Completed [Lakeshore] Escaping The Noise

[Vanari]

Fall, Day 48, 513

Free...

The air was soft and cool upon her brow and cheeks as they sailed lazily across the lake. Heart bursting with blissful serenity, Vanari pushed a few errant curls from her face and watched as the prow of the ferry cut through the water like a knife to butter. Waves and ripples wiggled outwards from beneath her feet, which she dangled over the sides, finding the proximity to the churning waters both exhilarating and calming all at once. It was sort of like standing on a crate in the middle of a bustling crowd. All that energy swirling and mixing beneath you, close enough to taste but never quite touching you.

That is, unless you decided to dive into it.

One look at Ria told the Vantha it would probably be best not to do such a reckless thing. She knew her new friend--or, were they something more? Bah, not a time to think about that--disliked inconveniences, and forcing the entire ferry to stop midway because she had decided to leap overboard would be a very troublesome inconvenience indeed.

Besides, they would have plenty of time to splash around once they reached the other side. Assuming, that is, something wasn't lurking in the deep, waiting to chomp off a limb or two when they least expected it. Vanari wasn't all too familiar with what mysteries surrounded the already much too mysterious city, but it was probably safe to assume people tended to stay within Ravok's walls for good reason.

It had been at least a bell or two since they first left shore, the sun still pale and crawling its way to the pinnacle of noon. At first it was a simple matter to stay entertained, watching the other passengers and whispering amongst themselves and letting the water run like silk through their fingers. But, eventually such activities grew old, and now they were both quiet and a bit bored. It was an odd sensation, really, having no pressing matters weighing on their shoulders. Vanari supposed that was a good thing, since that was one of the main reasons they had decided to make this trip together.

The Vantha rested her chin on her arms, propped up against ferry's rails. It had started as a joke, but the idea grew more and more appealing as the days went on. Getting away from the noise, the dirt, the crowds for a change. Breathing in stillness and openness. Basking in each other's presence without prying eyes...

Vanari ducked her face into her sleeves, hiding a sudden blush and tiny smile. Never had she suspected she would find herself involved with one of Ionu's favored in more ways than one. She still didn't quite know what to make of their circumstances, but so far the day had been delightfully carefree and it bode well for the rest of their unconventional holiday.

Swept up in a moment of contentedness, she lifted her face back up to the glistening waters and found herself humming an old, bittersweet tune. It was a song reserved for days huddled around the hearth and loved ones preparing to strike out on their own, a song of being unable to see the future, of letting time choose our fates as it may.

Vanari had heard it many times, but only once was it sung to her and her alone, through the voices of faded faces. Only once, a long, long time ago...

" "

[Kit Rowan]

She wore Ria's seeming today, dark hair, green eyes, freckles and all. She had picked out a warm, gray cloak that insulted her against the fall chill in spite its size; a bit too big. It had been her uncle's once, before he gave it to her.

Kit sat in her place on the ferry, wriggling her toes, arcing her back, twisting her ankles in a vain effort to appease her body's hunger for action, for momentum. Cities had been her playgrounds since childhood, the stench of humanity the aroma of life and the narrow eyes and high walls the pillars that held up the sky! Masonry more natural than trees, cobble more comfortable than grass beneath her feet.

But in Alvadas, the city walls had been almost more metaphor than reality, irregular and irrational, in some places low enough for Kit to tip-toe over the top, more a barrier to the illusory magic caged there than the passage of the mortal races. But in Ravok it was not hard to feel . . . trapped. Lake as far as the eye could see in all directions and Rhysol's haunting presence hanging over in unnaturally clear skies and still waters. Kit was not one to get claustrophobic, but Kit had thought a trip outside of the chaos would serve her well on a day free from Valerius and the Nitrozian's capacious whims.

Perhaps it would, but the trip, gods! The trip was too much. Boredom laid siege to the castle of her mind like the armies of old Suva beating on Kova's gates. Kit mumbled displeasure, shifted in her est and rubbed wearily at her eyes, her body begging for motion, her mind begging for stimulation. At least, when she turned and saw Vanari hanging over the edge, feet kicking, she got a little of the later.

