Flashback ~[Iosha] Lost In The Memories

[Cephei]

Summer 1st 503 AV~3 Bells Till Sun Down~

Cephei had come to Mura seeking answers about her, she felt different and out of place. She had only intended on staying in Mura for a little while, but felt more at home on the peaceful and serene island than she had in years. So far she has been in Mura for a year, though it only seemed like months. Time was fleeting on Mura, the more she told herself it was time to go, the more she would discover and stay. Cephei sighed to herself, as she made her way to the Silver Lake, the scorching summer sun beating down on her back, making sweat descend languidly down her back.

As Cephei approached the beautiful lake, she could not help but notice how the radiant shafts of sunlight on the calm surface of the water, mad it glitter like a freshly polished gem. The sight made Silver Lake all that more alluring on such a sweltering day. She came to the shore looking out at the serene vista before her. There was something in the back of her mind, tickling her, trying to break through. Cephei desired to submerge her humid body in the welcoming depths of the water, but as she came closer to the water she began to reminisce of Gill. The man who saved her from dying on the beach, raised her, taught her like a daughter, she missed him so. Silent tears streamed down her face as she stared out at the silver lake. Cephei succumbed to the memories, becoming lost in their depths.

OOCSorry it is short, quality over quantity right?

[Iosha]

Sitting in the shade under a large willow tree, Iosha turned the page of her journal and started to write. She could hear the sounds of crickets around her as evening approached the shores of the Silver Lake. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she noticed the heat of the day wasn't subsiding even in the shade, so she closed her book , put away it in her backpack, and leaned back onto the trunk and just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the lake. Iosha noticed the beach was full of people enjoying the last few hours of daylight. She smiled sadly to herself as she noticed a group of children building a sand castle by the edge of the water. Watching the children, she always thought it would be a nice to have one friend on Mura, but most of her peers tried to avoid Iosha at all costs since she was the “broken” konti. On more than one occasion, Iosha tried to talk to her classmates in medical school, but she was promptly ignore by the other Konti children. She lived a lonely life in Mura with only her Grandmother to keep her company. Sadly, Iosha started to hum a melody of a song her mother used to sing to her as a child as she turned her attention to a less crowded part of the beach. Iosha eyes fell upon a lone figure of a young Konti girl standing by the water edge. She wasn't sure if the girl noticed Iosha watching her, but she couldn't put a name to her pretty face. Iosha knew of most people her age even though they have nothing to do with her. Watching the girl a little longer, Iosha noticed the reflexions of tears running down the girls face. She frowns to herself and wondered to herself what could have made the girl unhappy . Deciding to introduce herself to the girl, Iosha picked up her back pack and walked out to meet the stranger. Introducing herself to new people wasn't her strong point since Iosha had the tendency to make horrible first impressions. Iosha could already feel her heart race when she started to get closer to the unfamiliar girl. When she got closer to her, the young Konti looked no older than fourteen. Iosha ran a nervous hand through her silver blond hair and walked up besides her. For a moment, she said nothing only staring out over the shimmering lake. Finally, she got enough courage to speak to her, “Hot day isn't it..?” Iosha face started to turn pink for a moment at the stupidity of her question. She decided to take another approach and said softly, “Beautiful evening isn't it? By the way my name is Iosha Moonchaser...what is your name?”

[Cephei]

Cephei could not force herself out of the memory of her past. Gill playing the soft melody on his lute, lulling her to sleep at night. Gill laughing at her as she did not know anything about this world. Gill bandaging her wounds, or "boo boos" as he called them, when she became hurt. Gill was like a father to her, soft, kind, and stern when he had to be. Hands rough from work and him always smelling like the salt laden air of the Suvan Sea. She was so lost in her memories that she did not notice the young woman that had came up. Her soft voice broke her from her thoughts and she could not help jumping in shock. She assumed she was alone, as she made sure to steer clear from all the happy people.

The woman spoke again in a more confident voice, telling her her name and asking what Cephei's name was. Cephei blinked at the tall slender woman, her silvery blond hair shimmering in the dying rays of the sun. Staying silent for a few moments before returning to her senses.

