Closed Not as calm as one would suspect [Elaine]

[Amelia Cross]

[9th day of summer 513.a.v.]
[Wilderness]
[Shore of Lake Ravok]
[Middle day]

For 3 days, Amelia has been out in the wilds of the city. She stayed in a tent not that far from the stables where Fauna was kept throughout the time she was in the city. It was a pleasant weather and the places where she was staying were relatively safe, well, as safe as the wilds could possibly get. With huntsmen coming back to work, it was natural that Amelia felt a bit more protected than she’d normally would.

Now, when her tent was packed and all of her bags that mattered were left in the stables, she felt free. Amelia pulled her braid over her shoulder, as she brushed Fauna few good bells, up until the middle of the day. Making sure to have her leopardbreed be at top appearance as she paid extra detail to the horses mane and tail ”isn’t this nice” she asked her horse, before hearing an approving neigh and a clap of her feet against a rock. To this her smile grew. The girl packed her brushed and threw them in the stable where Fauna was staying. ”let’s go girl” she offered, slowly going deeper into the forests, but always keeping close enough to the shore to see the city or the trading post.

Once the two had reached a comfortable enough for Amelia position, the human bent down and readjusted the saddles, before getting on a rock that was near Fauna. Amelia used the rock as a mounting block and with a little struggle, got on her beloved hors. Amelia was a decent rider, but somehow, getting on and off Fauna was always a problem. However, as soon as Amelia was on the horse, it was a steady right. She slightly tapped the side of her companion, letting the horse know it should go faster as they rode along the countless bushes along the side. A time or two Amelia had to bend down her whole upper body, in order to avoid a lower branch and its blooming leaves. ”Easy girl! I’m taller now!” she chuckled as the two continued on their stroll. And Soon enough, the fortune teller broke out into a song ...

”In this Storybook,
One sees only the masks;
Here on the lake of Ravok,
Leaving nothing but footmarks
On ones broken soul…”

She knew she wasn’t making much sense, but that was what she liked about being alone. She didn’t have to make sense, she could be as random and weird as she liked and nobody would judge her, the trees don’t judge you.

[Elaine Spade]

Get out from the city. Just a little bit get out. She had to go out if only for once. She slowly walked out to the wilds. Fresh air which she couldn't smell. But she could see the green trees and brushes and everything. She could come back later to Ravok she thought and she walked into the forest. The birds were singing, the little wind were blowing through the trees... and everything was trying to avoid from near Elaine. She was too cold... her soulmist was too cold. But it was okay at least she had her calm. She was randomly wandering and didn't know where she was going.

After some time she found herself near the shores of Ravok. She had some kind of nostalgic moment. Like when she was watching the sea with her father at Zeltiva... She was staring at it. She materialized herself, she was wearing her usual white blouse and long black skirt. She went closer to the lake. She sat down and put her legs to the water. Nothing. But she let it there and tried to imagine she was feeling it. She used her memory. She started to feel something. It was chilly but felt good. She was also thinking how Noaru was doing. Where did he arrive? She missed him but she was not alone, she made another friend.

"Father... you loved the sea. Did you became one of the wonderful creature of the sea? Being Laviku's child?"

She was wondering. Maybe Dira brought him to there. She hoped that the goddess did. A good sailor, the sea was his life just like his family. She smiled. Elaine's emotions became more dominate since she had come to Ravok. As The SIlent Lady was amazed by the lake she didn't really notice the people around her. She wasn't even afraid that anyone can see her. And she wasn't alone. Somebody had a good day just like her.

[Amelia Cross]

Her song continued, simple and didn’t make much sense just like most of Amelia’s rhyme. As most knew, she was no good at rhyming, but she tried. Soon would come the rhymes, then the sense and then the deep meaning is right around the corner from there. The ride on Fauna became much calmer as Amelia pulled on her companions rein. Tugging it gently enough to not hurt Fauna, but to still let her know it was about time to slow down. Now it was much safer to travel, ah travel. Amelia missed the trips from Ravok to Syliras. As much as Amelia disliked the city, or more precisely, had found out she despises the city. She couldn’t help herself but think about the trips she had with comrades. They weren’t family, they saw each other form pretty much the first and last times…but they made it feel special.

Fauna seemed to have guessed the nostalgic feeling upon Amelia’s breath changing. The horse let out a neigh, and clapped its nails on the ground, before continuing the stroll towards the shore. As just recently had the girl realized, she went deep enough in the forest to see only a vogue shape of the city upon the lake. ”I miss traveling, don’t you to? I bet sitting around in the stables is boring…but I try to be with you as often as I can” Amelia explained with a smile, letting her pale fingers travel through the horses mane. ”Lets get to the lake, I want a drink” she slightly patted the side of her horse again, to get a bit more faster. Amelia had to avoid the branches of some trees again, holding her left hand up to protect her eyes. But everything was still perfect.