Time had been an enemy to Kit since freedom, an enemy she waged constant war against, day after day struggling to push through onto the next bell, joy tempered by the sobriety of experiencing it alone. Now, with Ari here, Kit could just slip on Ria's face and enjoy an evening. It was a tremendous relief; even if Kit was not entirely sure what they were to each other. The Vantha's hair shimmered through many colors under Syna's clear light, and when she turned toward her Kit saw the orange glint of excitement in her eyes. Kit gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes and small smile of her own.

Kit dared to scoot closer to Ari. Proximity to the pretty Vantha was perhaps the one good thing she could squeeze out of this ferry ride, and Kit was not about to turn it down. And then Ari began to sing.

It was a language Kit did not even vaguely recognize, the sound of it strange and beautiful to her ears. By no means was Vanari the greatest lyricist Kit had ever heard, but by the same measure her voice held, raised and lowered as it was supposed too . . . It was more than Kit could say for her own voice. She waited for the Vantha to finish her song, reached up and tapped at Ari's neck with a finger. "A singer too," Kit said, her head tilted to the side, one eyebrow raised. "You're just full of surprises."

[Vanari]

Vanari buried half her face in her arms again, the tune abruptly cut short. She didn't think Ria had been listening to her, and the unexpected compliment made her heart flip in embarrassment.

"Me? A singer? Hardly," she lightly scoffed, then turned to face her companion, who had scooted up next to her. It was different, seeing Ria under the sunshine, without the rough, dingy backdrop of city life. Though Vanari knew Ria felt at home in tight spaces and lofty buildings, she was still glad the nimble illusionist had agreed to to come out for a breather. As mind-numbingly unstimulating as this ferry ride was--and as beholden to her heritage as she personally was--the Vantha genuinely believed everything looked better under gentle sunlight.

"Pretty much everyone in Avanthal learns to sing; it's just what we do, especially if we're all gathered together, and if there's a story to be told. If such a habit proves anything at all, it's that anyone--and I mean anyone--can sing if they do it often enough."

She gave Ria a mischievous look, then grinned. "In fact, what about you? I bet you've got a lovely voice. Here, let me teach you the words; it's a good song for adventurers like ourselves!"

Vanari cleared her throat a bit, rolled her shoulders and neck with a crack, crack, then began the song once more in earnest. For Ria's benefit, she sang the words in Common, converting them on the spot with whatever sounded best. She stopped a few times to correct herself, and to add little changes here and there to tailor the song for her friend as was custom, but for the most part it translated quite smoothly. With the new additions, the song seemed to take on a new life, one that was still somewhat bittersweet but also whimsical and daring as well.

"Something from the south flies swift,
All a hurry as it blows our way.
It carries scents of things to come,
And tarries little, unmeant to stay.

Betimes it takes with it a friend,
A soul of courage, wit, and charm,
Her green eyes do flash when mischief's done,
Though she'd rather bleed than do me harm.

The rest that stand ashore must wave,
And say their last goodbyes,
For the southern wind doth blow away,
All those who dare break ties."

She beamed at Ria, then said, "Alright, your turn."

[Kit Rowan]

It was fun, making the older girl blush, her eyes always flickering in color; purple now, then green, then orange again. Perhaps it was just the Alvad in her, but there was a beauty in the way that her eyes slipped from one color to another, the way her dark hair seemed to shift in colors, like Ionu's wings.

Green eyes, she said? It was both the color of Ria's eyes and the color of Ari's own when she had a clever thought in her heart. Was she talking about Ria? Herself? Both? Kit felt herself blushing either way, inched closer until she was less than a hand from her friend. "Okay," Kit said, grinning slantways as Vanari invited her to sing. "Just remember; you brought this on yourself."

Kit tried to imitate her friend, but while Ari was barely practice Kit was utterly without guidance. Her soft voice and low volume her only saving grace; she did not sing so much as speak, her words wavering in all the wrong ways. At the high points of her shuddered and cracked, and at the low points it went droning and monotone.

At the end of the song Kit shrugged, threw her feet over the edge like her friend and kicked at the water. She had seen the way that Ravokians would treat citizens; if they fell over the edge, the ferry would not turn around. It would keep on moving toward the shore, and leave them to flounder and die in the water. But life was a dull thing without risks.