Sorry it seems I was lost in some memories. My name is Cephei, it is a pleasure to meet you Iosha. I did not think I would meet anyone near my own age out here, seems that most of the younger ladies have decided to go to Silver Lodge for a spa treatment. What brings you out here on this humid day? At least she thought she looked near her age, one could not be sure with Konti's they all looked so young. Herself was only 13 going on 14, a young body with an old soul trapped with in. Cephei sighed and cast the depressing thoughts away.

Cephei was trying to be kind and not rude. A lot of people did not like the fact that she asked so many questions, she was inquisitive by nature and had a thirst for the knowledge of the world. Cephei smiled kindly at Iosha and then turned watching the slow descent of the sun. The sun is setting.. Cephei meant to keep that thought in her head, but it seemed to have slipped from her mouth. She could not help but think that the woman would now think her odd. Which she was different, very different and out of place.

[Iosha]

“It must have been a good memory...,” Iosha thought to herself as she waited for the other girl to respond. When girl eventually responded, she was startled at the sound of her voice. Iosha could only inwardly cringed as she thought to herself, “Maybe next time I should warn people ahead of time before sneaking up on them. Oh well I hope she isn't to embarrassed.” She smiled to herself when the girl said her name was Cephei. She started to talk about how it was surprising to meet a girl her age out here because most of the girls their age are at the Silver Lodge. Iosha put her arms behind her head and looked off over the lake. She said with a giggle, “Well...I am not like most young women of Mura, Cephei. I would be considered the “odd” fish in the school. Besides I like it much better out here. I feel more comfortable being out in nature rather than being pampered.” Iosha wondered to herself if she revealed to much of herself to Cephei. It was a bad habit of her to say everything on her mind. Her Grandmother always scolded her for saying what is on her mind since most of her fellow brethren can tell what she is thinking before she says it. Most of the time, Iosha felt discouraged because she thought her grandmother forgot her accident. Iosha decided to answer her question, “Honestly, I came here to study. Since I am a student at the Opal Temple, I often check out medical books and study them by the lake. Eventually, I would like to join the Opal Order, but I think I need more schooling and hands on experience.” Remembering her gnosis mark, she shows her arm to said jokily, but proudly to Cephei, “Honestly, I think my goddess of Rak'Keli took pity on me when she made me a healer, or she just wanted me to stop drooling on her table. I am not sure which, but she must have had her reasons.” Iosha gave Cephei a wink and started to laugh out loud at her joke. She looked over at the crowded beach and noticed a pair of older women looking at her. She abruptly stopped laughing out loud, wiped the sweat from her brow, and said to her with a small laugh, “If I had any friends, I would like them to call me Io, so why don't you call me Io, Cephei. Iosha always seemed too formal to me anyways.” Suddenly, Iosha took Cephei hand, walked in front of her, and gave her a silly smile, “I know how we can beat the heat! Are you up for a swim, Cephei? I heard the fish and plants are quite unique under the surface. When I was a child my mother told me the fish of the lake could see the future, and that is the reason the fisherman stopped fishing the lake because the fish would never go by the boats because they could see in advance their enviable end, so what do you say, do you want to go for a swim?” Iosha knew she was rambling, but she didn't care at the moment because she was really excited to talk to anyone right now.

[Cephei]

Cephei watched Iosha’s eyes as she told her she was the “odd” fish in the school. They flashed with a little sadness, but accepted sadness. She went on to say that she preferred to be in nature and not be pampered. What a wonderful thing to say, Cephei did not like to be pampered either. But when she did she wanted it done by a big sexy male, with strong hands and a rippling body to stare at. She was only a female after all. Odd fish.. Well I suppose I am an odd fish too, although they have attempted to be my friend. More out of wonderment instead of liking though I think. I usually keep to myself when Syna is in power. Cephei smiled at the girl and hoped she did not take that as her que to leave. She enjoyed her company, she was different than most of the Konti on the island, and it was like a breath of fresh air to meet someone odd like herself.

