Appearances Can Be Deceiving (Trista & Satu)

[Satu]

83rd Day of Fall, 510 A.V. The small campsite was strangely still for the early morning hours. A faded tent had been erected, but appeared empty, and a pack sat on the ground next to it. Its various supplies spilled out, not yet put away. Thin wisps of smoke trailed up into the sky from the last dying embers of the fire, and a pile of small sticks rested near, mixed with a few larger branches. It looked as if someone had planned on staying here longer than one night. Even a well used pan was left sitting in the glowing embers of the fire. And strangely, an ax lay discarded on the ground across from it. But perhaps the most disconcerting sight was a man lying against an old, peeling log. His legs splayed out in front of him, and his arms had fallen haphazardly to the sides, callused palms faced up. Wild, grey hair covered his head, and a short beard of coarse white filled a face lined from the elements. He looked to be about sixty, and by the looks of his clothing he might have been a woodsman. The thick, rugged clothes were patched with care, but a large dark area strained his barrel chest and beard, while the flesh of his face and hands were ashen colored. Without warning, the man’s head fell back against the log and exposed a large gash along his throat. His lifeless orbs stared at the clouds blankly. A flash of white, stark against the greenery, was visible as the man's head changed position. It was a Konti who sat on the other side of the log. So intimately did her head lean against the dead man as she sadly spoke to him. Her words strangely soothing as she turned, her long, pale arms embracing him from behind. “…Sweet Tomalt, do not be sad. We will dance together again. You only need a little rest… and then you will be Free, sweet man,” she said bravely. “And you shall remain as you were… and this tragedy will be behind us.” Suddenly, Satu froze. Her angelic tear stained face lifted, and with it a beautiful, white suvai raised threateningly towards the wilderness as well. It was easy now to see a great bruise purpled along her jaw. Someone was out there! The Konti felt the emotions of an intruder, but could not yet gauge the level of threat contained within them. She turned her head to listen, but she was no woodsman and only heard a single bird call. “You can not have him!” she yelled into the brush as she attempted to cradle the dead man with her other arm. “You have already killed him! I will not let you take him again!” The dead man’s mouth silently gaped open as Satu jostled him.

[Trista]

For Trista, the Wildlands were a place to go to relax, to ponder, and to get ideas for her art. Certainly, they were also dangerous, but for a race as morbidly melancholy as they were, Akvatari were surprisingly tough, and the ability to fly made it easy to escape most problems.

On this particular day, Trista had been practicing the dulcimer, running through some old songs and trying out a few new melodies as well. For several bells, she had played, and it wasn't until she stopped to adjust the tuning of the strings that she noticed the smoke.

Curiosity. It was either one of Trista's greatest strengths or worst failings, depending on the situation. At any rate, she wasn't any good at resisting it, and so she fluttered her wings and flew off to investigate.

What she saw wasn't at all what she expected.

Not that she could have said what she was expecting. But a tearful Konti hugging a dead man -- and he was obviously, spectacularly dead -- was still a sight that gave her a bit of a shock.

Slowly, she flew into the clearing. Her dulcimer was still in one hand, but she obviously carried no weapons. Her travel bag was slung over one shoulder. The only item of clothing she wore was a black strap that covered the important bits of her bosom. Perhaps most noteworthy to a Konti, a stylized seer's lily wrapped itself around her shoulder -- a gnosis mark from Avalis, and a rarity for a non-Konti.

"I'm not sure what has happened, but I'm neither interested in killing or taking anyone." Trista's voice was soft, and her face neutral. She didn't fully understand what she was seeing, though it seemed to be the aftermath of some highly unpleasant attack. "Are you hurt?" She didn't bother asking about the man, not yet. If the Konti had anything to say, she would do it on her own terms, and Trista would let her.

