Open The Vanishing Cat

[Wyatti]

Wyatti shrunk into herself as the guards approached, fear, worry, their questions becoming barks. Her lips trembled as she looked for an answer her eyes darting up to the towering guards. She could not bring herself to speak, and for a moment was paralysed on the spot. But then Synthira stepped in and answered, standing her ground against the guards, a quick lie, but one that no doubt sent them away. Yet during that time Wyatti's tiny fingers had reached up the woman's, as if an attempt to stop the worry growing. The guards left and a deep sigh of relief sounded out.

“I’m sorry that I had to lie to them. It was all I could think of. But I’ve seen how people treat kelvics, even in this city.”

Wyatti looked up at Synthira, a small smile on her lips before the pair noticed the rising of the sun. The eastern sky had turned to a rich purples, breaking out of the ink of the night. Yellow hues begun to bleed through, creeping forth as the light of the morning awoke. For a moment the sky was still, but soon the glow of the sun broke thought and cast Priskil's Spire in light. Wyatti gave a wince at the light, and averted her gaze, casting her face into shadow.

"Thank you," Wyatti paused as she cast her glaze up to Synthira "Just... don't do it again."

Her fingers tightened for a moment, and then withdrew, her fingers returning to her side. She turned away, and shuffled on the spot no longer sure on what to say. Of course, not everyone was treated equally in Zeltiva, it was obvious where ever you walked, and something that Wyatti was not particularly good at discussing. Yet now it was the choice on what to do next, it would soon begin to bustle with life, with more eyes and ears upon them watching and judging, something that Wyatti would also prefer to avoid.

"So... what now then?" she managed to ask.

[Synthira]

Synthira was surprised to feel the kelvic's little fingers reaching up at her own. A face appeared in her mind: it was a woman, dark haired, her features smooth. Her eyes were deep green and feline in manner. She seemed to have a wild manner, but her expression was gentle and kind. Synthira felt a sort of longing, a desire to be with the woman, and an immense sadness and hopelessness. Over all, she felt love - of a very specific kind. Synthira knew that feeling well. It was the love only a child could feel for her mother. The feeling and face were soon gone, and the child reclaimed her hand. She looked into the sunset, smiling. Synthira could not help but smile in return. They stood in silence for several moments. The guards had retreated, and for now they were safe. But the sleepy city was beginning to wake. It would not be long before the pounding of horses’ hooves, the cries of vendors, and the chatter of idle talk would fill the silence. “So…what now then?” The little girl asked. Synthira had been in fact asking herself the same question since she had come to Zeltiva. She may have been a fortune teller, but she could not see what the future held. It was up to fate, and to decisions that had not yet been made. They could not stay here long, but where else could they go? “That, my friend, is up to you.”

[Wyatti]

For a moment Wyatti's eyes drifted across the sky, catching the glow of the morning rays. She waited a moment for Synthira's answer, seeking perhaps a brief moment of guidance and at least a push in the right direction.

“That, my friend, is up to you.”

Wyatti was silent, unsure of what to make of Synthira's words. Was it a sign to leave her be? Or to go somewhere together? Humans or particularly adults had such a way with words that was neither firm nor open. It left one hanging, unsure on what step to take and what choices to make. Choices that Wyatti had yet to be good at making, she did not want to be a responsibility on this woman's part, however she also did not want to be alone any more. Her thoughts continued to nag at her, her heart craving to fill that absence, yet Wyatti could not bring herself to ask for more. Synthira had done enough already, and now it was simply time to move on, right?

"Oh... umm... well..." she tried to think over the hesitation "Bye then I guess..."

So Wyatti stepped away, a quick glance back at Synthira before pulling herself away. Alone again and wandering about, it was Wyatti's path now, and something she would have to face. Even if the Kelvic did not want to, she could not resist the calling it was something she had to find. The smile she once had now vanished, replaced only with a small frown as her shoulders seemed to slump slightly. She pushed her hands into her pockets, and kept her feet moving, not knowing where she was going or where her next destination was, it was after all the mystery of life. You never truly know where you are going until you finally get there.