Cephei enjoyed the open nature of the young woman. Most people here were secretive at times about themselves or talked in what seemed to be riddles to Cephei. It made them look ashamed of themselves. Cephei listened with intrigue as the woman went on, a small smile forming on her lips as she talked about studying. Cephei too liked to study, finding out information about the world she had found herself in, the stars in Leth’s beautiful sky, and of course the wondrous magic of this world. Then the girl said something quite humorous when she was talking about her mark from Rak’keli that Cephei could not suppress the light tender laugh that came forth from her throat. She looked at the mark admiring it still holding her small smile. The mark of a deity is precious to say the least. Your deity has plans for you if she marked you; it is something you should be proud of. Deity’s do not mark just anyone, only those with the heart and soul to carry out their will. Cephei tried to talk like a 13 or 14 year old, but it was hard when an old soul was trapped in such a young body. Most of the times the other girls looked at her in shock when she talked about things she probably should not have known. Shying away from her at times, but always attempting to delve further into her mind in curiosity.

Cephei did not understand why the older women were looking so coldly at her and Iosha, it was none of their business really. She could not help that they felt cold where as they felt warm. Cephei shrugged it off and looked back at Iosha as she continued to speak. If she had any friends? Is she saying she has no friends.. Why would she not have friends? Cephei could not help but frown at that, the woman was very open and approachable and easy to talk to, she did not understand why she wouldn’t have friends. Cephei nodded her head and smiled back at her as she suddenly took her hand walking in front of her, a small silly smile forming on her lips. She asked Cephei if she wanted to swim, and then told her about all the magical creatures in the depths of the water. Cephei enjoyed the information she gave about the Silver Lake, and looked up at the descending sun. It would be sun down soon, she might as well enjoy the water while she could.

That sounds like a great idea Io! Let’s go swimming to beat this heat, at least when the sun goes down our bodies will be cool and comfortable at the very least. Cephei smiled and chuckled lightly, letting the girls hand slide out of her own as she began taking her clothes off. She hoped that Iosha took her calling her Io as a sign that she would love to be her friend. Because it was the truth, Io was different than most, and more interesting than the others. She finished taking her clothes off, staying in her undergarments, waiting for the other girl to do the same before they went into the water together.

Let’s run into the water submerging our whole bodies at once. Besides I think those two older women with the cold frowns would enjoy our show. Cephei laughed and winked at Iosha as she waited.

[Iosha]

Iosha gave Cephei a big smile when she agreed to swim with her. She snorted a laugh at her suggestion, and said to with a impish grin, “They're just jealous because we still know how to have fun.” Soon after, she quickly disrobed herself, but she decided to keep her small cloths on, so she didn't make Cephei uncomfortable. Normally, Iosha swam naked because wet clothing interfered with her swimming. Also, she was impatient and didn't want to wait for the clothing to dry. Once she took off her clothing, Iosha put them into her backpack and took Cephei's hand. She smiled over at her new friend and said with a giggle, “Well..Shall we cause a scene, Cephei?” Before she ran into the water, Iosha gave Cephei hand a gentle squeeze and she stuck out her tongue at the older women watching them. She laughed and started to run into the water. When Iosha started to run at the water, she envisioned herself elegantly diving into the water like a graceful dolphin. However, Iosha should know by now that most of her plan miserably. While she was running towards the water, she noticed Cephei was much faster than her, so when Cephei jumped into the water. Iosha was still holding her hand, and she was basically pulled down with the girl. What made matters worse. Iosha accidentally stepped on a rock with slick algae covering it. When her foot touched the rock, she slide forward off the rock and face planted into the water. Luckily, she let go of Cephei hand before she landed in the water. Moments after her embarrassing display, Iosha just sat there in the water with her face as pink as her grandmother curtains. Eventually, she rolled over and said to Cephei or whoever is listening, “If I could see the future, I would have done that much.. much ..much more differently.” Iosha rolled on her back and smiled up at the orange tint of the clouds. She sat there for a moment absorbing the scene in her head, and she said softly to Cephei with a smile, “At least you made a much more elegant entrance into the water, Cephei. I was hoping to enter the water as gracefully as a dolphin, but I think failed at my first attempt.” Iosha started laughing at herself as she started to slowly backstroke to deeper water. Iosha wasn't the fastest swimmer, but her mother taught her the basics of swimming, so at least she can navigate through the water without being completely immobile. Iosha peeked her head over her chest and looked for Cephei. Her new friend was nowhere in sight for now, so Iosha figured she was underwater. While Iosha was staring at the cloud formations in the sky, a evil plan formed in her head. She giggled to herself and waited for Cephei to swim by her than she would pounce. Iosha's plan wasn't evil per-say, but it was definitely childish and unbecoming of a young Konti woman, so Iosha was determined to implement her plan as soon as Cephei swims by her.