[Satu]

“What happened should never have happened!” The Konti said vehemently through her tears. “If he had only been stronger then he-” She stopped abruptly, distracted by the Akvatari’s second question. Seemly, Satu had to think about it, and for a brief moment one arm unwound from the dead Tomalt, so she could lift a hand to delicately caress her badly bruised jaw. She left the question unanswered, though her gaze fell instantly to the man. “He was badly injured,” a hand lowered to run affectionately through his grey hair. “He was so strong! And pure! Until the end he was an example among men... There will be no corrupting him now.” Her wild, wet eyes looked up, taking in the Akvatari, and her colorful appendages. The surface of the fur intrigued Satu, as did the belongings she carried. But, where was her weapon? Was the girl mad to go so unarmed! Satu said bluntly, almost accusingly, “Where is your weapon?” Her light blue eyes locked with the Akvatari’s light blue eyes until Satu’s gaze slid to the girl’s shoulder. The Lily! Stunned, Satu looked back into her face. Avalis? Satu stood up, and walked toward the girl. Letting the Common language drop, the Konti switched to Kontinese. She was hesitant to do so; rarely had she had an opportunity to speak it since- A small tremor passed through her limbs. Since..., Drainira had opened her eyes to the need for change. In the lilting language of a forgotten home, Satu demanded, “You know of Avalis? You have been to Mura?” She waited, distrust filled her. Was this a trick! Would duplicity show in her Akvatari Heart? “Do you know of the treachery that takes place there? Among the Konti? There are those among them who are responsible for this!” And she spread her arms wide to encompass the campsite. But it was possible she could have meant the world. Shaking her head sadly, Satu returned to sit on the log, next to the man. At the slight touch of her hip, his head lolled to the side, though Satu did not notice. Her mind was on Avalis! “I know Her also…” she whispered.

[Trista]

"I am Akvatari," Trista said, almost reflexively. "My wings are my weapon."

The Konti was bruised, but seemed otherwise to be in good condition, so Trista didn't worry about that further. But she did seem to be in some kind of shock, or at least either unwilling or unable to directly answer Trista's question about what had transpired here.

She was going to inquire further, but the tenor of the conversation suddenly shifted -- as did its language. Trista paused before answering -- not because she was reluctant to answer, but because she was trying to understand the rather odd questions.

"It is indeed the truth that I have been to Mura." Trista's Kontinese was softly accented; additionally, while it was both intelligible and grammatically correct, it wasn't idiomatic -- rather, it sounded as if she had learned the language largely from a textbook and dictionary, which was in fact the case.

"I was living there for a year for the purpose of furthering my artistic studies. I visited again more recently, producing a commissioned work of art forming a mural, and at that time I was gifted with a theophany from Avalis, yes." She touched the Lily on her shoulder, and then paused again. What treachery was this woman talking about? Trista knew from Rhine about the Suviak, but as far as she understood, that had at least the tacit approval of the Matrons. Otherwise, the only treachery she knew about involved sneaking around with Sondra, and that was of such minor importance that she couldn't imagine it would be of interest to a stranger.

"My time largely was occupied with the pursuing of my artistic endeavors," she said at last. "I was graciously received by those of the White Isle, but I was even so a foreigner, and not privvy to the inner workings of Konti life, either treacharous or honest. I am afraid I am not understanding the treachery to which you are referring."

Trista flitted a bit closer as the Konti sat back down. "You are numbered among her daughters," she answered to the final comment, almost in a whisper.

[Satu]

The Akvatari spoke in Kontinese, and Satu noticed the odd way in which the words flowed over the strange accent. It sounded almost foreign to her ears, but still the familiar words of Konti Isle soothed her troubled mind and she was reminded of a time past that she could barely recall otherwise. Before the other girl’s eyes, the Konti’s demeanor began to calm as Satu worked to remember. “I am her daughter.” She agreed, while her long fingered and webbed hand fluttered to her Heart to expose her own Lily marked skin. Rubbing, almost in a caress, Satu tried to gather its wisdom into the empty space inside of her, to fill that which had been taken away. In a rare moment of true self reflection, Satu said sorrowfully as she looked at the packed earth of the campsite, “I have seen too much.” Blue wings beat before her eyes, and Satu asked, “You are a fighter then? With weapons such as those? But you do not feel like a fighter…” Again Satu searched the Akvatari’s Heart. “Tell me! Are you Powerful? I can not see it in your Heart; perhaps you are skilled in some hidden way.” The Konti was weary and it was apparent that whatever fight she normally had in her was dampened. “I only see a calmness,” as if that was a questionable thing to have. Satu’s mind shifted once more and she sighed, “I suppose you want food and drink.” Regally she rose to retrieve a wine bottle that somehow rolled forgotten to the side of the camp. Returning back to the log and the precariously leaning dead man, she said wistfully. “Tomalt was saving it for happier times.” Having forgotten about the food, Satu thrust the wine bottle towards the Akvatari. And she watched warily to see if the girl would take it. “Treachery exists on the Isle… could you not see it? With Avalis’ gift? Did she not show you?” She thought a minute studying the girl’s wings, “You must be doubly careful upon your return. Many things have changed… Though I can not go back, it would be too dangerous!” Suddenly, Satu leaned forward with unbridled intent as a new thought shone in her sea blue eyes, “Tell me! Who commissioned this work? This mural?”