"I never really learned to sing," Kit said. "A lot of things, but never really singing." Kit had dedicated her performing soul to physical things; acrobatic flair, speed . . . Her performing arts found its roots in her body, between the folds of her muscle. Not in her voice. "It's a beautiful song, though."

[Kaie]

For someone who spent days on end travelling the wilderness, without so much as a petching road, she really should've been a bit more grateful. It had been over half a season before she had seen a roof over her head. Granted the stables reeked of horse shyke, but still it counted didn't it? Regardless, the Myrian woman looked utterly miserable where she sat on her borrowed cot. Perhaps she even appeared halfway to insanity. In all honesty, she probably was.

Kaie sighed deeply, leaning forward with her head in her hands. The heels of her palm pressed into her eyes and her feet tapped the ground in an unsteady rhythm. She couldn't take it anymore, all this sitting around. Certainly there wasn't much for her to do in a barn attic but there had to be something. Anything to take her away from her idleness. Goddess, she'd gladly help Darian and Renley in their stable work than stare at the dull brown walls any longer. Kaie could hear a few of the horses whinny and stamp their hooves impatiently. Maybe they were feeling just as restless as the savage.

With unbridled resolve she sprung up onto her feet, and looped her wrist through the strap of her pack and belt. All but storming down the stairs, Kaie hurriedly attached her belt to her waist. It was just when she reached the end of the stairs and swung the straps of her backpack onto her shoulders, that she heard a voice call out to her.

"Maybe 'snot my place ta ask, M'lady, but where migh' ye be goin'?"

Ugh. Just when she thought she might be able to give the two slaves the slip. She had to hand it to Remis, he certainly knew who was best at keeping their eye on things. Funny that a slave of any kind would show loyalty toward a master. Was it fear or gratefulness that perhaps spurred Darian to question her? Or did he worry she might be snatched up and enslaved just as he might've been? Either way if anything did happen to her it would probably be on him. She might not have known much about the life of a slave, but she could guess Remis's wrath wasn't something she'd like to experience herself.

"Just thought I'd warm up, you know? I haven't gotten around to buying a proper coat for this weather," The Myrian replied with a passive shrug. She even flashed him a reassuring smile for good measure. Darian narrowed his old eyes skeptically at her. Just as his cracked lips parted to protest her, a fall breeze whipped through the stable right on cue. A short shiver raced down the spines of both old and young.

"Oh! I'm sure Ren's got his self a warm coat for ya ta borrow..."

"I'm sure he does! I'll be back before you know it," Kaie said with finality, coating her words with an unusual softness. It might've been truly believable if not for the recklessness any outsider could read all over her face. Before Darian could give her an answer, she was already gone. Hand on her hilt, strolling into the brightness of midday.

Shyke! I forgot about the other one!

Kaie cursed herself under her breath just before veering off behind the bulky, opened door. Her back pressed against the wood where she stood in the shadows. Slowly, she leaned out from her hiding place until she could see around it. Her eyes scanned the world around her. Searching for Renley, the other slave stable hand. He was the one she really had to worry about. He was a bit younger and far more intelligent than Darian. He would certainly see past Kaie's story, too. Being caught by him would be a problem. Luckily when she finally find the man, he was leading a colt into the pasture. His back facing the opposite direction was enough of an invitation as any to get moving. So she did.

Scrambling along the siding of the building, Kaie didn't stop until she hit the woods. Until the crispness of the air surrounded her like a blanket, wrapping her in the aroma of fallen leaves and wood fires. That's when she finally felt the immense weight lift from her shoulders. Finally she felt free. It certainly wasn't the jungle, but it was a step in the right direction. Her instincts became alive once more. Her muscles tightened beneath bronzed skin. And for once under the light of Syna's embrace, she genuinely smiled.

[Vanari]

It was pleasing to hear Ria sing in her raw, honest way, and to not have struggled to convince her to do it in the first place. She was brave, this one, and oddly sincere for someone who prayed to the god or goddess of illusion and trickery--the irony of which was not lost upon the Vantha.

Vanari clapped lightly, beaming with delight. "That's what's marvelous about it--you don't need to learn, just to do! It's just part of who we are as living, breathing beings who cry and laugh and hurt and mend. Though certainly, there are ways to improve..."

