[The Sanctuary] A Knock at the Door

by **Lyn'nice** on March 16th, 2014, 2:58 am

Lyn'nice was extremely surprised to see a certain elusive Vantha,"Oh Lysaea, I see you're up and you managed to meet our friend Xira here! He delivered a special tree to us. Now eat up everyone, before it goes cold!" She smiled, "Unfortunately Reven won't be joining us, she's feeling quite under the weather. I took her some herbal tea and gave her a look over with my mark," Lyn'nice rolled up her sleeve showing of the healing swirls. "Now she just needs to rest."She gave a look of concern, before shoveling squid into her mouth.

Lyn'nice gave a laugh at Lysaea, "I'm not much help in the kitchen either Cadra had to guide me through everything. Back in Mura the most cooking related thing I ever did was shuck clams and oysters. Cooking wasn't a big deal we live on fish most I ate raw. Now that I'm expecting seafood is all I want! If it swims and has gills, then it's fair game. Lysaea, what do you commonly eat where you're from?" The Konti asked inhaling another squid. "I really don't know anything about Avanthal. What's it like, I mean besides cold?"

"Sure, I can show you a room any preference? Close to the bath or far from the bath? Or we could go by your favorite gemstone, the rooms are themed by gemstones but most choose by the baths."

by **Xira Hezmek** on March 17th, 2014, 2:09 am

Xira smiled at Lysaea genially. "I completely understand. Sometimes we have days where a feeling invades your thoughts." He watched with fascination as the konti slurped down a squid. "I do hope Reven finds herself feeling better. Excuse me, may I see that mark? I've heard of a konti's healing powers but have never seen the source upclose." He peered up at the konti from his seat, curiously watching her. "Oh pardon me, I am doing just fine M'lady."

Keeping track of the ongoing conversation was difficult. Xira blamed the situation. He had just arrived in a new city and was overloaded with all sorts of new sights and sensations and peoples. He did his best, however, and nodded with sympathy to Lysaea. He understood not being able from first hand experience! Not to mention that the woman's eyes constantly flicked from one color to the next. It was mesmerizing to watch the change. Like flickers of light, though he also imagined it like drops of colored ink spreading from the center to fill an iris shaped piece of paper.

Both Lyn'nice and Lysaea were fascinating people. One was enthusiastic and cheerful, not to mention exotic as all konti were. The other was quiet, somewhat withdrawn and sounded like she had a story to tell. He liked them both and could not help but relax in their presence.

He was halfway through his breakfast when Lyn'nice brought up the rooms. "Well, I have no real preference over how far or close to the baths are for rooms. However, I noticed that the library is rather close to some of the rooms. Could I take one of those? Closest to the library I mean." He scratched at his beard slowly, contemplating the decision.

He munched on the food slowly. It was delicious, Cadra had a gift with cooking. He hoped he would get the chance to sample more of it.

Words from me to you

by **Lysaea Frostfawn** on March 18th, 2014, 1:03 pm

Lysaea looked inquisitively at the Konti woman when she said she couldn't cook. Her eyebrows were up high and her eyes, still blue.

"I would have never guessed." she said before scrunching her face slightly at the woman's question.

"Whales, walruses. They were the things I didn't like even if they were well cooked and everything. We also had seal which I guess tasted at least decent and there's the fish and land animals. They were the best. My former hold collected seaweed. That was pretty good as well,"

Lysa paused for a second to stuff a piece of squid in her mouth and think about the Lyn's second question.

"I actually don't think it's that cold. Especially in winter since our queen's not around but I guess for anyone else, you would consider it to be cold. It's nice I guess. Nearly everyone is friendly and welcoming and each hold does it's own job to keep Avanthal up and running well. I would consider it to be a great place to visit in Winter. What's the Pearl of the White Isle like?" She decided to say amiably, doing a quick overview of her opinion before she continued to gulp down the squid. Mura always fascinated her somewhat. She'd never seen a Konti before coming to Riverfall so her opinions of them had always been somewhat mythical.

She swore she would have made praises to the squid and tell it how much she loved it's taste if she wasn't with other people.

As Lysa watched Xira tell Lyn'nice what room he would prefer, she began to think of the format of the Sanctuary.

"In that case, you'd want a room nearer to the bathroom," she informed him as she finished of the last of the squid.

by **Lyn'nice** on March 23rd, 2014, 2:16 am

Lyn'nice stopped to think, "Mura is nice and peaceful. Almost too peaceful to me. I didn't feel like I fit in there. I was too lively for Mura and I had to leave. The quiet never ceases, the waters are always clear and warm. Shells line the beaches. The air has a sweet saltiness to it. It's like a dreamscape, so calm and quiet. The Konti all solemn with their sights and such. Woe is me I see this... Woe is me I see that.... You might like it there though, you're quiet and reserved. You might find it a tad warmer than Avanthal. Maybe some time after this Nakivak status is done I could take you for a visit." She smiled.

