Closed Work and Woe (Aarias)

[Vallora Salvari]

"If it were up to me, I would travel the whole world. There would be no cavern, forest, desert or mountain that I would not have explored." The girl wondered what it was like, bound to a responsibility like that. Vallora had never been bounded to anything but her family. She was free to go wherever she like for that was what her whole family did. She had seen nearly everything there was to see in Cyphrus because of that freedom. Yes, she was not accepted at her home but at least she was free.

“I am glad to be traveling with a webber. How long have you been... I believe you're attached to the web, aren't you?”

She shrugged. “So are you. Every child is tied to the Web as soon as they were born, you know, so their Ankals can keep tabs. What about it?”

"And see, when that time comes, if I truly wish to know and if you're willing to speak."

Honestly, Vallora was not that sure of giving her assent in talking about the stories of her family. It was not anything private - clearly. Mostly the reason she refused to talk about it was because she knew nearly nothing of the truth behind. Yes, the shame burnt at the back of her head every time someone looked at her funny or whispered the name Salvari, but it was not the main thing. Thankfully, Aarias didn’t seem to be eager to demand anything out of her just yet.

When Aarias started talking to her about his uncle, Vallora listened to him attentively, thankful for the change. Stories of others had always interested her in some ways, to know how other people lived – despite her own dislike in talking about her story. “What happened to her then?” she asked softly, hoping she was not poking about his life too much.

They kept talking until Vallora caught the shimmery not far from them. There it was, the lake. Despite the fact that some might regard the openness as a dangerous, Vallora knew for a fact that the lake might be one of the safest place in the Sea of Grass - not counting the cities, of course. It's location had offered a layer of protection from any predators, allowing most people to loosen their guard slightly.

Vallora had truly forgotten that she was not alone at the sight of the calm waters. She patted Tal and he knew what she wanted immediately. His strides quickened, his legs stretched longer.She was not going too fast, but she definitely left the warrior a few paces behind. Vallora herself could not really understand her excitement. It had been like what? Two years since she last visited the lake? So yes, she missed the place. The cooling water against her skin. The burst of colors from the plants residing deep under the water.

Even when she was young, Vallora had an affinity for water. She found it cooling and relaxing. To hear its soft lapses were the easiest thing to calm down her nerves. As she came closer to the water, she jumped down against the wet mud, not really noticing. This place held memories. It was where she had first learned Water Reimancy, taught by a Vantha. A life changing experience - awful but worth it. She had also nearly drowned in this lake when she was 10. If she strained, she could imagine the water consuming her as she tried to reach the surface. Xaven was there too that day and he had stupidly taken a dive in order to save, apparently forgetting that he too can't swim. Those were not exactly the best memories of her life, but it was a part of her. And she had learned that every single moment mattered, no matter good or bad.

Vallora looked back to check on Aarias who came up shortly beside her.

[Aarias]

“What did happen to her? He repeats softly, his eyebrows crunching together by his nose. “Well, even I do not know all the details but from what my uncle has told me, she ran off. Taz swears to this day that he should have seen her departure coming. Maybe he could have stopped her from going and convinced her to stay. But, people are airheaded when love is in the mix. Letting her go, I know now, was the hardest decision he ever made.” Licking his lips quickly, Aarias starts to smirk, his voice sounding less serious, “She was always talking about the illustrious wonder of Zeltiva She called it the city by the sea. Her way of navigating the world was truly incandescent. Traveling and surviving were in her blood. And she, even in her older age, never lost that special luster of hope that she might one day see the city of knowledge.”

All his words are quietly spoken as if he were speaking to a ghost, dazed with a longing expression carved in his sandy skin. He invites her to listen with each breath he inhales. There is a love, a family love, in his words for this woman yet he doesn’t speak her name. Has he forgotten? Or can he only evoke a fraction of these feelings and thoughts so much from the depths of his memory? As a statue he stands tall, remaining steady in his speech as his eyes dance with the shining ice of memory. He doesn’t wish for his story to be sad so he switches gears, giving her another glimpse into his way of positive outlook.

“I am happy for her departure, in all honesty.” With a little pause he looks to Vallora and back to the grasses, the sunlight glittering off of the dew. “For I wouldn’t wish to keep such grace that she held locked up in Endrykas. She was smart and if she survived the journey with her cousin, she would be most welcomed inside those libraries. Only then will she absorb all the knowledge possible.” once again, that radiant smile comes to his lips, “And in return her heart may soar for she will be happy. No. More than happy.”

On a somber note, Aarias is slow to add, “She even asked my uncle to go with her. As I have heard it many times over roasting meat, the juices dripping into the crackling flames. She offered a new life far from the toil of Endrykas. She may have loved living in Cyphrus but the people she could have done without. I think she learned all she could here and needed to move on. My uncle understood that and he declined her, knowing his duty reigns on others. Being a man of the Watch, much like I am training to become. He had, and still has, a responsibility to my brother and myself – making sure we grow into good, and more importantly strong, men my parents would have wanted us to be. Hasn’t he done a fine job thus far?” Not really expecting an answer from her, he chuckles, his eyes finally settling on the ripples of the lake.