She brought a hand to her face, pinched the bridge of her noise right between her eyes, and scrunched up her face as she made what was probably the most obnoxious, nasally voice ever to grace the ferry and its unsuspecting passengers. "See, this is our small space! We sing louder and project the best when sound comes through here instead of just our throats. It looks stupid I know, but it really helps! Watch..."

Vanari proceeded to belt out a whole succession of nyah, nyah, nyah's, her face still scrunched in ridiculous proportions. She kicked her feet harder and swayed side to side as she practiced, going up higher and higher into the scale. As always, it was difficult, as she was only a beginner, but she could feel the familiar cold spot of that special space, and could hear her voice sound just a little crisper and more forward to her ears.

The other passengers were shooting slightly annoyed looks now, but the Vantha paid them no mind. As soon as she had gone as high as her voice could reach, she unpinched her fingers and her ugly nyah-nyahing sank back into the softer tunes and words of the farewell song.

This time, though, her voice was clearer, brighter. It required a little less effort to project, and act of singing felt more comfortable and not so strenuous.

Then she cut off abruptly, grinning now at Ria with a mixture of embarrassment and exhilaration. "I know you're just dying to try it now..." Up ahead of the ferry, the shore was finally coming into view tick by crawling tick, but they were still a ways off. Vanari continued to stare expectantly at her companion, her eyes raised and lips curled in a comedic combination of foolhardiness and mischief.

[Kit Rowan]

Kit stared at Vanari, her expression locked somewhere between disbelief and mirth. She turned to the other passengers, gave them a good look over. You do realize, Kit thought, if they feel like it . . . They could kill us both, and no one would care? If Vanari didn't, what she was doing was stupid. If she did, it was a unnerving, reckless bravery. Kit laughed as Vanari explored new angles of absurdity, holding a hand up to her mouth and pressing her ankles together. When Vanari was done . . . Was there a change in the way her voice sounded? Kit's eyes went suddenly sober, her face serious as she tried to catch the new sound of her friend's voice.

When Ari turned to Kit, she realized that Ria was supposed to be the brave one, between Vantha and the illusionist. Kit rolled her eyes, blew up into her face, scattering a spare strand of hair and let herself be Ria.

She reached a hand up, found the place where the bridge of her nose fell in with the rest of her skull. Kit followed her friend's example, keenly aware of the sense of eyes on her back as she brought her voice higher and higher and her voice felt like it was cracking even now and . . .

The rest that stand ashore must wave,
And say their last goodbyes,
For the southern wind doth blow away,
All those who dare break ties.

Had it been clearer, cleaner? Kit stopped the end of her song, turned and gave her friend an even smile, though the flush in her cheeks betrayed her. "Nice practice," she said. "But I think if we try anymore someone on the ferry will decide we ought to take a swim." She turned her head toward the rest of the ferry passengers. A great deal were staring. Not many of them were friendly. "Maybe we try more later?"

The shoreline crawled into view, more, more, until at last with every passing tick the land grew closer and solidified into a dock. Kit turned around, took her proper seat and was practically bouncing in it when they finally got to the edge. Kit shot up, halfway ran out of the ferry, to the ferryman's great displeasure. When she hit the docks she broke out into a full out run, her eyes nearly rolling into the back of her head as her muscles realized they were moving and screamed yes! all together.

By the time she had convinced herself to stop, she was at the end of the dock. Instead, she rewarded her body with the good pain of stretches, rolling her ankles, pressing her wrists down against the wood, falling into splits right there on the docks. Gods above, it felt so good!

[Kaie]

Well she was certainly right about the barn being far cooler than outside. It seemed only a few ticks had passed and already she was feeling the warmth of Syna spreading across her bronzed skin. The occasional fall breeze still whipped by with enough pompous to color her cheeks and send a shiver across her skin. Yet few things deterred the savage woman from her impulses, not even a little cool weather. Well maybe a little bit of fire would be nice anyhow...

Her walk had been leisurely and carefree, but her instincts roared to life the farther she ventured from the barn. Muddy brown hues scanned their surroundings diligently like they were practically expecting trouble. With one hand gathering tinder and the other on her gladius hilt, she appeared ready to take on adversity. At least she'd like to have thought so. With the horror stories from travelers who rode from Ravok to Syliras, Kaie knew there was plenty she was yet to see. Not once since she had arrived was there a trace of an unfriendly creature. No carnivorous beast made itself known to her, lurking in the shadows hunting her. Instead all was relatively quiet except for the sing-song of birds above. Sadly, even those were becoming less frequent with the coming winter.

