Open [The Red Diamond Tavern] Come Sit By the Fire

[Vaspira]

Vaspira ordered a water for herself as well, looking over at Svasra with a small smile. She enjoyed this woman’s company, she was kind and soft, but Vaspira could not help but wonder if there was more to her hiding underneath that kind and soft exterior.

The storyteller started to examine her, making her feel slightly uncomfortable at first. Vaspira figured the examination was more because the Vantha was as interested in her as she was in the storyteller. Vaspira was a little used to be looked at and over by people, she did not look exactly human close up, so it was a usual behavior of people, so she shrugged it off and stared back at the woman, letting her take her fill of her appearance.

When she was done, she gave her no explanation, instead she wanted to hear about her travels, all the details. Vaspira smiled and chuckled softly, nodding her head, ”Alright.” Vaspira cleared her throat, ”It all started- Her story was cut off by a rather loud exclamation of a woman. If she had been in her panther form, her hair would be standing on end, and a growl radiating from her throat. She did not like obnoxious people, they made her want to attack and silence the loud noisy. But she kept calm and glared at the woman as she left, thankfully a somewhat silence rested over the tavern, the only noises coming from the drunkards who were actually starting to become quiet themselves. Vaspira wondered if they had drank too much, and was being lulled into a sleepy state by the alcohol.

Vaspira shook her head, the smile back on her face, ”Anyways, as I was saying. It all started at the Suvan Sea. I lived there with my mother in the jungles. We hunted for our food and lived off what nature provided us with. The only time there was interactions with people of the Suvan, was when we need something we could not find in the jungle. Anyways, a storm hit the Suvan Sea, my mother was out hunting before it came up. That was the night she died, and the next morning I began my travels. I left the Suvan Sea, and traveled through Karjin to the Taldera region. I followed my heart, and found myself in the Spires.” Vaspira paused in her story, lifting the glass of water up to her lips, taking a small sip to hydrate her dry mouth.

Once her mouth felt less dry, she continued with her story, ”Once entering the Spires I felt at home. There was beautiful, bountiful, green nature everywhere the eye could see. Trees as tall as mountains, that seemed to touch the clouds in the skies. I almost walked past the entrance to the city, it is hidden to those who are not paying attention. Though I found it, and was met by Jamoura. Jamoura are ape like human creatures. They are tall and massive, they look like they could snap me or you like a twig if upset. I was slightly frightened and intimidated by their size and strength, but they were kind and lead me to the city. I met a few people there. Some good, some not so good. That is how it always is though, right? You always find some you can get along with, and some you cannot get alone with.” Vaspira paused again, as a little rage raced through her veins at the memory of that rude little girl Ana flashed through her mind. One day she would regret the words she said, one day Vaspira would show that girl what a Panther could really do to that fragile flesh.

Vaspira shook off the anger, tossing her head slightly from side to side, ”Anyways, I met a Konti Seer there. She was so beautiful. Pale skin that had scales like a fish on it, and long white blonde hair, and knowing intelligent eyes. She told me to travel here to find out more information about my blood father. So I traveled through the Northern Reaches, actually encountered a Yukman during that travel too. It was the scariest thing I had ever seen.” Vaspira’s body shook slightly with a chill at remembering that terrifying monster. ”I evaded the Yukman, hiding in a tree till I could no longer hear or see it. Then I jumped down and continued my travel here. So here I am.” Vaspira gestured with her hands in a wide sweep and smiled. She wasn’t that great of a storyteller, but she hoped the woman enjoyed it either way.

Vaspira gulped down her water, after speaking so many words her throat was a little dry. But she stayed quiet, letting the woman have a chance to ask any questions she may have.

[Svasra]

After Vaspira was interrupted by the loud Skyglow, she started again, with a visible tinge of irritation in her posture, though it melted as Vaspira smiled. "Anyways, as I was saying ..." Vaspira went to tell the tale of her past, beginning out on the sea. The sea, what a whimsical place to start a story. The rolling waves, and clear blue skies, the call of the birds. Who would wish to leave such a place? The things she saw within books and stories showed such a perfected scenery Svasra practically wriggled with excitement to think of travelling upon such expanse. Vaspira did not share a pleasant or peaceful story though. Hers was the death of her mother, and Svasra appeared openly stricken at the prospect.

