Letters from the Suvan

by **Una Tanta** on December 15th, 2013, 9:50 pm

1rst Day of Winter, Morning

Seated at a worn chair in the Savintar Warrens Una gazed at the worn envelope and package. Edges singed and the seal crinkled Una wondered how long ago it had been sent. Slowly sliding her finger along the edge of the package she slowly tore the heavy wrapping. Opening the box she removed the statue blinking back tears of surprise. Inside rested a simple white dolphin woven from a tropical coral she had never seen before.

It had to be from M'wanni. Not having heard from M'wanni since Cy's death Una was surprised at the delicate trinket. Her parents had known M'wanni's parents since their shared childhood in Charbosi and had introduced the two through letters when Una was old enough to write. Though Una and M'wanni had never met formally they had exchanged letters since childhood. Even when she had left home she had continued to speak to M'wanni. Doubtless M'wanni's parents had known and informed her own parents keeping them from trying to find her. The figurine was crude compared to her own but as she ran her fingers over the smooth cultivated surface she smiled. It was a beautiful gesture.

When she had written M'wanni in the past it had been in Char and the method of writing was very different than what she was learning from Jack. Coral and Seaweed were mashed into powder to make a colour and water was added, from their the Charoda wrote with their fingers as multiple fingers were needed at once to write Char.

Una turned to the letter ravenous for its contents. Not only did it contain words from a friend long lost but it has been so long since she had had the delight of reading char that the excitement for the familiar style created a euphoric tremble. Now that she realized whom it was from Una took several deep breaths before she was calm enough not to tear the fragile parchment within the envelope. Sliding out the hefty letter Una opened it slowly....

by **M'Wanii** on December 16th, 2013, 7:29 pm

The letter's contents appeared to be written quickly with sloppy fingermanship, which was without a doubt typical of the writer. Splodges of mud along with ink stains and water damage adorned the letter making it hard to read. After a few chimes of careful examination the following could be deciphered out of the char ridden human made paper.

‘Long time no letters Una,
M’wanii here. Hope life has been treating you well. Along with that Swan guy you were telling me about. Sweet, cute and feathery. He sure sounds like a keeper. Be sure to remember to invite me if there’s a wedding. And there better be a wedding. I won’t stand for you two, scaring away the fishes without one.On another current, since you’re so interested in books see if bird-boy could wing some to you from out-over. You two could spend have some romantic reading time like the little bubble heads you are. Sharing tales and such. Don’t forget the one about the sailor and the Pearl diver’s daughter. That is a classic!

Anyway you’re probably wondering what the big lack of letters was about.’ There was a few scribbled out letter’s as if she had not been sure as how to word what came next. ‘The farm got wiped out in a large storm. Land-dwellers are calling it The Djed Storm of Spring 512AV. It trashed the far- well everything really , Dad and Paps have headed back to Charbosi along with Jaloss, Dullii, Hulea and Feauro. My huggy siblings, remember me going on and on about them?

Anyhow in the aftermath of that mess I’m planning on heading north. There isn’t much left in the south for me. But I’m just not ready to leave the Suvan, you know? So going up to see if I can chase some Svetfa into a job. If that fails there is a human city I’ve got my eye on. Rumours say it’s peaceful and kind, also busy so I could always jump on a trading ship out of there. Maybe come visit the love birds? Naw, that’ll take the fun outta this whole letter sending scenario. Any way I also included my most recent attempt at anything to do with Coral. You’re laughing at it I can tell. It took me forever to get it right so shhh you.

Wondering where I am now? And what is the deal with this non-seaweed paper? Well question no more. Behold the place I write from is the mud shelter of a beardy Svetfa and his Mrs. It quite frankly smells in here. So I’m probably going to sleep in the ocean tonight. But the air-breather has given me his word that he will get this to Avanthal. That is where you still are, right? Which is brilliant ‘cause he better. Especially considering the price he charged me for it. Bet you, he could buy a new boat with that money. Maybe even two. Aw, great now he’s just walked in and is complaining about the amount of ink I’m using. Pl-ease! Mister, this is more than important enough to waste your silly ink on. And if you run out buy some more. You’ve certainly got the money to now. Oh. The cheek I just got! He said he couldn’t figure out what I was painting. Hah! Learn to read mister face fuzz. ‘ The next few lines were too blurred out to read.