“That’s beautiful.” He breathes lightly, the smile fading from his lips with wonder, his focus completely encased in those glinting waves. It’s Vallora’s horse that brings him from his grinning daydream of swimming in such a clear lake with no worries in the world. Oh what a life that would be. Unfortunately, Aarias senses that no matter how secluded this place might be, there are always animals lurking about. At day or at night, they’ll prowl through the grass, waiting for their moment to properly take down the opposition.

“Lady, I mean…” he utters quickly when she darts off, galloping down the last grassy slope. “And I thought protecting her would be easy.” He chides himself, shaking his head, “The girl is a free spirit to say the least…” Aarias mumbles, smacking his own reigns to feel that muscle move beneath his legs. Soon, his displeasure in having Vallora run off dissipates. The closer he comes to the water and the mud, the slower his steed steps. The tranquil water beckons him in. Still, the proud warrior still aloof in the saddle, knows his place is elsewhere. Quickly his hand moves to his hilt and Aarias feels the comfort his blade offers him.

Aarias starts to think like an adult, worrying about the younger members of his group – well, in this case its just Vallora. She is his responsibility and no matter how much excitement or an expanse of giggles escape from her, at least he will be keeping a solid head above his shoulders. Instead of voicing his troubles with the sudden departure, he quietly looks for a place to camp and starts to unpack Nevzor.

“I have all night to see the water and be where you are. While I have the light now from the sun, I’m going to set up our camp Might I add, Vallora, you know how to pick ‘em. Never before had I seen such clear water from either runoff or spring wells.” Admiring it from beside Nevzor, he nudges Aarias’ back with his snout, suggesting that he take a moment just to enjoy the water or maybe even take a drink. The warrior declines, grabbing the yvas and pulling the supplies off one by one.

[Vallora Salvari]

Aarias's story made her think of her own journey, when she had left the Sea of Grass. Then, she had planned not to return to the land of Cyphrus, ready to spend the rest of her life in the capital - at least, that's what she had thought. But unlike the woman from his story, no one would miss her and her brother if they had left. Well, Erin, her healer, maybe, but other than her, she wasn't so sure. She never had the chance to know anyone well enough.

She bent down and ran her fingers through the water, feeling its cool touch in the middle of a summer day. A part of her longed to have a dip in the lake. After all, she was already covered with a thin sheen of sweat. But it was not possible. Instead, she simply took of her boots and stepped into the water, its surface nearly reached her knees. She knew the spot well - it was where she would spend ours practicing her Reimancy.

Vallora turned only to see that the warrior had busied himself with unloading his supplies. Besides a few words of phrase, he didn't exactly seem interested. "You know, for someone who had just gotten here, you're quite indifferent," she observed, unable to stop the words from slipping out her lips. Guess she shouldn't be surprised. He looked mature enough while she was probably the overexcited kid. She just couldn't help it. Unlike him, thoughts of preparing for camp was the last thing on her mind. To her, it wasn't an urgent need and she should just enjoy the lake before it goes dark.

Still, seeing him starting to make camp, Vallora sighed and decided to help him out. She wadded out of the water and stood beside her own Strider, starting to take off Tal's yvas. "Tell me what to do to help."

[Aarias]

Hearing the joyous sloshing of water, the warrior cannot help but smile as he places his own yvas on the ground. Looking over to Nevzor, Aarias smooths his hand over the prickly mane. Go, my dear Nevzor. Run in the wind and cherish every moment of it. Chew on the long grasses that sway like dancers in the wind. Now go, I will call you when I need you. Pressing his lips to Nevzor's head, the beast lets out a soft breath before stomping off to enjoy the sun. The sounds of his hooves travels around the lake, the brilliant creature exploring this new territory with ease. Aarias feels his heart start to climb in his chest, the thought of Nevzor being so pleased warms his insides well. He acts sometimes, some might say, as a father as many Drykas do to their bonded striders.

Looking over his shoulder, he sees Vallora bending down to greet the water with compassionate fingers. This lake holds memories for her and Aarias respects the way she greets the water once more. He wonders how smooth the water could be and if it might wash some of his skin so it would be as it used to be. Smooth like velvet. But then again, all children in their younger and more tender ages have such skin. Looking down to his own callused hands, he doubts just water would do any good. Plus, comes his reminder, he needs the tough outer shell so that his soft insides can be protected.