Her mother dying ... Svasra could not even imagine such horrid fate. She didn't want to imagine such. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and compassion, the love for her own parents a harsh reminder of their mortality. What would she do? What if they passed away when she leaves Avanthal? Svasra bit her lip, and tried to concentrate as Vaspira continued, the flow of her story too quick for Svasra to interject and attempt to offer her consolation.

" ... Jamoura. Jamoura are ape like human creatures. They are tall and massive, they look like they could snap me or you like a twig if upset," Vaspira was saying, and Svasra struggled to follow completely. She nodded at these words though, recalling the loveable Southern pals of the Vantha, the long-lived Jamoura are well respected within Avanthalian society. Though she had never met one herself, she always hoped such fate would spin nicely. Svasra drank up the facts eagerly, eyes wide as the woman continued, "I met a few people there. Some good, some not so good. That is how it always is though, right? You always find some you can get along with, and some you cannot get alone with."

Svasra nodded her agreement, though dared not break the flow Vaspira had fallen into. She wondered how long the woman stared in The Spires, and if she planned on returning. Taking note to ask such inquiries later, Svasra tilted her head as she relayed the reason of her visit in the story's context. " ... She told me to travel here to find out more information about my blood father. So I traveled through the Northern Reaches, actually encountered a Yukman during that travel too. It was the scariest thing I had ever seen."

Yukman? Svasra tried to find a word that sounded like it in Vani, or even something that would be terrifying to a large panther. Coming up with nothing, Svasra's confusion was obvious as she blinked her gaze blankly at the woman. The chill that ran down Vaspira's spine brought the prickling of the hair on Svasra's neck, as she refrained from shuddering as well.

Vaspira finished soon after with a simple, "So here I am." Unable to help herself, Svasra clapped eagerly, smiling. Now she could ask questions! Of all the things in a tale, Svasra loved to ask questions and learn even more, forever wishing to just drown in the beauty of words and the lives lived. First thing was first though.

"I am so sorry to hear about mother yours," Svasra said sincerely. "I don't evn want to think of without mother my," she continued in a slightly distressed tone, as though tempted to run out and check the health of her mother, should she suppressed it.

"I have ... few ... questions," Svasra said, nodding. "How long you stay .. stayed in Spires? You... go back? What is ...." Svasra paused and frowned, trying to recall the word. "Yukman?" The foreign word mangled on her tongue, and it was barely audible. "What is terrifying creature?" she added as a meek elaboration to assist in understanding. Svasra tilted her head, and looked at the woman expectantly.

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

[Vaspira]

Vaspira gave the woman a small smile and nodded her head at her sympathies. Her mother was gone, the only person she ever relied on, ever trusted, ever loved, ever really known. But Vaspira liked to think that she was in a better place now, that maybe she would never feel pain again in that place, ”Thank you. She is in a better place now, at least that is what I like to think.”

Vaspira was glad that the topic had changed from her mother. She did not like to express emotion around others, and she really did not want to start crying in front of a stranger, that would be too uncomfortable for her to go through.

”I only stayed in the spires for thirty days or a little over. It is a beautiful place.” Vaspira gave a bright smile, remembering all the abundant nature in the Spires. It was a glorious place, one of which was slightly warmer than Avanthal. Then the topic changed again, to the Yukman. Vaspira shivered slightly at them being brought up again. She thought she would surely die that night.

”The Yukman are more than one. They are… herds. Many. They have high-pitched screams that seem to shatter the bones in your body. Their skin are cracked, like how your lips get dry and cracked, their skin is that way. Earth is embedded in their bodies; rocks protrude out of their skin, raw gems that are stuck in their flesh glimmer in the moon light. They looked to be as large as Jamoura.” Vaspira glanced away, the memories of seeing a group of frightening creatures was one she did not like to remember. But people needed to know that these monsters existed, that traveling is not as easy as people make it seem, it is full of dangers.

[Svasra]

Vaspira accepted her condolence silently, and both of them were eager to move on. Svasra didn't wish to pluck at old wounds, and Vaspira appeared visibly uncomfortable at the thought of speaking about her mother. "I only stayed in the spires for thirty days or a little over. It is a beautiful place," she said with the change of topic, a reminiscent smile twinging Svasra's heartstrings. Were the Spires really so radiant? Svasra wondered if she would ever see them . . . if all went well, she would.

The next shift in the conversation was another one of reluctance. More from Vaspira though as she hesitated to tell of the horrors she saw. A shiver ran up her spine as she told Svasra, seemingly on a need-to-know than just a pleasant comment, "The Yukman are more than one. They are… herds. Many. They have high-pitched screams that seem to shatter the bones in your body. Their skin are cracked, like how your lips get dry and cracked, their skin is that way. Earth is embedded in their bodies; rocks protrude out of their skin, raw gems that are stuck in their flesh glimmer in the moon light. They looked to be as large as Jamoura."