When suddenly, Fauna stopped. Amelia patted her side again, but nothing, the horse refused to move further ”Come on girl, let’s get to the lake” Amelia said while patting the horses strong neck. But to this, Fauna turned around and was about to go a big circle around the spot. Instantly Amelia protested, forcing the horse to stop with a slightly harsher pull on her reins. ”No! Fauna, here!” but still, nothing. And then the girl gave up on ridding and carefully pulled her left leg over the saddle, so now she was sitting sideway on the horse, who refused to turn back, but listened enough not to go further. A silent count to 3 and Amelia jumped off on the ground. She didn’t manage to keep her balance and fell down on her knees and hands.

”that’s what I get for not using a mounting block” she thought looked at the horse again. Fauna was usually amused when Amelia fell, something as clearly not right. The girl got up and brushed off the dirt off her plain red dress, thank Rhysol and her common sense for not wearing some of her finest clothing to this few day tour around the shore.

Coming closer, she toke a hold of the horses rail once more and began pulling I to the shore. At first Fauna protested, she neighed and clapped her hooves, but soon enough, the horse gave in to it’s companion and bout of the girls came closer to the shore. Only now did Amelia notice the slightly chilly air, but she assumed it was the fault of the water. The girl with a white blouse and black skirts, sitting alone and enjoying the water, It was an interesting sight, more so because she was alone, but, Amelia didn’t pay much attention to her. And to her, the previous encounter with Elaine seemed blurry enough not to link it with nature and a bright, sunny day.

”Come girl, have a drink” she lead the horse to the shore, and Fauna didn’t protest. At first Amelia just watched as her horse gulped water, absorbing how her neck moved with every bit of water flowing through it. Finally she decided to join in, and kneeling down, she toke bout of her hand together and used them to take some water and bring it to her lips, taking a refreshing sip of Lake Ravok.

[Elaine Spade]

Elaine was in her thoughts. Deeply. Then she heard the horse. She looked at her side and she noticed a woman with a horse. And it was.. Amelia? She stood up and went closer. She was indeed. So they have met again. She was walking closer. Fauna was more afraid. The temperature around them dropped but not so dramatically. She materialized herself a bit more. She whispered to her."And we meet again fortune-teller..."

She "greeted" Amelia. Fauna didn't wait. She ran way from her. Elaine was sad about it. She didn't want to harm that beautiful horse. She looked down at her hands. No wonder. She looked back at Amelia and was staring at her with her empty eyes. She was wondering... Maybe she really could tell her future a bit. Getting some goods. "You were right in the end... I got something..." She whispered.

Still it was strange to meet her again. She was so weak before Amelia's eyes. But she didn't want any harm. She realized she was too tired to hate humans. And afterall not all human body is really human as she learned. The biggest human she hated is her own pride.

[Amelia Cross]

The air around Amelia became cooler, much to unpleased Amelia as she preferred warmth. Still, she didn’t take it seriously enough to pay attention to it. It was the wilds, it was still next to Ravok, but maybe Rhysol gets tiered of maintaining an even temperature? So, it didn’t bother her… until the cold air was more than just the air, it was a whisper. A voice Amelia could never forget, Elaine. The ghost she read a fortune to. But before Amelia had a proper chance to react, or even to look at the ghost, Fauna ran off.

”Fauna! Come back girl!” she called to the horse, but no reaction. Amelia jumped up, wishing to follow her, but her horrible sense of balance let it show. Before she stood fully up, she slipped and feel into the lake. Thank the gods that the shore is still shallow enough for the wetter not to reach up higher than her knees, or was she just lucky to slip in this part of the lake. One way or the other, she was left wet and her eyes following Fauna’s path.

She climbed out on the grass covered shore. ”I’m glad, I’m glad you found something good” she explained while sitting down on the grass and catching her breath. The Cross didn’t like water, she enjoyed baths…warm baths with flower petals and oils, she got them rarely but those she enjoyed. But this? Thanks, but no thanks. Despite living by the shores all her life, she still had little to no clue about swimming and how it worked. Pathetic actually, but that was just how Amelia was. Funny that she chose a city that rested upon water as her home.

”I must say, I didn’t expect to…see you here, see a ghost, at the middle of the day” Amelia confessed, clearly worried about her friend, Fauna, where on earth could a horse who doesn’t know these parts run off to? Did Elaine do this on purpose? She had no clue. Above all else, she was still frightened from the ghost. ”do you mind me asking, why where you here?” she was throwing questions from the top of her head, no clue what to say and no clue, was she even completely safe.

[Elaine Spade]

Amelia didn't look scared at all. They both knew each other. Elaine even showed to her how weak she was. Painful memory. She didn't want to meet her again... But she didn't want to fight her either. She simply lost her interest about these things. HEr humanity calmed down a bit. She sat down too and was looking at the lake."I needed some break from that sick city...And you?"

Yes a break a long break. Their pride was even higher than Elaine's one. Maybe she have to leave it now. Maybe she should visit somehwere else... Back to Zeltiva. But what about Clyde? No she didn't want to think any of these next to Amelia. "Why are you still in Ravok? Why don't you go back to Zeltiva?"