[Synthira]

Synthira watched the young kelvic consider what she’d said. She thought for a long moment. Conflict was apparent on her face, and she spoke sadly. "Oh... umm... well…Bye then I guess..." The kelvic retreated, and Synthira wondered what she’d done. She didn’t mean to drive the girl away. She wondered if the girl didn’t want to talk to her any longer, or if she wanted to be alone. She watched her carefully. If that was her choice, she wouldn’t bother her. Perhaps she liked being alone, or perhaps she saw no point in staying with the konti. Either way, Synthira couldn’t help being slightly disappointed. She’d quite liked the girl, and she didn’t want to be alone again. Still, she had asked her to decide, so she really couldn’t be too put out. The child’s shoulders slumped as she walked, and her smile quickly faded. Synthira halted. It was also possible that there was more to her departure. Could it be she felt Synthira was asking her to leave? Or, maybe she felt she had stayed too long, that she had felt she couldn’t stay. Synthira walked after her. It did not take long to catch up, as her strides were easily twice as long as the girl’s. “Wyatti… I was not by any means asking you to go.” The kelvic turned around. “I was only letting you decide. If you are quite sick of me, I will leave. But if you want someone else along for your big adventure, I would be happy to oblige.”

[Wyatti]

Wyatti blinked up at the woman, and for a moment she was silent. She looked uncertain to say the least, unsure on how to take the woman's comment. She did not want to leave, nor did she really want to be alone, it just felt necessary to do so. She did not speak, there was no real need to. Even simple actions could speak many, and that's what Wyatti did. She extended her hand out to Synthira, her large eyes staring up at her, a flicker of hesitation on perhaps a sudden change of heart.

"I would... uh..." she swallowed "I would like you to come..."

She held her hand out like that for a while, unable to say anything else. Company was always nice, and an adventure with another was always more fun than adventuring alone. And besides she was in good company. A smile, although brief flickered on Wyatti's lips, her expression for a moment looking hopeful, an element of longing filling her eyes. It was simple words for a simple child, who wanted a sense of order in her confused mind.

"Umm..." The Kelvic paused "Where's somewhere nice... and umm quiet?"

Yes, quiet, away from the crowd and out of sight of prying eyes. That is what Wyatti wanted. A brief escape to think and plan, to decide where her adventure would go next.

[Synthira]

Synthira took the kelvic’s outstretched hand, surprised by the little display of trust. Synthira could not help but smile as the girl said she’d like her to come along. They walked hand in hand down the street, watching the city wake. Synthira wracked her brain. Though she’d explored Zeltiva thoroughly enough, she didn’t know any of it very well. “Let’s see… there’s the library. That’s always a quiet place. And…. Have you ever been to the Quill’s rest? Lots of artists and writers go there for some peace and quiet.” In truth, Zeltiva was not a quiet city. There were places here and there, however, and she was happy to give suggestion. That smile, however fleeting, had not gone unnoticed, and it made Synthira smile in kind. Why did the little girl’s trust mean so much? Perhaps it was the fact that it did not seem to be something easily given. Or perhaps it was that the kelvic reminded Synthira of herself, and that she was seeking approval from her younger self by means of the girl. Either way, her sentiments confused her. “There are the docks… they’re typically quite busy, but I think this early it might be quieter.” Synthira always found the ocean soothing, but considering the feline look in Wyatti’s eyes, she figured it was something they likely did not have in common.

[Wyatti]

Wyatti always kept her eyes on Synthira, observing her face as she thought. She could see the subtle flickers, the small minute signs of the Konti thinking carefully. For the most part the Kelvic was quiet, watching, waiting, her little fingers holding onto hers. Wyatti would often hold hands with those she approves of, she found security in such a simple gesture. And the fact the woman accepted without complaint put Wyatti at ease.

“There are the docks… they’re typically quite busy, but I think this early it might be quieter.”

Wyatti's head cocked her head to one side. She remembered the docks well, or more over the hypnotising nature of the ocean. For a moment Wyatti was quiet, her mind thinking carefully. In honesty Wyatti did not mind where she went, everywhere was an adventure, be it a place of calm or a place of energy. To explore, to look and to meet others was now her priority. She gave a nod to Synthira.

"We can go to the docks then if you want," she spoke clearly for a change, no holding back in her words.