Slowly, a look of shock rippled over Svasra's expression. Her eyes flashed through sickly colors in her rage of emotions before they settled and her face was a mask of muted fear. She had heard tales, of course of mutated beings and ripping skin. Though, to hear such an animal existed so close by? Within the woods of the Spires? Svasra shook, and she leaned back, hands limp on the table. Who was she to think she could travel through such? She would die. Her foolishness made her deserving of such death though. "I am naive of the evils outside of Icewall Gates," Svasra voiced meekly. Her hands came together, tightly interlacing. The woman paused for a minute, as though digesting this information, her face melting into one of peace after a brief struggle to not simply freak out at the sudden awareness of her own oblivion.

"Pray," she muttered, then said in a louder voice, "Tell me what else lays beyond Avanthal?"

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

[Vaspira]

Vaspira watched as the Vantha’s eyes changed colors, and the look of fear came across her face. She did not mean to scare the young woman, but it looked as if she did. Vaspria reached out and patted her hand, ”We are all naïve to the different evils that exist in this world. Life is not all rainbows and snowflakes. Evil and death lurk all around us, but we blind ourselves to such things.” Vaspira gave her a small smile, ”Do not fear. The Yukmen can be tamed, like animals can be tamed. If you can run you can evade them. If you can use that gnosis of yours to maybe throw deadly ice sickles, you will be fine. Or if you know how to use a weapon, you will also be fine.” Vaspira was trying to reassure the beautiful storyteller, to let her know that everything is okay. She did not want to strike such fear into her, but people should know of the monsters that lurk in the shadows. The Yukmen are babies compared to the others that live in the lands. Or so that is what she had heard.

The Storyteller muttered something under her breath in Vantha, then moved on to ask what else laid beyond Avanthal. Vaspira disregarded the muttered word, it was obvious that it was not meant for her to hear or take notice to, instead she went on to tell the woman what little she knew of the world outside of the city of ice.

”Beyond this city of snow and ice, there is a place called the Suvan Sea. The sea sparkles like glittering jewels in the sunlight, and glistens with an ethereal beauty at night. The days in winter are mild, the spring pleasant, the summer hot, and the fall just right.” Vaspira paused for a moment taking a sip of water that the barmaid refilled for her. ”The Svefra live that, which is somewhat like pirates. They stay on their boats though, live there, and travel in pods, or groups of other Svefra. The Charoda also live there. Which are beautiful, yet strange creatures.” The Huntress paused for a minute, taking another sip of water, then continued, ”They look like a human fish. They have rubber like skin, the only color I have seen is blue, but my mother said they come in white too. They are completely hairless, and have like fish fins for hair, and webbing between their toes and fingers, kind of like a Konti.”

Vaspira looked over at the Storyteller, hoping that this description would lighten up the mood a little, then she continued ”I do not know much else really. My mother and I lived in the Northern Suvan Sea in the jungles on the Taldera region, so I have only traveled Taldera so far. Soon though I will be leaving Avanthal to travel more of the world of Mizahar.” Vaspira yawned slightly, then decided to ask another question of the Storyteller.

”So… You have never left Avanthal?Never read about other places or heard about them?” Vaspira asked in a soft voice. She did not know what it would be like to be contained to one place for so long, she would become stir crazy. The Huntress had to be on the move, she did not like the feeling of being caged, confined to one area, for long periods of time.

[Svasra]

Svasra smiled meekly as Vaspira pat her hand in a reassuring manner, though the Vantha seemed more embarrassed than comforted. "We are all naïve to the different evils that exist in this world. Life is not all rainbows and snowflakes. Evil and death lurk all around us, but we blind ourselves to such things," she said, "Do not fear. The Yukmen can be tamed, like animals can be tamed. If you can run you can evade them. If you can use that gnosis of yours to maybe throw deadly ice sickles, you will be fine. Or if you know how to use a weapon, you will also be fine."
"I ... know none ... weaponry," Svasra murmured, though it was more of a notion to herself. She was just a helpless little storyteller, it seemed. Yet, how would she ever learn how to take care of herself without venturing into such dangers?