‘Right time to wrap this up. Best of luck with your love life. He sounds worth it. Also splash at your parents to reply to mine, Paps is getting worried about them. Any replies aim them at Syliras. I should get there eventually. Eventually. Just keep kicking M’wanii!

Swim well and may the currents flow your way.

M’

With that the letter concluded, along with a bad drawing of a bush with eyes in the bottom hand corner which one could probably guess was meant to be a man.

by **Una Tanta** on December 18th, 2013, 9:46 pm

Retrieving the inky and quill from her desk Una retrieved some parchment from the drawer. She had been practicing her pen man ship but it was still sloppy so she wrote carefully enunciating each word with the utensil. It was difficult to communicate in char with the quill but Una faithfully drew out each line, reading and rereading the sentences.

"So good to hear from you beloved M'wanni,

It has been so long indeed! Yes he was indeed a keeper. We got married several years ago but the Djed last year took his life. I am sorry you two will never get to meet.

I laugh at that suggestion M'wanii because he did just that without my beckoning. Apparently, the librarian has told me, he would rip pages from books in the library to bring to me in the ocean. I can't decide if I should be angry for destroying books or elated for the romantic gesture.

Oh dear, that tale was so long ago, you must remind me. I would love to hear a tale from your fingertips, it has been so long."

The scribbled out letters made Una frowned, M'wanni was obviously upset and unsure how to tread onward. Una remembered her siblings vaguely and Una was disappointed that M'wanii as alone now.

"That must have been hard for you parents. I hope those uptight know-it-all old ladies aren't bothering them too much back in Charbosi. How are you dealing with being all alone? I know you loved the company of your siblings. Are there lots of Charoda in the Suvan Sea?

Do you love the Suvan? I know what that's like, leaving Thunder Bay for Avanthal was excruciating. I still miss the tickle of seaweed on my shins and basking in the summer warmth. There certainly is no basking in Avanthal. What are the Svetfa? What kind of job are you looking into? I hope nothing involving coral manipulation. You certainly have a long way to go m'dear. Just remember not to forget to practice, it is the gift of Laviku to our race and cultivating it is cultivating our bond with him."

Una couldn't remember whether M'wanii was as devout as she but when they had exchanged letters in the past there was never a time when Una didn't mention the great sea god who flowed through their races veins.

"It is beautiful M'wanii and it shall sit on my mantle in a place of honour my sweet little M'wanii. I am so very glad he was able to get it here though in all likelihood you will be surprised by how long it took and may have given up on a response by now.

I myself have been in Avanthal almost a year now. I am going to the library tonight to inquire about a job there. No surprise to you I imagine. I have been there everyday since I came to Avanthal and met Cy's best friend, Jack.

When I left Thunder Bay I had the honour of meeting the Wind Eagle's in exchange for giving the woman a Frost hawk from Avanthal. They are the largest hawks here and sometimes steal Avanthal livestock. There was an odd event last season and animals began throwing themselves at the wall, very odd. We spent yesterday picking up their bodies and I found one trapped beneath a badger. Still alive! Never thought I would get this involved with birds did you!"

Una smiled reminiscing about the seagulls that had terrified her in Thunder Bay. Oh how M'wanii had mocked her!

"Remember when Father bonded with a Kelvic M'wanii? I think he rather lost himself in the bond...It's a difficult thing to deny and control and I hope you never find yourself bonded. Mother was broken up about it and threw herself from a cliff in Wind Reach last summer. Father spends all of his time with his Kelvic, I doubt he has had the sense of mind to read your parents letters. When you send them letters please tell them this with gentleness, I am sure they will struggle with it. Especially your father, him and Mom were always so close.

I must go, I am only now learning to write by quill and my hands webbing makes it more difficult than it should. Good day to you my dear and I hope to hear of your adventures soon.