[Cephei]

Cephei could not help but give a little laugh when Iosha snorted in laughter, telling her they did not know how to have fun anymore. By the look of their cold withered faces, she would have to agree. How does one lose the ability to laugh? Cephei shrugged it off as Iosha started to disrobe herself. Then she turned to Cephei asking if she was ready to cause a scene, squeezing her hand, before she started running towards to mystical water.

Cephei tried to slow her pace so the woman could catch up, but her body wasn’t use to slowing down and kept plummeting forwards. She hit the water in a graceful splash, realizing that Iosha wasn’t beside her she quickly turned her head to see her face planting in the water. Cephei could not hold in the laughter even if she tried. The look of the girl’s body hitting the water in a face plant, and the look on her red face was just too much. Cephei roared with musical laughter at the girl, she tried to stop and it only delivered a dainty snort. This made Cephei laugh even more at herself. Iosha told her she wanted to enter the water like a graceful dolphin, and Cephei smiled. Maybe next time my friend, you will succeed in that. Just try to avoid the slimy rocks. Cephei laughed again at her friend, as she laid on her back in the water.

Cephei gave a quick glance at the sky herself. It seemed that it would be 30 chimes or less till the sunset, then Iosha would see what she meant by her being odd. She knew vaguely that she was different than the other Konti, but she could not grasp the divinity of it all. Cephei became lost in the sky, thinking of the sunset in a worried mess. When she came out of her thoughts she looked over and saw that Iosha was not beside her anymore, she had floated further into the lake. Cephei smiled and decided to enjoy this time while she could. Chances were that once she changed this woman would not want to be friends with her. Most of the women here were either curious of her or feared her. She only wanted acceptance, not fear, not curiosity, not even idolizing, just acceptance of who she was, all of her.

Cephei swam closer to Iosha, she wasn’t the best of swimmers, but had learned from some of the other Konti women the basics of the swim, enough to keep her from looking stupid, she did not have to worry much about drowning thanks to her water breathing abilities in her Konti form, but she still did not want to look like a fool splashing around in the water. She came up beside Iosha and smiled at the devious grin on her face. What the petch is she thinking to cause such a look on her face? Cephei wondered to herself as she stared at the mischief in the young woman’s eyes.

[Iosha]

Staring up at the sky, Iosha thought about all the things she wanted to share with Cephei when they were done swimming. She wanted to talk about everything from medicine to boys with her new friend. If she wasn't already committed to her quest to submerge Cephei in the water, she would have already started her endless barrage of questions and non-stop talking at her. Iosha knew first impressions were never her strong side since Iosha tended to be more animated and boisterous during a conversation than most Konti. She lost count the time that she scared away a potential friend by being to eager to start up a friendship with them. Her grandmother told her to take it more slowly, but being lonely most of her childhood made her impatient for a friend of her own. Iosha knew nothing about Cephei, and she was about to welcome the girl into her life with open arms, but a part of her wanted leave right now to avoid the disappointment and the heartbreak of being rejected once again. Iosha looked up at Cephei from the water and realized. She would grow up into a much more beautiful woman than Iosha. Iosha knew out of the Konti. She would be considered average in attractiveness. The main thing she hated was her silver blond hair. She didn't have the completely snow white hair of her grandmother or the pearl white hair of her mother. Iosha was always disappointed in her “dirty white” hair, and she lamented at the color of her hair because she always wanted the pure white hair of her grandmother's hair. Grandmother would tell her she was just being foolish, and Iosha's mother told her it was her inner fire of her Inarta father side trying emerge inside her. Iosha accepted her mother reasoning since she was always fascinated by her father’s people. She glanced at the Cephei and realized the woman was almost flawless in her eyes. She looked back to the sky and waited for Cephei to get closer before she made her move. Iosha waited and gazed up at the colorful evening sky. She knew if she was going to catch Cephei off guard. She would have to lure the unsuspecting girl to her. She felt the waves move her slightly as Cephei swam beside her. The confused look on her face was priceless, and she knew that the look was the cue to pounce. Suddenly, Iosha reached out at grabbed the unsuspecting girl by the shoulders and pulled Cephei to her. She rolled Cephei onto her back as looked at the surprised girl underwater. She pushed off of Cephei and waved to her as she swam away from her. Iosha knew she was going to be retaliated against soon, so she just waded on the surface of the lake waiting for her friend to take her revenge.