The pair of them moved on, Svasra listening as Vaspira told of the rest of the world, "Beyond this city of snow and ice, there is a place called the Suvan Sea ..." Svasra perked up as Vaspira spoke of much less dangerous sentient beings, continuing on to describe the Charoda. Though sometimes Svasra' brow furrowed as she mumbled a translation into Vani to herself, the flow of Common seemed to come easier over the course of the conversation. With Vaspira speaking only such language to her, Svasra found herself forced to remember how the language was strung together, while absorbing the lesson Vaspira didn't know she was teaching. Her easy speech and lulling tones taught the little storyteller some new words, using context to guess what they are, while also reviewing verb tense and sentence structure with her. Even if she didn't fully know what Vaspira was saying, Svasra found herself nodding, running over how she phrased it, and then disentangling it to capture the meaning.

"So… You have never left Avanthal? Never read about other places or heard about them?" Vaspira asked at the end of her description, and Svasra laughed quietly with a small shake of her head.
"Ah, no, I have not," she refrained from saying 'leaved', "Left Avanthal, before. Though I read about places, um, learned? Learned about them when I was little. In school." Svasra paused to string the rest of what she wished to say into Common. "Ah, I hear about places. Far away, but ... Not a lot of people in Avanthal know about them." She shrugged slightly. "I, ah, I hope to travel too. Travel far. Find out for ... myself, the rest of the world." Tilting her head slightly at the Kelvic, Svasra asked, "Where will you go first?"

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

[Vaspira]

Vaspira listened intently to the Vantha woman string common together. She was getting better at speaking the language through this conversation, her sentences becoming a little more clearer over time. Vaspira kept the kind smile on her face, and nodded her head, letting the woman finish everything she had to say.

”Well that is good that you have learned about other places. Though I suppose it is hard to teach of places one has never been before.” Vaspira chuckled softly, then went on to answer her question, ”I am heading to the land of knights next I do believe. Syliras.” Vaspira cleared her throat, taking a small sip of the cold water, ”I will be leaving for there soon actually. Once I have gathered all the information I need about my father. Where are you planning on going?” Vaspira asked.

The Kelvic believed that everyone should have the right to travel, that everyone should experience it, if it was only a couple hundred miles, it was still rewarding. One can learn about places in books all day, but seeing and experiencing it first hand was even better. Vaspira wasn’t much of a book learner, she could read only a little, she preferred hand on teaching.

[Svasra]

[Note: Apologies for the shortness of this one]

When Vaspira inquired of her own travel destinations, Svasra seemed to hesitate, and looked away. "My plans?" she echoed, expression contorted into on of mild confusion. "I don't have one, I don't think," she finally admitted with a gentle shrug of her shoulders. Svasra's slender finger tapped her chin in silent thought. "Lhavit, will be the first place I go to," she explained after a moment, "Though after that I am not sure."

Svasra asked for another glass of water, and absently poured some onto her hand, molding the ice she'd created into shapes. They weren't explicit like the panther-thing she'd made before, something much more whimsical twisted between her fingers that ran over the ice. She seemed neither focused on Vaspira, nor the figure in her hands that began to run over her fingers and twist around her palm. Somewhere, in between the two Svasra settled down, and mused her unsure future. She tried to think of where she would really go after Lhavit, would she just come home? Would she even make it there in the first place?

"In ... S...Syliras, yes? In Syliras will you live there? Why do you plan on going?"

oocWow! We're almost at forty posts! I'm not exactly sure when/how you wished to wrap up this thread, Sv and Vaspira look like they could talk forever! xD

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

[Vaspira]

The Huntress did not mean to make the small woman feel uncomfortable with her question, though she was not sure if she was uncomfortable or just unsure of her plans altogether. When she spoke her common just tumbled out the words, and she mentioned somewhere that sounded somewhat like Lhavit but she was not sure, so she just nodded her head and gave her a smile.

”Follow your heart, it will lead you to the right place. To your destiny. I believe we are here for so much more than we think.” The Kelvic gave a wiry grin, and sipped on her water. This woman had became very interesting to the Huntress. She was calm, cool, innocent. Something that she was not really used to, to say the least. She watched as the woman stayed silent for a moment, mulling over thoughts that Vaspira could not guess about as she made a whimsical design of ice in her palm. Once again the Huntress could not help the twinge of jealously at such a miraculous ability the woman possessed. It seemed like it would be useful in a fight, if that were possible.