"Oh, sure!" Lyn'nice lent her arm to Xira for examination. "I was born with my mark. Most Konti are born with one of two marks of our sister goddesses. Healing or Seeing. I can't help but wonder is the prerequisite the sisters use for choosing which Konti gets which... Could it be our personalities? Lysa aren't you marked by Morwen? If I'm not being too bold, may I see it? It's a snowflake right?" Lyn'nice gave a grin, "The squid is delicious isn't it? Go ahead and take some more!"

"Hey Xira, once you get settled and everything. Would you like to go herb picking with another Konti friend of mine and me? Lysa you could come too if you want." Lyn'nice had been planning another herb picking trip with Clover.

by **Xira Hezmek** on March 31st, 2014, 7:20 am

The sanctuary, Xira found, was a comfortable place. The attitude was relaxed and cheerful. It seeped into his bones and his shoulders. He found himself with a cup of tea which he took polite sips and smiled at the exchange before him. He had heard of Avanthal, but only tall tales of the goddess of winter and her palace of ice. He could hardly believe such tales. But, he imagined that the place was still amazing. Perhaps someday he would visit the place.

When conversation returned to him he nodded Lysaea. "Duly noted M'lady." And so the conversation flowed past him to Lyn'nice and her home. As she spoke he tried picturing the place. A calm that he doubted he would ever experiance directly. These two people who were spending their morning with him were from two very different and exotic locations. To him, normal was protective stone around and above him. Normal was a strict, but honorable knighthood watching out for the good of their people. A paradise of calm and quiet was... unimaginable. In Syliras there was always noise and people moving about, drama, love, petty feuds. But also an isolation that was not tangible, people were always around, but that did not mean they cared.

He stared into his tea a moment, his shell of cheerful formality cracked. He could not help feeling a melancholy wash over him. What was he doing in Riverfall? He found himself in a strange place, surrounded by strange people. However nice and accommodating they were, there so many unknowns. His brief introspection was interrupted as Lyn'nice actually assented to showing Xira her mark. He lightly traced his fingers over the mark, first marveling at the smooth pale skin and then the mark itself. It swirled in a pattern not unlike his signet ring. "Amazing..." He muttered to himself. He had never seen a god touched before. This one was favored by a divine being, and so was the other.

"Yes ma'am. That sounds very interesting. My time caring for the Vian sapling has been surprisingly enjoyable. I would be happy to help out" He smiled at the kind woman before him. "That reminds me. My things are with Snow, perhaps we should go retrieve them." He gave them an apologetic look for not thinking about it before, but made no move to get up until breakfast was finished. He really should have brought it all along with him.

OOCSorry about the wait girls, I admit I've waited far too long

Words from me to you

by **Lysaea Frostfawn** on April 13th, 2014, 4:50 am

Lysa suppressed a giggle at the Konti's description of Mura. She could definitely imagine the Konti being unable to fit in a place such as what she described. It certainly didn't help her contain her laughter when she started saying woe is me I see this and that she would fit in. Normally she would find offense in someone directly saying that she was quiet and reserved but somehow, she didn't particularly mind. It was true of her and even if she'd try to deny it, Mura did seem like a nice place to visit.

"That would be nice," she responded, her own smile on her lips.

Lysa felt the urge to get up her chair and scrabble across the table to peer at the Konti's mark when she showed it to Xira but managed to keep her feet rooted on the ground albeit still craning her neck. It was amazing to her how the sight of a god or goddess's mark would always appear wondrous and mythical no matter how many times she saw one. A little lost in her thoughts, she placed her head in a normal position again when Lyn'nice asked to see her own mark from Morwen.

"Oh sure," she said, upturning her hand and holding out for the Konti to see "Definitely a snowflake,"

She ducked her head slightly in minimal embarrassment when the woman invited her to take some more. Nonetheless, she still didn't hesitate to get another piece.

She nodded her head when she suggested going herb picking and felt a slight glow of pleasure that reflected itself on her face when she was invited to go as well.

"Definitely,"

She finished her piece of squid in no time and listened to Xira talk. One thing she wanted to ask was definitely what a Vian sapling was. She had no skill with plants although she did admit she wanted to try. She silently decided in her mind she would ask but the man saying that they should go retrieve his things changed her course of mind.

"That would be a good idea wouldn't it, shall we go get them?" she asked, pushing her chair out and stretching her body out. She would then wait for Xira and Lyn'nice.

OOCSorry about the delay in posting

by **Lyn'nice** on April 15th, 2014, 4:27 am

Lyn'nice grinned, "It's a deal if I ever take a trip home I'll take you along! But," She paused. "The same goes for you too as I'd love to see the winter queen's castle! Where are you exactly from, Xira? As a courier the road must seem like home."

She turned to look over Lysa's mark, a snowflake as the Konti already knew. But the beauty of the intricate and delicate flake was awe inspiring. "Wow, I wasn't expecting it too be so...delicate looking with so much detail. It looks almost like someone took a fine brush and with a steady hand painted it on you. If you turn your head it shimmers! Amazing! Mine just like doodled swirls up my arm, but I love my swirls and their opalescent hue.

With a bit of laughter Lyn'nice came to a conclusion, "It's funny, we're from two completely different places! Yet it seems that our cultures have some things in common! Funny how things like that happen."