[Cephei]

Cephei received her answer of why the woman had such a strange look on her face, when she was submerged under the water. She saw Iosha wave at her as she swam to the surface. Cephei’s Konti gills helped her to breath underwater, and she peered up at the sky, the sun was setting, it was gone, behind the trees. It was time, time to be free of her earth bound body, and time for her celestial body to take form. Cephei stayed under the water for 10 chimes, waiting for the change to come. When the moon started to ascend to the sky, her body changed in a swirl of lights, into her true form. She could not breathe under water in this form, but the need to stay hidden under the water made her wait for as long as she could. She did not want to lose her new friend, because she was different. Oxygen supply began to diminish, panic making her heart race, she had no choice but to swim to the surface.

She kicked her legs and arms, and her celestial body emerged from the surface, her opalescent skin shined underneath moon, and she fed off the moon light like a flower of the night. Her pitch black hair cascaded down her back, and her horns were swirling colors of different greens. She glanced at Iosha, her mystical violet eyes now flecked with cobalt blue. She did not know what to tell the woman, she did not know how to begin, how to explain to her. So she said what came to her mind, the first thing, “I told you I was different… “ she did not what else to say, what else to tell her friend. Cephei cast her eyes away from Iosha’s in shame; she was waiting for her to get mad, ready for the insults that would be flung her way, ready for the angry questions of what the petch she was. She stayed still in the water, keeping her eyes averted, awaiting for her reaction, and hoping that she would still be her friend, secretly wishing that she would accept her.

[Iosha]

Iosha waited for her friend to resurface. She wasn't worried because she was Konti, so she could breath underwater. She just waited for Cephei and watched Syna fall behind the trees. She said a quick prayer to the sleepy Goddess Syna, “Sleep well Goddess may your lover Leth watch over us in the night.” Iosha watched the colorful sunset of early summer. She wondered where her friend went because she was missing the breathtaking view. Iosha waded in the water, and she waited for her friend. Suddenly, she heard her resurface, and she turned around with silly grin on her face, “Cephei, I might have a innocent face, but I am really quite evi..” Iosha's mouth dropped when she saw a beautiful creature emerge from the water. She took a closer look and saw she had the face of Cephei. Immediately, Iosha noticed the changes in Cephei new form. She had long black hair with a tint of greens scattered throughout it. Protruding through her hair was a pair of ivory small ram horns. She smiled softly to herself because they were the first things she wanted ask to touch. She looked at her friend and her face softened. She was flawless, but after seeing her new form, Cephei was breathtakingly beautiful in Iosha's eyes. “I told you. I was different..,” Cephei looked away with shame in her voice. Iosha heart sank when she saw the look of shame on her friends face. Iosha shook her head when she got closer to Cephei. With a soft smile, she reached out with her white hand touched Cephei face. Iosha gently made her look at her, and said softly to her friend with a smile on her lips, “You shouldn't be a ashamed about who you are Cephei. In my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on...” A mischievous twinkle shines in her violet eyes as she flirted with her friend, “Besides, I am kind of jealous right now that I was not born a man...” Iosha giggled to herself, gave her a wink, and asked softly, “Well Cephei do you want to continue swimming, or would you like to dry off and talk because I want to learn everything. I can about my new friend.”