Bubbles and Cheers,
Una"

Una moved to the small aquarium she had set up in the warrens the coral inside growing into magnificent spires and creeping up along the edges. Closing her eyes Una submerged her hands caressing the coral with her fingers and in her mind pictured M'wanii's face. Coral manipulation, contrary to popular belief was not magic but the caring of coral into whatever shape they wished. Growing coral takes hundreds of years and focusing her will Una sped the growing process around her fingers. Opening her eyes her fingers glowed the moving water shattering the light in a million directions making the water ripple with the force.

She felt the corals djed move towards her own magnetically, using her fingers as a scaffold she moved the white structure into M'wanii's face. It was a simple design without the little details achieved by clay or other artistic pursuits. The top of the head was manufactured like the curved dome of the top of a Charoda's head.

Hovering a finger over the dome the coral moved toward her finger tip following its descent and creating curved fins on the top of the head. A small nose, lips and eyes and the basic structure of a head was finished. Mentally slicing the image from the rest of the coral Una left the sculpture to dry and harden on the mantle to ship with the letter.

Several days later when the structure had hardened Una stole a pink petal from the Tree Retreat and rubbing the pigment from the surface gently coloured the lips pink and just above the eyes. Stepping back she gazed at the sculpture, its grey surface was brightened with the pink additive and though it was simple, it had the same soft elegant expression M'wanii had worn in the drawing her parents had been given long ago.

She was saddened to ship off the coral sculpture, it had been on her mantle for many days now and had been like a friend before her.

by **M'Wanii** on December 18th, 2013, 11:28 pm

Timing CalculationsAn average falcon travels at 32mph. Since this is Wind Reach Eagle riders I assumed they traveled at 40ish mph. Alvanthal to Syliras is 2750 miles in a straight line. Since that isn't physically possible I assumed 2800ish miles. Causing time of travel to be 70ish hours. Assuming they travel 6 hours a day to allow for breaks + allowing for bad weather; makes a 15 and a bit day trip from Avanthal to Syliras.
34th of Winter 513AV

It wasn't long before another letter from M'wanii arrived for Una, brought over quickly by the Squadrons that were trading with Syliras at the time. This one appeared in an envolope which when opened caused dried round edged leaves which smelled distinctively familiar to fall out. The contents of the letter was written in a similar manner to before, once again in ink on paper. It followed as such;

'17th of Winter 513AV
Greetings Una,

Thank coral you're okay. When I received no reply from my previous letter, I thought that blasted land dweller had failed to deliver it. But the bush bread kept his word even if it did take over a year to get to you.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I included some Batonal leaves in the envelope. Stick them in some hot water or in a stew if your feeling down. Normally they help with sore stomachs but I've found they work wonders on sour moods as well. Besides they taste great! Trust me.

I'm now safely in Syliras, working in the local Apothecary, The Stromhold Salves. Sounds rather grand, huh? The Boss, Mistress Blackleaf is cool though. Got four arms and a mind for business. Co workers are nice too. No Charodae here though. So yeah feeling kind of lonely. Keep dreaming some handsome kelp armoured tall tentacled man's going to wash up on shore and sweep me off my feet. Ha, ha. The only people that have managed to 'sweep me off my feet' so far have been a brute that near clubbed me to death and a mudball with a mean punch. Neither are handsome or vaguely attractive. Ah well here's to dreaming.

Yeah I love the Suvan. The currents, the water, the taste and smell of it. It's amazing. Even the people have a characteristic to them. What are Svetfa? Oh right sorry. I thought I would have mentioned them before. They are earth-walkers, humans, that live on boats travelling the Sea They love the water as much as our people do and travel in family pods like Dolphins do. It's fantastic! Even better they for the most part don't mind Charodae. You can often trade shells, pearls or stories for food, clothes even money. Brilliant people. Bless may they be. Blessed may they be!

I'll give my Father the news. Once again I'm sorry for your loss. And would definitely encourage you to use the Batonal to make yourself a calming drink this instant! Go on, Treat yourself.

Best of luck with the job situation!