Another breath of wind raced by her, springing goose flesh along her extremities almost spontaneously. A shiver twitched at her muscles, too, until pretty soon her whole body was sent into convulsions for warmth once more. Dropping her decent gathering of fuel in a stack, Kaie crouched upon the earth. Using both hands then, she cleared away the fallen debris and began to dig. Once the hole was deep enough to brave the wind she made another beside it for ventilation. Like a tepee Kaie stacked the short segments of branches and sticks together in the larger hole. Leaves dropped in around the leaning wood to catch the first flames. Luckily this time it only took a few clicks from her flint and steel before the tinder caught, spreading like tiny wildfire to the tepee.

...A Few Chimes Later...

What in the petch was that?

The Myrian woman's head snapped up from her crouched position, one hand clasped around a prospective branch to rekindle her dying fire. Silence. Then she heard it again. Some sort of rustling just ahead of her. As if she couldn't control herself, Kaie took a few steps forward toward the sound. Then like a bolt of lightning, a russet furred hare darted from its hiding place into the forest. The sheer surprise of the animal almost send her reeling back on the defensive. Shyke, she almost even dropped the wood she had accumulated. It was only a moment later an idea sprouted in her mind that resurrected her sense of adventure.

Standing up again, Kaie glanced around with a keener eye. Upon further inspection she discovered the subtle telltale signs of animal activity. Goddess, how could she not have seen them before! The place was practically riddled with bent vegetation from movement, and the previous hare had followed the same route of its predecessors. Even an ignorant fool could tell where she was standing was a hot spot for wildlife. So why not try to catch some?

It took some time to find sticks at the proper length for the trap, but eventually she found what she needed. The first thing she did was test the twitch up. Kaie bent it over and judged the distance, mentally noting how far over it hanged. Once that was established she returned to the previous site.

Finding the rabbit trail again, she drove the long legged stick in the ground. Ensuring the cut on the short leg of the stick was parallel to the ground, Kaie then tied the long leg of the remaining forked stick. When that was through, she tied the long leg of the to a rope secured to the twitch-up. Carefully she cut the short leg so that it might be caught on the short leg of the other forked stick. Finally when all was done she simply pulled the noose down to hang over the trail. Kaie then took a step back to admire her work with a critical eye. All the while she was judging the placement, the trail location, and searching for anything to make her chosen area unideal. When she found nothing of displeasure she bent the snare and placed all the pieces where they belonged. Now she just had to wait for some naive rabbit to hop along and hang itself. Who knows how long that might take?

Walking back through the woods to the warmth of her dying fire, Kaie tossed in the last she had gathered and sat beside it. The flames gobbled up their new fuel hastily like animals themselves. Yet though she had separated herself from all the idleness, all the simplicity that was the barn, she felt insatiable. Kaie had taken her time and made an effort to hone some of her core skills from childhood. Yet now she had naught to do but wait. And to be frank, patience wasn't her strong suit.

All but defeated, Kaie forcefully removed herself from the fire once more. She knew she couldn't sit there and physically watch the animal find its way to her snare. How stupid would she look with her nose peeking around a tree a foot away? The next best thing she could do was find a decent way to bide her time. So after a bit of deliberation she chose to climb. After all it had always been a place of solace for her up above the world. The views were never too bad either. Kaie had come to learn you could understand the world far better from a bird's eye view. In a new environment like the one she was in, searching for comprehension of this forest seemed rational. One tree in particular appeared perfect for supporting her weight and then some.

Kaie leaped up, her fingers eagerly grasping around rounded branches like talons. She muscled her way up into the embrace of the dying leaves. Step by step, she found her way higher and higher up in the earthly anchor. Its branches hardly swaying under her weight, it was almost harder to stop than it was to climb. The hardwood trees here were far more solid than the moist jungle ones at home that branch unpredictably. When she was high enough in the trees to see the edge of the Lake City, Kaie quit her escalation. She felt like a kid again, perched high in the arms of Caiyha like that. Absently her fingers traced the crackled skin of its trunk. All the while she stared out toward the horizon. That's when she saw something new in the distance.

