Closed Penmanship is the Key (Drusilla)

[Dovinya]

"Ah, that is.. disappointing. It is a shame that there are so few people receptive to our kind" Dovinya contemplated out loud, a semblance of sadness tugging at the corners of his lips briefly, before he moved to regard Drusilla more fully. It was truly a shame that his kin where persecuted for simply doing what was necessary to survive, though he certainly wouldn't expect a sunborn to understand that, as selfish as they tend to be. Maybe one day they would come to their senses, and see reason. Likely not anytime soon, but he could still hope. He nodded for her to continue. "Of course"

The way she continued the conversation put at quite a bit unease though, for he certainly hadn't expected her story to take such a turn! In public no less! Dovinya managed to keep his mouth shut, but only just, aching at to tell her the truth that lie in their very blood. He resisted however, not wanting to be rude to this woman that had chosen to open up to him, a patience that he'd been working on in his work in the temple that suited him equally well here. Still he could not refrain from looking quite shocked at the whole admission, his golden eyes wide as a nervous energy built up within him, all coming to its peak when her story ended, and he realized she was likely waiting for him to say something, or at least react.

He stole a few moments to compose himself by smiling in a way he thought to be comforting, while stepping back to lean against a shelf. "My condolences for your loss" Dovinya spoke softly after it seemed several moments had past, awkwardly pausing every other breath as he thinking of what to say as he said it at this point. "It must have been hard.. to see death so up close, and at such a young age..

[Drusilla]

Drusilla smiled sadly, "I can tell what I said angered you and I apologise. But, I've seen these issues from both sides. I want our race to survive, but we must find a better way. I've gone over things, Pre-labor deliveries, healers, even kinds of drugs. Our salvation might just be healers, if we could find ones strong enough. I read that they can't decline any race, religion, or sex. We need to beseech the goddess Rak'keli!" She took a few steps, "Think of it, while most women Symenestra will use surrogates if the women learned themselves healing, the surrogates could be healed and released. In time some Symenesta might feel save enough to attempt birthing themselves with healers on hand. If there's any chance it will work, we should try with all our might! Next summer I believe I shall make a visit to the goddess' island." Drusilla thought about it and then again. Yes, why wouldn't healers work?! If it would save lives, she would give it a try. She looked at Dovinya and smiled. "I give you my word, I will learn healing and I shall give my all to stop this death and madness." She didn't truly hate what she was, some things just needed to change.

[Dovinya]

Through it all he stood passively still, yet inside he was quite perturbed by her zealousness. Her fervor reminded him all too keenly that he was without his lash, making him feel very vulnerable. Drusilla's passion reminded him of how Nalessa had turned on him after expressing herself, and he felt almost as if Drusilla might do the same. At least he had the benefit of a rather open public space this time, and it didn't seem as if Drusilla carried any weapons about her.

Besides one who spoke of healing so reverently couldn't be possessed of such intent to harm, could they?

He dismissed the dark thoughts with a hard swallow, and focused instead on her eyes while he listened. It helped somewhat to quiet the nervous energy that was mounting within him, but not by much. There was still a opinionated Esterian standing before him, and speaking none too quietly. Dovinya could already feel the eyes upon them, could already hear the gossip that this conversation was certainly going to start. What could he say to what she said?

"We can survive Drusilla. Trust Viratas in this, for it is he whom knows blood and heritage better than any distant goddess ever could.." He let his words hang in the silence to follow. His heart beat faster at the prospect of hearing what she would say next.

[Drusilla]

The tension in the air was thick and Drusilla could feel it all to well. "I'm sorry," Dru spoke softly and looked to the floor,"I guess, it bothers me the most that we just dump the bodies. As if they did nothing. They are keeping us alive. I just wish they were shown some respect. That's all." She gave a sad smile, "I come back to Kalinor and alienate myself to the first person who is nice enough to talk to me.. Talk about being socially awkward... Don't worry you'll be rid of me soon enough, I'm just here for the summer." She said a little depressed and embarrassed. Drusilla was looking forward to going home. She felt stranger here than in Wind Reach. Dru twirled her hair around her finger. If only she were in Wind Reach in the craft gallery sewing or weaving something. Or maybe practicing her embroidery. She needed to be working. Working made everything better and made emotions easier to deal with. It took up all her attention and time leaving none for her to feel or even remember her loneliness. "So," Drusilla sighed, "Now that I've told you my past to the point you surely detest me... What's your story?"

[Dovinya]

He wanted to say so much more, to perhaps convince her that the world wasn't at harsh as it seemed. To tell her a way different than that of the Estrians, but looking upon this worldly symenestra, he wasn't so sure his words would have any effect so he welcomed the change in conversation.