The next words out of the woman’s mouth seemed to stumble around, asking if she would live in Syliras and why she planned on going there. ”No I do not plan on living there, or anywhere for that matter. I just plan on going there because I know my father lived there once upon a time, and I would like to gather more information about him there. Maybe see if he is alive and living there, who knows where the road will take me, but I plan on traveling on it for as long as my short lived Kelvic life will let me.” Vaspira gave the woman a wink and took a big gulp of the cold water. It was really good, as if it was melted snow in a glass.

”So, you seem very innocent and naïve. I do not mean to offend you with that assumption but it tis true. Why live such a coveted lifestyle to the world around you? What is your reasoning for such?” Vaspira was not all knowledgeable about life either; she was also considered naïve to the older and wiser people. But she knew more than this woman, something she was yet again not used to. She was used to being surrounded by individuals who knew more, who were more experienced with the dealings of the world around them. But she had stumbled upon a woman who was more naïve than she, and her curiosity decided to strike, and she wanted to know why she was like this? Parents’ maybe? Religion? Fears? Maybe even Age?

OOCI had not realized we have gotten so far into the thread. It has been interesting so far! So whenever you wish to stop the thread just let me know

[Svasra]

"Follow your heart, it will lead you to the right place. To your destiny. I believe we are here for so much more than we think," Vaspira said and it brought a tilting smile to Svasra's face as she nodded in agreement. I can only hope I will find mine, she thought, and cast a glance to the dark outdoors, and I'm not walking away from it. Svasra almost missed as Vaspira continued to explain her reasoning of Syliras, but turned in time to see her wink as she took a swig of her water.

Svasra felt a flash of sorrow for Vaspira, constantly travelling and wandering in an attempt to find information on her father. That type of uncertainty would drive her mad ... though isn't that what she was doing to herself? Parting ways with her parents? A sharp pain of fear ran up her spine, straightening it as her eyes shifted through sickly colors. What if something happened to her parents while she was gone? Who would tell her? Who would know where she was?

Luckily, Vaspira interrupted the woman's frets, and she was easily distracted by the new question she asked. Naivety. Such a calling did seem so easy to pin to the young storyteller, as oblivious as she was the dangers she was about to embark upon. Svasra smiled at the woman, and her grin quirked wryly. Why do I live so protected? she thought to herself, though as her calm gaze strayed to Vaspira, Svasra could only laugh.

"You ... have probably always been around people who have traveled, or in the Spires where they are long-lived, have had time to learn about the dangers of the cities. I am young, innocent, ... naive, as you say. Though, I ask you why I would have to be taught of the Yukman, of these dangers that are quite rare." Her shoulders shrugged.

"I do not refuse to learn about these ... dangers, and monsters, and what have you. I just haven't had time, nor really the interest in learning about them. There are other things within Avanthal to spend my time learning, to help the city, and my family. Work for me to do. My parents never traveled, they were born here, and I can imagine they will die here - Morwen pray that be far in the future." Svasra blinked her ever changing eyes and smiled at Vaspira. "They never really considered teaching their child about things that lay beyond Avanthal's borders, if they ever truly know themselves.

"It is not a ... coveted? Coveted lifestyle in the sense I turn a blind eye to the rest of the world. Not a lot of news travels to Avanthal, and not a lot leaves it. Ever since I was little, there was small amount to be taught of things outside of Avanthal, when you think you will always live here. In the time I could take to travel and get killed by Yukman, or search out some man to tell me about them, or do extensive research - which I realize I'll have to do at some point if I wish to leave - I could have worked more here at the Red Diamond, told a story to cheer someone up, made a piece of poetry to share with my Hold, or taught someone of the beauty of Avanthal." Svasra's lips twitched with a twinge of amusement as she inclined her head slightly to the Kelvic.

"Perhaps I should have taken the time, should have learned this, should have done that, but I find taking the time to ... uh think bad and feel bad? .... Regret. Yes, regret something. Waste of time you could use doing something .... helpful. If I need to know it, need to take the time and learn it, like I do now, then I will. Before now though ... there has never been a need to ask, to learn it, to take an interest. It's not naive if there was simply no other option as a child."

Svasra paused and shook her head, shrugging. "If you believe me have a protected childhood, you might be right, I believe my parents don't really know what is beyond Avanthal either. Sure, I learned a bit in school, but that was a while ago now. There was no need to know, and really, I had other things to spend time doing." She smiled at the woman and spread her hands in a welcoming gesture. "You are more than welcome to teach me of the things you believe I am ... naive of, though, for you will find an attentive ear."

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.