Her words hit him in those very soft spots he swore to protect. His heart and his mind are now wounded. Am I so cold? Shut away from the world that I have forgotten -how- to enjoy the world around me? She has made him wonder and Aarias bits down on his lower lip at such thoughts. Standing up and facing her, he looks as if he is about to apologize but his eyes soon move to the horizon. Priorities. Aarias reminds himself, The sooner we make camp, the safer we will be. However, when he opens his mouth, he is not angry. Perhaps the young warrior is even pleased that she has said such a thing - yet his judgement ignores the swarming apologies building up in his gut. But the goddess Akajia will be upon them soon, turning the bright blue sky into a black curtain with many sparkling stars.

"Letting down your guard for any moment - both long and short - could mean the end of you in this place." Lifting an arm up, he moves with the contour of the land, still speaking softly when she asks for help. "I would be honored to have your help, Vallora." He moves to stand in front of her, reaching out slowly so that he may place his hands on her shoulders, "But you have a connection here that you must honor. This lake is a part of your past and therefore you must reacquaint yourself with those lax waters." He is serious in his words but reasonable. No where in his mind did he think himself mocking for his eyes tell his story proudly. The warrior wishes for her to relax and be happy. "I always have tomorrow." Jerking his thumb behind him, he steps away and lets her decide what she will do, "I have set up a campsite plenty of times and as much of a help you would be, I insist that you recover your roots." Then there is that smile again across his face, showing a few teeth through the folds of his lips.

If she starts to protest, Aarias may have to be forceful for he really believes that the connection between her and the lake is timeless. The thought does cross his mind to pick her up and carry her back to the waters. The warrior grins just thinking about it. No, he won't throw her in but the man can be very stubborn once he has made a decision.

[Vallora Salvari]

When Aarias placed his hand on her shoulder, she tensed reflexively before forcing herself to relax. She was not used to people touching her, especially men. Vallora did not move away but didn’t exactly look comfortable either. She hoped she did not offend him but she simply could not help reacting that way.

“But . . .” the girl trailed off her protest, seeing the hard stubbornness in his eyes. For a moment she felt like a child. She could not explain why exactly – she just did. Her head turned back at the still water. “Alright, but tell me if you need anything.” Politely, she shrugged away his hand and took a step back.

The girl went over to her pack, pulling out a body pack to hold some water. Turning her back at the warrior, Vallora jogged back into the water. The cool water was certainly refreshing but she was not here to simply play around. She was to gather some water and maybe hunt. She filled the pack quickly and tossed it back to the dry ground. There was still one pack for her to fill, but she figured she could do it after she had trained her Reimancy. She wouldn’t be visiting the lake everyday, so she wondered, why not?

Carefully, she expelled a small amount of Res onto her opened hand. A small, clear orb of magic rested a top of her skin as slowly its outer layer morphed into water. She dropped it into the calm waters, sending ripples out. Vallora kept it hovering just a few inches above the water surface and slowly forced its way up again. She willed the rest of the lake water to follow suit, to be attracted by her Res, the water she had created from a part of herself.

So concentrated she was on her task, she barely realized anything else.

[Aarias]

Boundaries, Aarias, boundaries! That inner voice of his crackles, scolding him once she shrugs his hand away. Smiling down at Vallora, he bows his head once in respect for her privacy. From now on he shall do his best to resist. But never before has someone rejected him so callously. No, she is not that cold. Perhaps it just takes her a while to get used to men? Perhaps Warriors take even longer. Who knows the reasons for her family being exiled. I bet -that- has to do something with her bashful ways. I don't see how it can't be.

"I really do insist, Vallora. Yes, yes, I will. Please, relax and have a great time." That smile is still on his face when he waves to her, removing another bag off of his Yvas. The camp is easy enough to set up. The beige of his tent is like a kite against the sky. The creamy color settling well against the blue of the sky and the fern green grasses. A wind comes off of the lake, blowing away the seat and dirt from Aarias' skin. Stopping his work, wiping the beads from his brow, he looks up from the last tent peg to where Vallora is. He is making sure she is safe but for one reason or another (perhaps its the way she contrasts so well with the clear blue water.

Aarias straightens up, his eyes still looking at her. Squinting, he tries and place a thought in his mind. For reasons he doesn't understand, he feels as though he has seen her before near water. Then the colors of the festivities fly past his inner mind and he remembers running around, his mind trying to find something white. A beautiful white though, not just any ordinary color. Still, he can't place his finger on what he was doing that night for all of his friends have just told him bits and pieces that don't make sense on their own. The bigger picture is what he needs, just a name... a face. His heart jumps a bit when he sees Vallora practicing her water Reimancy.

Looking back at the camp, he figures that it's time to start a hunt. They will have to get a fire supplies too like kindling and logs. If they don't have a fire, they will be goners before dawn. "Hey, Vallora?" He asks, treading his way into the water next to her. Not wanting to interrupt, Aarias carefully steps in, his bare back shaking from the coolness. Soon, he knows, the water wont be as sharp and the chills will go away. "You know, that's pretty amazing. Reimancy, is it? How did you learn to wield such a power?" He doesn't ask about hunting just yet, wanting to speak with her before having to place 'work' into the equation.