"Mine... three years ago I found myself a marked of Viratas after being stabbed by a surface walker. Viratas got me through that trying time, for I was bedridden for days.. Since then I've found work at the temple, which is why I find myself here actually.." He shifted uncomfortably at the admission, unused to talking about that fateful day. "Not so interesting a story, eh?"

[Drusilla]

"Oh please, not so interesting! You met a Deity!" She paused, "But I guess I sort of did...Not directly...Ivak's release you see. Broke a few bones." Drusilla waved it off and a sparkle returned to her eyes, "But a god appeared and marked you! I have to know more!" "Oh, but you need to bring these tomes back to the temple right? Can I come along? I'll help carry some books. We can walk and talk. Her last sentence came out more like a question. She wanted to talk to Dovinya so much more, however she didn't want to interfere with his work. Kalinor had been a lonely trip. Dovonya was the first real conversation she had found and enjoyed.

[Dovinya]

Taking a step back against the reassuring support of the bookshelf, Dovinya rubbed the back of his neck with his slender hand as he tried not to buckle under the pressure of such overt attention. He wasn't used to people taking such an interest in him, and after his outburst at the Hunter's Gather, he was feeling more averse than usual towards social situations like this. It was almost too much to handle, getting back into the sway of daily life, and having gained so much unwanted attention since his release from captivity. At least this woman seemed not to know much about that..

Returning tomes? He mouthed to himself silently, heedless of how it might have appeared to her before he remembered suddenly his reason for being here in the first place. How could he have forgotten that he was expected to return to the temple! "Oh, no I came here actually to have some tomes copied for the temple, but they won't be finished for a few days" Throughly flustered, Dovinya spoke rather hastily now, moving a few paces away from the shelf, and making thoroughly unnecessary hand gestures as he spoke. "I am expected back there though, and soon"

The last few words he mouthed instead of giving voice, as he turned his attention more fully to the task of setting the books in their proper places, and thankfully their were few left. He moved about awkwardly as he did so though, still firmly aware that Drusilla was there and that he was engaged in a conversation with her, though the problem was that he had no idea what to say. Finding the proper places for the books allowed him to delay confronting that particular issue, but it was only a brief respite for once he'd returned all of the tomes to their particular area, he was left there standing awkwardly before the woman.

Shifting uncomfortably where he stood, he at last decided to reply. "You can still come if you like, even though there are no tomes to help carry. I'd appreciate your company on the climb back."

[Drusilla]

"In all honesty, that would be great! I want to visit my mother while I'm here. Hopefully none of my family will be there, but then again they may not recognize me anymore..." Drusilla's voice got lower and softer as she went on. Running into her estranged family was not on her list of things to do for today. She knew one day she would have to face them, just not today. "The temple isn't too crowded normally at this time or day?" She bit her lip hoping no pun intended that it was dead at this time. It wouldn't be so bad if she bumped into any of her siblings, she had left while they were young so maybe she would be a random stranger.... Then again, she might not recognize them, most certainly not the twins. How old were they now? 14? 15? Somewhere around there. That meant her younger brother, the middle child of the family was 18.

[Dovinya]

Considering the question briefly, he stroked his chin, for it could go either way as far as the temple was concerned. Occasionally, people did find time apart from their work to pay their respects to Viratas, which made for a busy day but more often, there was a steady presence in the temple. "Good, you needn't worry, there aren't that many around the temple at this time" I know how family can be.. he thought to himself with a slight grimace, though he quickly shifted his features into a small smile directed towards her before turning in place and making for the exit.

With company on the journey back, he felt a bit self conscious at his pace as he climbed hand over hand, foot after foot across the silk rope, and had to focus on not being too hasty with his movements. "So, if you don't mind telling me, what was this 'Wind Reach' like?" He decided to ask, before chancing a look over his shoulder, if only to keep his mind off of his delayed arrival.

[Drusilla]

Drusilla gave a look and sigh of relief, "That's wonderful that no one will be there! I just... I'm just not ready to explain things to them. An unexplained eleven year disappearance is not something you clear up in a day..." She mumbled to herself more that to Dovinya. How did one return to their beloved father after leaving for eleven years without a trace? Drusilla was still trying to figure it all out. It would be the homecoming of a ghost. Drusilla was climbing at a steady pace following Dovinya. Lost in thought, the male Symenestra's voice caught her off guard. "Hmn? Oh, what's Wind Reach like? Well it's the volcano that Ivak was sealed in, it's really never been the same after that happened we're still rebuilding. But in the summer it's beautiful, with all the flowers and the lakes. It makes this place look so dark though!" She had grown accustom to the sun and it made the cave feel so cold. How did she ever live here? "Hey Dovinya, do you ever go to the surface? Just to be up there? In the sun?"