Practically squinting her eyes to battle the distance, it looked to the Myrian woman that it was the edge of some lake. It was enormous in size and something seemed a little...Dark about it. Welcoming in a chaotic, sinister sort of way. No doubt it was the city of Ravok just beyond what she could see. The floating city of the Black Sun must've been out there somewhere. Other than that she saw nothing. Until she did. A new kind of ship she'd never seen before in her life, docking just along the shore...

[Vanari]

Vanari nodded her head along as Ria made her way up in pitch, then beamed as the illusionist mellowed back down to her regular voice, pushing out the notes and words with an ever so slightly clearer and brighter timber. Yes, progress!

"Of course! We can try another time, when people aren't itching to slit our throats."

Once the shoreline finally appeared within plausible reach, Ria returned to her proper seat and Vanari followed suit. The Vantha watched with a sort of muffled amusement her companion fidgeted in anticipation--a true creature of action indeed, straining against the chains of inactivity and ennui like they may as well be physically chafing her. When the the ferry drew close enough to kiss the docks, Ria all but burst from her seat as though she were an arrow knocked as far as the bow would bend, released at the peak of tension in a rush of unstoppable relief and speed.

Vanari's feet pattered against the wooden planks as she caught up to Ria. It was a little chillier here than she'd expected, and she drew her cloak tighter around her, shivering a bit as a cool breeze blew through the fabrics of her clothes.

The Vantha looked around, no longer so certain this was the ideal place for a casual holiday. It looked rather dismal and empty, and the woods beyond were dark and foreboding. In fact, a general, eerie sense of unease seemed to pervade the air, and Vanari tried hard to shrug it off as though it wasn't some obvious premonition of trouble to come.

She was just about to crack a joke about all of Ria's vigorous stretching, when someone suddenly bumped into her, nearly knocking her off the docks and straight in the water.

"Oh, sorry," the former passenger mumbled, then hurried away. Vanari stared at his retreating back suspiciously, her hand instinctively reaching up to the inner lining of her cloak where a portion of mizas remained hidden from public view.

Petch. There was nothing but an open slit now.

For a moment, Vanari stood stock still, utterly at a loss for what to do. Then the stranger glanced back, saw her accusatory expression, and bolted straight for the woods.

"Thief!" she cried, pelting after him.

[Kit Rowan]

Kit stood herself up when Vanari found her way to the end of the dock, but didn't stop stretching, now coiling her arms around the back of her head. She gave her friend a slantwise smile as she made it to the end and as other passengers bustled on by.

She turned her head toward the shoreline and saw what she expected. It was not unlike what she had seen before being dragged to Ravok in chains; a scattered assortment of ramshackle buildings and a small, scattered collection of tents pitched just outside the city, while trees, great and dark lined her vision, bleak as a black omen. It sent a curious chill up the line of her back. "Lovely place, isn't it?" Kit said, perching her hands on her waistline as she scanned the coast. And then some asshole shoved Ari an inch from the dock's edges.

Kit turned to him crossed her arms and scowled, deep as she could manage, and watched him march away. It wasn't till Vanari patted herself down and called out that Kit realized exactly what was happening. She spun back around toward the thief in time to see them run past the pair of Ebonstryfe taking note of the persons who came into and left Ravok. She saw the flicker of their eyes, suddenly attentive at the sound of Ari's voice, they turned to the thief, then Vanari. Maybe they saw something unnatural in Ari's eyes, or perhaps they took the glimmer of her hair as something inhuman, because when they were done they both turned back around to the thief and started clapping.

"Shyke," Kit hissed. She took off, already stretched and limber, after the thief. While the Ebonstryfe had not bothered to stop the criminal they seemed unwilling to stop the chase, and let them pass on by.

The thief shot a look over their shoulder, saw pursuers and veered to the side, taking long loping strides, dodges around tents, ducking under a merchant's table of wares to try to lose them. Kit followed every twist and turn, vaulted over the table. This time, when the thief turned around again, he scowled and cursed, but Kit just felt herself smiling; she was catching up!

These methods having failed, he took a turn and dashed into the woods, hoping to deter them in the face of the great dark forest of the 'outside' that Ravokians so feared. But Kit kept on running after him, ducking over and over under root and branch as she pursued Vanari's thief.