She asked. But it was like she was whispering to herself too. Really she had nothing to do there. She learned what she had to. She again was thinking about her father as she was watching the lake. What a pity.

[Amelia Cross]

The ghost sat down next to her. She was slightly translucent, and her ghostly, unearthly persona was clear. But her answer, it was so much of a…human’s. Something in this girl had changed since the time she saw her last ”Actually, I was here for the same thing…I wanted to spend some time with my horse, I don’t get that chance a lot since in Ravok…and…the city itself, as much as I like it, some parts are just too gloomy, everyone needs a rest from it ” their talk so casual, as if they were just old friends seeing each other on the streets.

Amelia heard her speak, but she spoke quietly and it toke a lot of Amelia’s concentration to hear her question. ”I study here, I found a mentor to teach me magic and…my father, back in Zeltiva, I wouldn’t have anyone…I don’t want to be lonely” Amelia confessed, before throwing a sentence back at the girl ”…or was that question meant for yourself?”

Listening to the girl’s response, she thought…that making enemies isn’t a sane goal, and so, she decided to offer her a walk, together, maybe she’d enjoy it? ”Want to come with me? To look for my horse?” She was in doubt, she wasn’t sure would the horse run away again from seeing Elaine, but that was the best she could think of, besides, she had to get Fauna back. If something happened to the leopardbreed, she’d kill herself.

[Elaine Spade]

OOCSorry it's late and even short... But the real story begins now! Really sorry Amelia!><

Why did she feel closer to her? This was crazy now. Everysince she met Clyde and frightened her humanity everything changed. She sees everything different now. What is happening? Always questions when gets answer new questions. A deadly cycle which won't stop. She stood up and sighed. She needed to help. She scared the horse. She had to take responsbility for it. She whispered to her.
"Let's go find it then... and no.. I don't speak to myself or question myself in public... I think..."

That made no sense at all. She was confused and she started to walk into the forest with Amelia. She saw where the horse was running away she also hoped she will find it. But why was she doing it ? No just forget it. To not think about she rather was asking Amelia. That could help maybe. She hoped."Who is your mentor? I only know one mage at Ravok... who is also a good friend of me.. if he is not here I don't know if I would still be there..."

[Amelia Cross]

Amelia wasn’t really sure how to react to Elaine actually agree. She was sort of sure, that the ghost would make a sarcastic comment and possibly leave. So now, Amelia wasn’t really sure what to do and how to react to it. So, she didn’t say anything. Just walked casually, catching herself paying more attention to the leaves on the trees, to the ripples on the lake that were caused by something big, quite big. Amelia continued glancing back once in a while.

As the talk casually rifted onto the name of Amelia’s mentor, she wasn’t sure how to answer. She couldn’t harm him, the thought didn’t cross her even once. But would give out his name harm her? ”absolutely not, he is known by many…I was probably the only one who had little clue…” After a bit of thinking and listening to Elaine, she decided it wouldn’t be bad ”Clyde Sullins, an exceptional mage if I dare to say so…even if you don’t know him, I’m sure you have heard of his name…this man probably has trouble walking along the streets, incognito” Amelia chuckled, realizing that most everyone knew him, making his life quite hard. Really, not something to be jalousie of.

As the two walked, well, as much as Elaine’s movements could be described as walking. There was no sight of Fauna. Amelia looked around, only to see a few small branches broken, probably by her horse running in the named direction. Following the pathway, one could see chaotic running. ”she’s there” Amelia thought as the followed, occasionally glancing at Elaine, but not really saying anything. ”umm…do you like animals?””what kind of question is that!?”

[Elaine Spade]

She stopped for a moment. Clyde Sullins is her mentor. She even forgot her question about if she likes animals. Why was she that suprised about it? It was strange that the one she made suffer was a student of her best friend. She looked at Amelia. Did she trully hate her? Not anymore she showed her weakness and she lied to her but that was before she met with him. She moved forward with her. "Of course I know him.... he is my very good friend. He even offered his home for me anytime if I really think."

Can't believe this. Still it was silly that she was that suprised about it. Strange feeling. But afterall they were somehow the same. They were both zeltivan girls at Ravok a disgusting city. And both of them know Clyde very well. "You know it's really 'funny'. We both from Zeltiva. We both ended up at Ravok somehow we really don't like it and we both know Clyde a bit personally. " She whispered.

And now back to the horse searching it was strange that horse could run away that far? She was looking everywhere. Then she heared some weird noises. It was a man's voice and a woman's voice. She didn't hear it very well. "Do you hear it too? What about you hide somewhere?" As she offered it she became invisible even for them, even for the man and woman. She was waiting and just watching what was happening.

OOCOkay I made the opening you may continue who are they, what do they want. So anything you have in mind, hope you don't mind if I started it if you do pm me and I'll change it !