M

On another last minute note, I believe I forgot to mention the scars I received during the Djed Storm. Was treasure hunting near the rocky cliffs, you see, when suddenly the current just... well what you get the point. Any way it was only when I saw your coral sculpture of me (which is annoyingly good. You are very skilled.) that I remembered. Don't worry. I'm fine now just a bit scuffed and missing most of my right ear but oh well. I always thought my left was my better side any way. Yeah so just adding this in like last minute, the giant eagle flier is getting inpatient with me. Serious those eagles are huge! Is that normal?!? Is it? '

With that the letter concluded, appearing to be overall in better condition than the one received previously.

by **Una Tanta** on December 19th, 2013, 1:33 am

34th Day of Winter, Midnight

"Dearest M'wanii,

This was much more expedient than the last, I am impressed. Thank you very much for the leaves they are delicious and have certainly helped."

Una sipped at the hot water the shredded leaves sticking to the roof of her mouth and tongue and sighed happily gazing at the parchment. Her writing was improving, she was certainly still slow but her letters were less stuttered and moved over the rough parchment more smoothly than before. Keeping the nib flat against the paper Una carefully continued.

"It tastes so foreign to anything here. In Avanthal everything seems to have a piney peppermint taste and smell. Growing anything here is nigh impossible so they have a retreat that they expand great energy and labour to and the easiest things to grow are pine and peppermint. There is one woman who has been coming to the library regularly wreaking of the stuff and I'm afraid it's rubbed off on me permanently.

As you can see I have been working on my writing since we last wrote, I hope this is more legible. Knowing your love of treasure hunting and shine I've included some items I've found around the market place and at the bottom of the ocean.

I found a grand ship on the bottom of the ocean M'wanii. I finally got to swim with the great Dire polar bears M'wanii. Just like I used to send you poems and ballads about. They showed me it. I have never seen something so forlorn or beautiful I hope you have found treasures in your new home as well.

What is an Apothecary?"

She tried to copy the word directly from M'wanii's letter and hoped it didn't come out to scrambled. As is typical when one doesn't understand the relationship of the lines to each other and merely tries to copy the letters come out almost nonsensical. As she continued she moved the quill in her hand slowly letting only the blunt head run across the paper. In her practice she rolled the pen around trying different lines but for the sake of readability she kept the pen flat. It made her letters large and bold compared to M's clean thin lettering.

"That sounds glorious M'wanii! Like a truly grand place."

Una squinted at the next sentence confused. Four arms? What creature had four arms? She must be misreading it...

"Four arms? I must be misreading you M'wanii. No creature has four arms. At least none you should go anywhere near my dear. It's hard to be near the ocean and have no one to explore it with, I thank Laviku for the Polar bears every day.

You'll just have to do the sweeping then! Make sure you get out there and have some fun, Charoda aren't the only men out there that know what they're doing."

It was late and the parchment before her was lit only by the lanterns given by the Warrens. Smiling Una slowly and carefully carved out the next few sentences,

"There is a man here M'wanii, Cys best friend Jack, you remember from my last letter? I would feel guilty if I weren't so giddy but as I write this by candlelight he lays in my bed. Has there been a man of note to share your bed of late? I hope so. Other than swimming and flying there is nothing as glorious."

Full of free love the majority of Charoda gave their love rather freely when they weren't occupied in a relationship but Una, having only seen her parents was more of the opinion that free love should be minimized so she was horribly embarrassed to be sharing her situation even with oldest friend.

"That sounds marvelous! I would love to meet one one day. The Avanthal have a port and do a large amount of fishing but they rely heavily on hunters and besides the folk on ones boat the fisherman seem very solitary here. What does your collection consist of now? I can just see a large trunk in a room of yours teeming with useless sparkling trinkets.

I got the job as well M', It's truly the best thing I can imagine. It leaves my skin rough and flaky and I swim for long bouts every day trying to maintain moisture but I thoroughly enjoy it.

I am very sorry to hear about your dis figuration but if I remember that drawing your parents sent my family so long ago you are an exquisite Charoda and I'm sure it has left you little marred in the grand scheme of things.

Regards,
Una"

by **Empyrean** on March 9th, 2014, 4:33 pm

Una

Writing	+2
Reading	+2
Coral Manipulation	+1
Observation	+1

Lores :

M'wanii

Writing

+2

Lores :

Notes :

Closed Letters from the Suvan