Closed The Colours of Lhavit (Svasra)

[Zeran]

8th Day of Summer, 513 AV Syna's light would be receding in the next bell or two, giving way for her lover's time in the sky, but not before the two would spend whatever time they could together. But for the time being, she thought no less of her duties as the end of the day approached, illuminating the lands below her as she had always done, affecting one location in Lhavt in particular that showed what the wilderness of Mizahar was truly capable of, given the right conditions. Alheas Park was aglow with the warm, ambient light that shone through the area, catching the shades of reds and oranges that lingered in the surrounding atmosphere. The fadeong and prismflies added their own colours, doing their utmost to enhance the mystical feeling that enshrouded the park, its visitors and all the other inhabitants the were within reach. Flora, fauna and creature alike. Zeran stood at the edge of the pond, gazing at his reflection, bathed in the colours hanging in the air, giving him an appearance that looked like he had been coloured by a child. His cloak was set neatly on the skyglass bench behind him as he fiddled with the bone bracelet he wore on his right wrist. One of the two reminders he had from his time as a child in Ravok. But where the half black sun only served as a reminder of the bad, the bracelet reminded him of good. So why did he feel so guilty? "You'll have to go back eventually." the man in the water told him. "You told her you'd get her out of there. You promised you'd get her out of there." "I know. But that was before my mark." Zeran replied, absently running his fingers over the sun on the back of his left hand. "She's probably out of there by now. Maybe even free. Almost certainly hates me." "And you think that's a reason to not return?" the man retorted. "Your reasons for why you broke your promise may be justifiable, but that still leaves that you made a promise before knowing full well if you could keep it or not!" "I know." "You've wronged her! Own up to that and make things right!" "I know." Zeran's voice began to rise in annoyance, getting louder as the man in the water continued to scold him. "You can't tell for certain. She may still be in her cage, waiting for the day you come for her. You promised!" "Shut up!" Zeran ripped his astral body from his arm, punching the water as hard as he was able with his projection. The pain arrived a moment later from improper detachment, causing him to growl as he grasped his limp right arm with his left. It did no good. The arm hanging at his side had no feeling any more, not whilst the astral arm was outside his body. It was the astral arm that hurt, and Zeran couldn't do anything to stop it. The ripples began to slow down enough that the man in the water started to take shape once again. The scornful expression he held could be seen, even through the diminishing movement in the surface. "You deserved that." Zeran said nothing, pulling his arm back in and starting to reattach it by fixing his hand into his body, slowly working up the rest of his arm.

[Svasra]

Lhavit, the diamond of Kalea. Svasra knew such words were the epitome of truth as she gazed in childish wide-eyed wonder. What to look at? There was so much! The color that sweetly reminded her of home during the night's painted display? The odd creatures that added to the surreal glow of the park? The people who walked so easily midst her, their grace, their beauty, their delicate smile if she caught their eye. A few caused a certain pang in her chest, but Svasra wore a kind expression as she bowed her head to the Ethaefal. Fallen angels, indeed. Her night-black hair seemed to drink in the lights as they played on its ebony surface, adding to the natural streaks of green and gold that shifted beneath. It made her feel almost connected, in an odd way, to the gentle park. Svasra allowed herself to get lost within, her head constantly turning to drink in the wondrous scenery. "This is why I left Avanthal," she murmured to herself, holding the delicate snowflake that hung against her chest.

Her skirt swished lightly around her ankles, wearing a pair of light shoes she had to purchase in the change of weather. It was so warm here! Svasra took a small measure of delight in leaving her heavy winter wear at home, able to go out into the city only wearing a simple shirt and her skirt that seemed appropriate to wear in such a regal town. If this was only one city, just what wonders would the many others bring? Lhavit though ... she knew why they were to come here ... was it only a year ago? How times have changed, and Svasra wondered if she did as well. Ever changing eyes blinking, they whirled through many of the colors that surrounded her as her emotions spun in a mix of excitement, wonder, awe, envy, and simple ... happiness.

A strange voice, though, shattered her brief reverie. Settled on a bench - it was nearly clear! It almost looked like ice! - Svasra decided to write a legend on the colors within Lhavit's park, of course tying them to the familiar lights above her home city. Yet, before she had begun to think of the lines, a sharp exclamation drew her attention away from her thoughts, to the left where the path dipped around a corner, supposedly towards the pond where the gem of this beautiful park lay. Worried someone was hurt or angry - who could ever find such heated emotions in this place? - Svasra rose to follow the outburst.

