasn't long till the small child had to leap across the bed, holding Blythe tightly and crying into her dry clothes. Keyta wasn't sure how she could apologize, but she didn't want to let go to even try. OOCSorry for getting your clothes wet (again) and sorry for the super short post, I guess you can lead

[Blythe]

Blythe wrapped her hands around the weeping Kelvic. She could feel the warmth of her body against her chest, the cool droplets of moisture that rained from her eyes. "It's ok little one," the Konti whispered into her ear as she circled her back with a single hand. "Everything is going to be alright. Although, we do have to talk about some things," she added, as she got another good whiff of her hair. The fruity intoxication.

"No more drinking alcohol, for one," Blythe said with a small smile, the girl was unlikely to see. "And secondly, we should wash you up good and proper, and get you some new clothes. You seem to have grown a bit, since you were last here."

There was a pause as the older woman kept on rubbing the younger's back. "What do you go say we go bathe in the lake after you've had a drink of water, and perhaps a bite to eat?" Blythe asked. "That's likely to refresh you. And while we're there, you can scrub down your clothes." Blythe giggled. "Ok?"

[Keyta]

Keyta was happy to see that Blythe didn't appear to be angry, even after all she had done. The thoughts of a bath and new clothes sounded wonderful to her as well, especially since this smell continued to invade the girl's nose. Keyta nodded to Blythe, smiling to her and using her arm to wipe away a few tears on her cheeks. The sun was already lowering which meant it would be much easier for her to be out, and the air was still perfect, just like it always seemed to be. Keyta got out of the bed carefully and noticed a new set of clothing already on her body, it almost seemed like everytime she fell asleep she would obtain some new kind of clothing. The girl then went for her bag, which was laying nicely on the ground, propped up against the wall. It too had a strong smell to it, then she remembered that she was wearing it when she... 'fell' ... into the barrel. How was she drawn to a drink that smelled so fowl afterwards? Ignoring the smell the best she could, Keyta took up her bag which needed to be cleaned as well and took off for the doorway. There Keyta patiently awaited her konti friend, even though she already knew the way. She nearly forgot how much exactly she loved this woman, making every moment fun or her overall kindness. Even just feeling like she was important or getting attention was drug-like, something that was just great to have back and she didn't plan on losing it again. Though she had already planned not to, she vowed to herself to never leave this place again, there was no place like it, and there was only one Blythe in the world.

[Blythe]

As Keyta neared the front door to her family's cottage, Blythe gathered a bar of soap, as well as their soiled linens, and soon met her. She smiled weakly as she reached for the Kelvic's hand, and led her into the fading daylight.

_____________________________

Clear water lapped against a shore where both sodden earth and sandy grains met. Blythe kicked her sandals away, and allowed each to slip through the spaces between her toes as she neared the lake's edge. Rum trickling down the length of her arms as the drenched clothes draped over their length. Falling flat against her pale skin. The scales which shimmered lightly with the last of the sun's rays.

"Here we are," Blythe said, as she released her hold on Keyta's hand, offered her the bar of soap, and stepped forward casually. "Why don't you get started, and then I'll help with your hair when I finish scrubbing these?" the Konti asked as she crossed the narrow expanse to the water's edge and wet her feet. Getting used to the cool temperature before wading up to her knees, and dumping the clothes in the water. Pushing the fibres up against each other to get the rum out.

Looking up at Keyta from time to time to be sure she was ok. She couldn't remember if she was a good swimmer or not...

[Keyta]

Keyta grew excited as she approached the lake, it had been forever since she had met its' waters. The lake was a great memory of a few baths she had shared with Blythe and even on her own occasionally. Keyta happily stripped her clothes to walk into the water, the soothing chill ran across her legs and slowly worked up her body. This chill was wonderful, reminded her of cold nights spent outside but with a constant think breeze around her entire body. She grew curious to what it would feel like to swim through it like she had seen several of Blythe's people do, how they flew through the liquid like she flies in the air. Taking a brave leap, Keyta ducked her head underwater, keeping her eyes opened, finding the sudden chill in her eyes to feel odd, but allow it anyway. Her vision blurred quickly in the water, like she was still asleep but waking up, though she could tell there was nothing directly in front of her, so she moved forward anyway. Keyta's feet sunk slightly into the sand under the water as her legs pushed down to propel the kelvic girl through the water. This feeling was amazing, the feeling of flying but in her human form, it was different yet wonderful. The water was thick and felt like a thousand arm wrapping around her body, hugging her as she glided through its' living essence. It was a great feeling indeed, but as she came to a stop in the water, Keyta was at a lost, she wasn't sure how to fly in water and especially while in her human form. Keyta took her hands and started reaching for the surface, trying to even bring her hands back into the air, but failed. The kelvic tried to think, this was not air, it was thick, so perhaps she could pull on it, move herself slowly, but found herself still sitting motionless. Keyta began to think harder, she was able to push with her legs to move forward, so all she had to do was get to the bottom and push upward. This act was much simpler, as the kelvic shifted her body around to grab the dirt beneath her, sinking her hands into it as far as possible. Keyta tucked her feet below her slowly and pushed off once again. Her head popped out of the water with her hair clinging to her head, covering her eyes and ears. The girl gasped for a quick breath before sinking once again. This time she simply used the dirt to bring herself back to Blythe and even grabbing onto her legs to help bring herself back upright. She smiled when she came back and used her left hand to move some hair from her eyes.

[Blythe]

Blythe kept on brushing their clothes together, until she felt them clean. At which point, she left the water's grace, and moved across the shore with a fluidity never lost on her people. As the folds of sodden cloth clung to her skin, she tread, beads of water running readily off her flesh as she came to a shorter tree, upon whose extended branch she lay the linens out to dry, before returning to the lake.

"Come on Keyta!" Blythe called, just as the girl dipped her head below the surface. "We have to rinse your hair out good and proper."

She shook her blonde mane uneasily as the girl was lost to her sight, and then, several chimes later, something tugged at her leg. She gasped, as she stumbled a step back, only to practically drag the girl out with her limb. "Keyta!" she scolded, as she reached for an arm, intending to pull the girl close. "Come here. We need to clean your hair. It still smells a little of rum... and that will not do. We can't have grandmother Rose asking questions," she said, as she tried to run her fingers through the girl's clotting hair.

"Now what did you do with the soap?" Blythe asked, as her lavender colored eyes grazed over the surface of the water.