Besides, it seemed that the Konti wished to go there, even though she did not speak it herself. It was the subtle undertones, mixed in with careful thought, and perhaps her own longing to go and think. So Wyatti gave a smile and a small gentle tug, the same simple gesture that the two should move on before the crowds did approach.

[Synthira]

OOCI am so sorry for the wait! I thought I'd replied to this, but it turns out I saved to draft instead. "We can go to the docks then if you want," The kelvic said. She did not hesitate, or stammer, which was a surprise to say the least. Taken aback, Synthira nodded. The girl tugged on her hand, signaling that she was anxious to be off. The konti smiled and allowed herself to be led. The docks were never completely peaceful, but this time of day they were much more so than in the afternoons and evenings. Many a ship could be seen along the horizon, coming ever closer. They carried people and ideas and goods unknown, so to some she imagined this was indeed a place of adventure. For her there was more to the area’s attraction. The sea called to her, as always. With the coldness of the season she couldn’t swim as often as she’d liked. In Mura, the sea was a part of life. Gills made it easier, and some were known to spend hours a day in the ocean’s depths. The konti pointed across the water. “You can’t see it from here, but thousands of miles over there lies the Konti Isle. It used to be my home, and it’s full of people like me.” She wasn’t quite sure how to explain to the child how much one could miss a place. In some ways, she didn’t miss it. She missed her life as a child, when she had been with her mother and sisters. She wondered if the kelvic had ever been that happy.

[Wyatti]

Wyatti’s hand followed the hand, her cat like eyes turning and looking off into the distance. Her head cocked quizzically at the words, a small frown forming on her face as she tried to comprehend such a distance. She once thought that Zeltiva was big, a maze of adventure to get lost in, but if this place was over thousands of miles away then Zeltiva must be tiny in comparison. But as she stared out into the great blue beyond, her mind becoming hypnotised by the motion of the waves.

“Home,” she spoke quietly “is where the heart is right?”

It was an attempt to understand the concept of ‘Home’, a word perhaps Wyatti was not completely familiar with. Home of course was a rather alien thought to the Kelvic, after all she had shifted about from place to place so much in this season that she was unsettled without a sense of direction. Sure there was the guiding hand of responsibility, but how much could that do?

The kelvic turned her head up so she faced Synthira, her large eyes blinking as curiosity and questions came to mind. And ones that she did not hesitate to ask, for a want for answers quickly got the better of her.

“What’s it like? Is it big? Are they all like you? Is there lots of stuff there?” and so forth.

[Synthira]

“Home,” the little kelvic spoke quietly, “is where the heart is right? What’s it like? Is it big? Are they all like you? Is there lots of stuff there?” Synthira’s reverie had been interrupted, and the child’s many questions amused her. She remembered the days when everything was a source of questions. Her mother had never tired of giving answers, even late at night or very early in the morning. Synthira was still curious, but she had lost her ability to question easily. She had learned that people, especially in Zeltiva, were cautious when asked one question too many. But she couldn’t resist the childlike innocence in Wyatti’s voice. Nor did she miss the hesitation when she spoke of home – did the girl ever have a home? The saying was one she’d heard more than once, typically from dry old elders back in Mura. It was funny to hear it repeated by one so young. “I think… that home is a place where you can be yourself, and be silly and even sometimes make mistakes and the people will still love you.” She said. Yes, that was Mura… “As for the Konti isle, it isn’t too big. IT’s very beautiful there. The trees turn silvery white and blue with the seasons. There are big white dogs, called Ivaski, and they help the healers there. Most people there are konti, like me. From birth we are chosen by either the goddess Avalis or Rak’keli, so a lot of them are either fortune tellers or healers. It’s quiet, most of the time, but there are visitors.” She checked to make sure she hadn’t lost the kelvic’s attention, and continued. “The konti aren’t all like me, but we all look similar. Many are quiet or shy like me, too. And there is definitely lots of stuff there. Since it’s an island, we send pretty shells and pearls to places like Zeltiva. The water there is said to be magical, and if people live on the Isle long enough, they sometimes get a special gift from Avalis. The konti who are born there get the gift when they’re quite small.”