Turning the corner, Svasra found a young man gazing into the pool. She paused for a moment to observe the colors that reflected off the waters and filter through the benches to create a scenery where Svasra swore she was breathing it in. Though the male was significantly taller, Svasra would guess by his youthful countenance he was around her own age, though it was difficult to assume with such a troubled expression on his face. "Sir?" Svasra asked in her lilted Common, using the respectful titles she had picked up on her travels. "Are, ah, you alright?"

Svasra ventured closer until she stood a few feet away at the edge of the pond, watching him with eyes that flickered between shades of blue, amber, a pale pink, and streaks of various other colors.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Zeran]

OOCSorry for the wait.

"Am I alright?" he emphasised each word as he spoke, testing each as it left his mouth. Something didn't feel right to him. The words weren't familiar to him, as if he hadn't spoken them, but someone else had. Zeran's gaze snapped towards the man in the water again, dropping to his knees and crawling towards the edge of the pond, dragging his still-reattaching arm through the soil of the park. The man was closer now, gazing back blankly at him as Zeran spoke, confused at the words himself. "Did you ask me if I was alright?" The man shook his head, looking at the newcomer that joined him. They always came in pairs. If there was another in with the man, there was another with Zeran. He turned with the man in the water, finding the partner to the one that had joined him in the pond. A dainty woman stood a small distance away from him, watching him from the water's edge. She must've been the one to ask. It made sense, as the words had not felt like he or the man had spoken them, and she was the only other one close enough to hear. He smiled up at her kindness. "Alright? Am I alright? I am alright. Am I?" he looked at his still limp arm. He had slowed the reattachment from lack of concentration, but his arm was slowly working it's way back into its physical body. "I think I'm alright. My arm is numb, I'm just trying to get feeling back into it. Should take me a few minutes. I should be alright!" Pushing off the edge of the pond, Zeran sat back on his haunches and used the moment to carry himself up onto his in one movement. His legs felt as if they were going limp now. That wasn't good, he needed those to walk. He stomped on the ground, waking his lazy legs up again, and walked towards the dainty girl. "Much appreciated for asking, my lady." he said, stopping short in front of her and looking her up and down. She did not look to have the body of a fighter, though it was still a nice one, so it was unlikely she was going to be a threat anytime soon. Hopefully not enough to need him to rip his arm out again. Once this season was enough, twice was pushing it. Twice in the same day was insanity he had never delved into before. Might be fun testing that depth one day. Using his functioning left-hand, Zeran picked up his almost attached, limp right-hand and offered it to the woman. "It's getting there, but I still need it to shake hands. I'm Zeran. May I ask the name of my kind eavesdropper?"

[Svasra]

Svasra waited patiently for the man to notice her, though her curiosity spiked as he leaned towards the water, phrasing a question to his reflection. Does it talk back? Such would not surprise her in the land where magic and reality seemed to mingle intimately near. Looking at her own reflection, she tilted her head, the mirror image smiling back as it tilted its own. Svasra wondered what it would be like to have her reflection speak back ... odd, exciting, or ... terrifying?

His words brought her back though, and Svasra turned to face the man as he rose. The slight sway made her take a step forwards, though he stomped his feet as though to regain feeling and made his way. He seemed kind, though the glance that took her body made her feel vulnerable. Perhaps it wasn't wise to wander off alone ... either way, he offered a limp hand to shake, causing a gentle laugh to ripple out of Svasra's petite frame. He spoke Common well, a few words slurring together to cause confusion, but the young lady was able to get what he said for the most part.

Svasra Snowsong looked at the man as he had looked at her before responding, ever-changing gaze observing his cloaked frame. With his expressive face, and wide eyes though, Svasra found him appearing quite friendly, his disheveled hair a small cause of amusement. "I am Svasra Snowsong, happy to meet you," she said lyrically, curtsying instead of taking his hand as it seemed obvious he could not move it. Twitching her skirt to flare, she managed a decent grace, rising with a smile. "Were you talking to, ah, your ..." she frowned as she lacked the Common to speak fluently, pausing as she filled in the gaps, "image? Image in the lake?"