Getting to her feet (after consuming half her weight in squid) she too stretched with her hands high above her head. Finishing her stretch Lyn'nice turned to the two, "Alrighty, let's go get your things, Xira! Cadra hun, can you handle the clean up?" Cadra gave a happy smile and nodded, "Okay, we'll be on our way then!"

by **Xira Hezmek** on April 21st, 2014, 3:43 am

And so they left for the the stables. While his two new companions might have been a better fit to guide him to the stables, Xira wished to test his navigation skills on the layout of the Sanctuary. Thus the courier took the lead with the Vantha and the Konti in tow.

He let the two chatter a bit as he focused on the mental image in his head. The problem was that Xira had only a brief tour with Reven. She had given the names of landmarks and they went underground. He just had to recall them all... in reverse. What they needed to do was find the particular barn that Aweston took his horse. There was the hallways out, they branched out to... the sea doors, some person name Vanataor's suite and the exit back to the stableyard. He took a tunnel and was pleased to find himself outside.

Now in the main courtyard with two ladies in tow he was surrounded by buildings. He picked the closest one and towards the front snow was stabled and munching hay calmly. She nickered in recognition of him which made the courier smile. "Ladies, this is Snow." He went up to rub her snout a bit before he sought out his things.

Aweston was tending to the horses when they entered the barn. He leaned against the shovel he was using and watched them mill about. Xira looked up to the man questioningly which was met with a point to a set of tack on the wall. With his gear and things in hand, over his shoulder, and on his back. "Alright guys- I mean ladies, if you'd like to head to the gardens, I'll go put these things in one of the rooms."

He then parted ways to do just that.

My words

by **Lyn'nice** on May 25th, 2014, 7:26 pm

Lyn'nice couldn't help but let out a small squeal at the sight of Snow. She mentally let out a sigh of relief that she hadn't frightened the horse. "You're so pretty! Yes you are!" Lyn'nice happily took to petting, cooing and all out gushing over the beautiful animal. Horses were a common sight around the sanctuary, but Lyn'nice found a unique beauty to each and every one. Unlike her employers, Lyn'nice hadn't grown up around horses. Clams, yes. Horses, not so much.

Growing up in Mura she had spent most of her life happily penned up in the garden scanning the soil and sharpening her knowledge of plants along with their proper care. For all she knew there could of been horses in Mura, and she had just been too focused on her plants to take notice of them. In fact, she often didn't take notice of a lot of things... Like talking to a hummingbird, her Talvas had said before he disappeared from Riverfall. Thoughts of self doubt began to form in the back of her mind. Had she been the reason he left? Had he changed his mind about becoming a father?

Much to her relief, Xira's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Are you sure about finding your room on your own?" Lyn'nice asked sounding concerned. "I honestly don't mind taking you to your room." There was a pause before Lyn'nice made an announcement "Know what? I'm gonna take you to your room! I'll have no other say in the matter!" The Konti clapped her hands. "Well, come on then!" Her voice sing-songy as she headed in the direction of the rooms.

by **Lysaea Frostfawn** on May 30th, 2014, 2:32 pm

Lyn'nice was definitely a nice person if anything, offering her to take her with her if she ever took a trip back to Mura. However, she couldn't help but feel the happiness that was building up in her get stamped out a bit when she mentioned Lysa would also have to take her to Avanthal. The smile on her face faltered and a shadow flickered in her now dark amethyst eyes.

She didn't think she'd ever return to her hometown. Her heart twisted of the thought of coming back to see welcoming faces, the faces she had once been convinced she hated, the ones who refused to acknowledge, or just didn't know, the crime she committed, the one she'd never forgive herself for even if everyone else did. It created a pool of self-hatred that was impossible to swim out of but she didn't care, she thought she deserved it; it was only fair.

Her gaze remained trained on the table for a while, her mind wandering from the conversation only to be roused when the nice konti woman commented on how they came from completely two different places. Lysa managed a smile on her face and immediately felt better, her eyes shifting to a shade above her current amethyst.

"Yes they are, aren't they?" she said, her voice quiet yet slightly amused.

As Lyn'nice and herself followed the courier, she wondered whether he knew where he was going. Alas, she didn't need to worry about getting lost as soon the group reached a beautiful white horse whom Xira introduced as snow.

"She's a beautiful horse," she commented softly with a small smile, recognizing the mare's breed to be a Windrunner. Those were quite common in Avanthal.

The huntress stood by motionlessly once they came to a stop in the barn and watched the brief exchange between Xira and Aweston before he took his belongings and told her and Lyn that he'd go put his things in one of the rooms. At that, she couldn't resist to raise one eyebrow skeptically. It wasn't like she doubted his navigation skills - he had proven to be decent when leading them back up - it was just that he was new and thus, she wasn't sure if he knew how to get to a room and which ones were occupied etc.

She was about to offer her help when Lyn'nice announced she was going to take him to his room. Looks like she didn't need to offer her help then. She cleared her throat just before the pair left to catch their attention before she opened her mouth to speak.

"In that case, I'll just head to the gardens myself," she said, a smile visible on the corner of her lips before she spun off gracefully and made her way to her destination.