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Zeran]

As she fell down into her curtsy, Zeran's hand went up to his face. There must've been something wrong with it. Svasra hadn't taken it. It turned this way and that, back to its original position a multitude of times, but the perpetrator continued to remain hidden. There was only one thing that could travel at such speeds to remain undetected, and deter someone from getting close to it. Spider! Reflexes are usually considered the body's way of preventing further damage to itself. Pulling away from a boiling pot over a camp fire, or from the edge of a sword you had just run your finger down. Zeran had had his better days, but there had been worse as well. And whilst all that was true, the lack of concious thought required was a cause for concern. His arm snapped wildly to the side with enough force that blood pooled in his hand, attempting to rocket it from his wrist. The snap felt like it was going to break his elbow like a twig as well. Couldn't have asked for a better time for the astral arm to reattach than when a reflex kicked in. Any spider that had taken purchase would only have just discovered it could fly with enough momentum, but Zeran questioned how safe a reflex actually was. The flurry of cloth did well to grab his attention. Svasra rose with a smile etched onto her face, as her skirt came to rest gently around her ankles once more. Zeran looked down at his own cloak. Could he do the same with as much skill? He was about to find out. The cloth felt rough in his own hands, and was probably heavier than the fabric that the skirt was made from. Simple solution, use more of a twist to get it going. Zeran listened as Svasra began to ask her question, though he didn't turn to acknowledge her. There was a test going on now, and he was going to discover the answer to his own question. He just needed the right amount of bend in the knee to get enough spin. "Image?" he asked as heard the end, but his body seemed to impatient to wait any longer. Twisting his torso, his arm lifted with the grace of a dog's back leg as his leg's straightened. He flew backwards, making sure not to hit Svasra in the face, though any injury would more than likely be her fault for being to close. There had been too much bend in the knees. That had become apparent as he continued to turn and scramble to not lose his footing. He soon came to a halt, but the world around seemed to be having too much fun turning as fast as it could. His head fell into his hands, only to find his feet spinning independently of his body. There was some sort of comfort laying on the ground. At least you spun with it in one piece, rather than in sections. He couldn't have managed a more graceless fall if he tried. "He was more talking to me," Zeran spoke from the ground, watching the wild djed drift about him, carrying prismflies, "I was just responding to him." The ground was cold, and Zeran tried his best not to swallow anything has he inhaled. "I bet he's laughing at me at the moment, isn't he?" Zeran couldn't see Svasra from where he fell, only the dip into the pond and anything beyond it. He'd get up in a chime, when the landscape didn't look to be rolling like Laviku's roughest waves.

[Svasra]

Svasra watched the man with a widened gaze as he twitched and moved in a seemingly erratic manner. Is he ... all there? she couldn't help but wonder, gaze flickering as they stared at him. Even so, his attention seem to draw back to her as she rose from her curtsy, an expression on his face of mixed curiosity and thoughtfulness. Her question hung awkwardly between them as Zeran busied himself with his cloak, studying it with determination.

Then he ... bowed? Svasra took an unconscious step back as he flared out his cloak, somehow tripping with the wrenching movement and falling backwards with a small scramble. Though the man managed to maintain his upright position, he was obviously dizzy and disorientated. "... Are you okay?" she asked meekly, reiterating the question from before. She had to admit, this Zeran was definitely an interesting creature.

She wasn't sure what caused his movement, or how his thoughts filtered through that odd mind, but he was undoubtedly fascinating. He seemed harmless, and must have some very good story to tell with a reflection that talks back. Perhaps it was a trick he could teach her?

Svasra drew her eyes downwards as Zeran spoke, surprised to find him on the ground. Did he manage to fall completely? "Laughing at you? ... I cannot hear it," she said as she crouched down beside the man, smiling. Kneeling on the ground, Svasra seemed content to settle on the park's dirt. Pausing for a moment, Svasra spoked softly, as though a raised voice might interrupt the aura of the park. "How do ... can you hear your image? Teach me? Can you teach me?"

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Zeran]

Was it possible to get seasick on land? The constant rolling of the landscape, even as he remained motionless, was doing something. It didn't sit well with his stomach even thinking about it. The boat journey out of Riverfall had been soothing when the weather mirrored the water's surface. And anybody scrubbing the decks found they would have to ask Zeran to roll over at the least when the seas got rough. Turned out that he wasn't much of a sailor. Neither did land agree with him if it was moving. Good thing it didn't do so very often. "You mean he's left already?" Svasra came into view as she knelt beside him. Even she was spinning with the world. If she couldn't hear him from the water then he had disappeared to wherever he goes when not talking with Zeran. Either that, or he was hiding around some corner listening in. Zeran had caught him doing that a few times. He'd disappear but reappear instantly when Zeran tried to see if he was gone. He was quick. That much could be said. He almost matched Zeran move for move. Almost. "Those are some really nice clothes." You said that out-loud. "Ah." His eyes jerked to Svasra, though his head made no effort to follow, brushing off the fact he had been thinking aloud again. "Hear? How can I? I've got these two things on the sides of my head. They're called ears. He speaks, I hear him. You should have two on your head as well. I hope you do anyway, otherwise you might want to see a doctor. Wait, you can still hear me, so there must be nothing wrong. We're fine! You've stopped moving so we're fine!" Zeran groaned, dragging each limb as it refused to respond fast enough across the floor. The ground was very helpful when it wasn't moving, he managed to push himself up and onto his legs without much hassle, mimicking as she had knelt next to him. "Can I teach you?" Confusion etched every feature on his face. The request seemed odd to him. How do you teach someone to hear? Wasn't it something you grew up knowing? How did you teach for that matter? "It's not something I think I can teach. It's your choice if you hear what others have to say or not. Could it be that you've ignored them for so long that they refuse to say anything anymore?"

[Svasra]

Svasra did not really know what to make of this strange man, whether he was insane, or simply saw what she could not. Perhaps he was an enlightened being lost within his own trance of what he tried to separate from what was viewed by the rest of the world. Then, she really should be quite honored to be in his presence, should she not? Exposed to his wondrous imagination and mind, hearing the distant ramblings of his unknown wisdom! He was a creature fallen from whatever pedestal he had been placed on, forever left to meagerly work midst the ruins and slowly scramble his way upwards to the greatness he had left behind! Oh, what story! What sorrow!

His compliment on her clothing startled her though, jerking back slightly as his gaze landed on hers. Oh, he is just ... insane, Svasra thought resignedly as the man spoke about his ears. Even with her hesitant thoughts on Zeran, her gaze remained warm and friendly, listening with the "two things on the side of her head". Letting out a gentle laugh, Svasra managed to reply, "I can hear you, Sir, I guess we are fine."

Zeran slowly drew himself up to his knees, settling in front of her with the same determined movement and dragging motion as before when he maneuvered his way around. She couldn't help but wonder if he was always so ... methodical with his pace. With Lhavit being such a busy city, alive both day and night, Svasra suspected he must walk closer to the buildings and out of the main way of the passes. Either that, or the city had gotten used to milling around him? Could he be that well known?

Svasra refrained from creating more tales about the man in front of her, instead turning her attention to his suggestion on why her own reflection never spoke back. "Hmm, I do hope not. Shall, ah, we see?" she inquired as she rose, gesturing for Zeran to follow her back to the shoreline. Kneeling there, Svasra peered at the young lady that was directly across.

It had been a while since Svasra studied herself, and there was no better time than now, since her reflection was supposed to speak, was it not? Drawing her gaze away from her ever-changing eyes, Svasra examined the twining cloth she wore, seemingly contemplating whether it suited her as much as the seamstresses bragged. Then again, she was so used to dressing up for negative temperatures, showing so much skin was bound to seem odd to her. The man complimented them though, that had to count for something!

"Oh, miss Svasra, in, um, the waters. ..." Svasra paused, taking the time to reach into her memories to draw forth the words she needed, "F-forgive me. Mhm, forgive me if I have ... I have uh ... offend ... offend you. I ask you ... speak back ... and let us be, um, friends." Looking over to Zeran, she whispered, "Do you thinked that will work?"

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Zeran]

Zeran remained behind Svasra, following her to the pond where she knelt down. Her words were definitely apologetic for any wrongs she may or may not have committed, and the request to be friends seemed reasonable enough, but when she asked if it would work, Zeran could only shrug. He didn't know. Many had asked about him talking to the man in the water, but none had asked if he could show them how to talk to them before. "I'm not sure, Lady Svasra." He didn't know why it wouldn't, but he had no experiences, besides his own, to compare with. "My friend was the one who started talking to me. I was trying to work something out, he overheard me and offered his own thoughts. She looks about as unsure what to say as you do. Perhaps she is shy?" This situation was a new one to him, and Zeran really didn't know what to do. He paced in a circle, only coming to a stop when he felt the world beginning to spin again. Once today was enough. How to get a friend to start talking. Did all of them even want to talk? Or did some believe their help wasn't needed? That they were doing just fine on their own? The man was waiting in the waters as Zeran approached. Asking where he went could wait for another time. Right now, Zeran needed advice or information, whichever the man had for him would be appreciated. "Why did you start talking to me? And why won't she start talking?" The lazy gesture of swinging his arm in the direction of Svasra's was enough for the man to know who he meant. The man slowly turned to look at the woman in his waters looking her up and down, then looked towards Svasra herself. "I started talking with you because you needed someone to talk with. You needed someone to bounce ideas off. You needed someone to take half of what you had, to share in your life." Zeran stood and listened to him as he spoke. "Not everyone talks to us because not everyone needs us. In those instances, we are happy to follow as you enjoy your life, but will always be there to show you just how well you are doing and just how much you have grown and changed because of it." He nodded towards Svasra's friend. "If she doesn't talk, it's because both her and Lady Svasra are happy with things in their lives. She'll talk when she's needed." Zeran stood, staring at the waters. "What in Lhex's name are you talking about?" The man just smirked, raising an eyebrow, as if Zeran should know exactly what he was talking about. Zeran turned to Svasra. "Did that make any sense to you, Lady Svasra?" He was going to wait for an answer, before another idea came to mind. "Is she telepathic? Only you can hear her?"

[Svasra]

ApologiesI am very sorry with how long it took me to write this, thank you so much for being so patient with me!

Zeran seemed as puzzled as she that her reflection stayed stubbornly silent, pacing and musing with ideas as he went. "Shy?" Svasra echoed, the word almost foreign. Not only because it was in Common, but because the idea of shyness was fairly new, especially to Svasra. She peered at her reflection, and wondered if that was perhaps the case. "Shy, me in waters? But ... we are same. One and same. No need to be shy," she chimed softly.

As the man knelt beside her, Svasra looked over as he spoke to his reflection. Watching the water ripple, Svasra didn't see the figure move except for when Zeran did, his mouth only opening in sync with Zeran's words. Yet, Zeran seemed to understand something, as he rose with a curious expression and asked if Svasra had heard. I cannot hear anything, yet Zeran claims he speaks. It made her wonder if reflections could talk at all, or whether they were the product of just a lonely person with a bit of an imagination.

"Telepathic?" Svasra asked, brow furrowing in confusion. She had not heard of such word in Common, and didn't know what it's Vani equivalent would be. Though, Zeran continued like she had not spoken at all, and his words clarified it a bit. Telepathic? Only I can hear her ... is that what such word means? "This ... telepathic. I think yourself in waters is. I cannot hear anything he says," Svasra said with a gesture towards Zeran's reflection. "Though ... I cannot hear mine either. Perhaps I am ... what is word ... unhearing ... deaf! Yes, deaf to these people in water," she mused, rising with a last look at her watery self.

What would it be like to have a talking reflection? Dragul spoke to shadows, so the water speaking back could not be that far off, could it? Svasra wondered absently if Dragul spoke to shadows often if he got lonely. Even so, he didn't know why he could, except that it was linked to the gnosis of Akajia. Perhaps the Goddess of Night granted him the ability so he could have some company on his lonely travels? She couldn't help but speculate if that was the case, or if it was some secret agenda of the divine once more.

Looking to Zeran, Svasra smiled with a small shrug. "Maybe takes time, to become friends," she said lightly, blinking her multi-hued gaze. For a moment, Svasra studied the man, a mixture of amusement and curiosity prominent in her judgement. "Have you, ah, lived here? In Lhavit? Long time?" With a man who could speak to his reflection, trip after bowing, and still be formal to refer to her as 'Lady', he must be an interesting storyteller. Sometimes, the most insane ones are.

Their perception was quite different than anyone else's, filled with beauty, horror, suspicion, love, and everything in between at, with, or from things no one else would glance at. A walk through a park might become the most epic adventure. Svasra could weave a story to seem like a tapestry worthy of a castle, but it was amplified, and a forced turn of perception. With the imaginative, which was a significantly kinder name to them, it was simply what they experienced. How they went through their lives. And, somehow, that made it all the more exhilarating.

"Can you tell me a story?"

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"