[Trista]

"I have perhaps not been making myself entirely clear," Trista replied in her oddly-accented Kontinese, the self-deprecating nature of her words clear. "My people are defending themselves in general by being overly difficult to catch or corner. The sea and the sky open themselves to me, and to them I flee should danger trouble me."

There was nothing else to say, really. Trista had immensely powerful gifts, but none of them were the sort that would help her defend herself.

The other woman was tired, Trista could tell, and she was about to protest that she required no nourishment when the bottle of wine was thrust into her hands. Food of the sort favored by land dwellers was something Trista would eat only under extreme duress, but the wine was probably something she would be able to drink. It seemed odd to be drinking after whatever had happened here, but perhaps this was the Konti's way of grieving. At any rate, the danger was likely gone.

She took the bottle; it seemed to be previously unopened. She opened her mouth, and drove a sharply-pointed canine into the stopper before pulling the cork out in this manner. There was nothing into which to pour the contents, and so she took a drink from the bottle before passing it again to the Konti.

Her eyes darted momentarily over to the dead man. It was uncomfortable in a way to sit in the presence of a corpse, though given that neither of them seemed to have either a shovel or the energy for the task of burial, she couldn't say what they ought to do instead.

"I became in receipt of my gift from Avalis quite near the end of my stay in Mura, and I was still in the process of learning to understand it," Trista answered quietly. "She may well have shown me many things that I was not yet capable of comprehending."

The woman's odd interest in her commission was strange, though no stranger than anything else the Konti had said thus far. "I obtained a commission from the city manager, Nai'la Tamris. A new building for the Child's Center had been constructed, and three walls were available for the purpose of painting." To clarify, she added, "An acquaintance of mine suggested that I apply; the manager did not seek me out in a specific manner."

"But I must ask you," Trista said, unable to further suppress her curiosity, "what is this treachery which you are referencing? If I am to be cautious, it would perhaps behoove me to know that to which I am attending."

[Satu]

“So you run. And fly away?” Satu gave this idea thought, as she stared at the girl’s wings. “That is what the Konti do. That is what I was trained to do as well. Deflect. Defend. Retreat. Only as a last resort, to engage! But by that time, is it not already too late? Once all has been taken from you and everything you value is gone. It is too late. You can not flee no matter how you wish it! It is too late.” Satu said bitterly, taking the bottle back from the girl. The Konti took a long pull of the warming, red liquid, “And you-” she floundered, not remembering if the creature had chosen to reveal her name. “And you! If your wings were to be… damaged somehow, and you could not fly… what then?” Satu watched to see what the Akavarti’s Heartcolors would show, the Konti’s pale eyes never leaving the other girl. “That is where they left me, abandoned. They knew full well what would happen. I was young, and an innocent... Perhaps like you! They led me there, offered me up as a sacrifice. What did I know of terror and mad plottings? Ultimately, my eyes were opened to the Dark and Cunning Hearts that had such a grip on our White Isle. It hurt me greatly! I wanted not to believe such taint resided in any of my Konti sisters.” Her eyes darted in the false recollection, and filled with tears, “Others sacrificed… so that I could escape, offering their lives that I might warn others.” Restless, the Konti fidgeted, “Why can you not see this? With your Gift?” she said, handing the bottle back. Trista had said so little! It was like a puzzle that the HeartSeer must piece together with the words the girl had already spoken. “You did not understand it then…,” she repeated, thinking. “Do you understand it now? Do you use it to honor Her?” She challenged. “Can you even be trusted…? How do I know one of them did not send you to find me? If you told them I lived, that would surly be the end of me! I have been betrayed so many times, another would be too hurtful. And you would fly away…”

[Trista]

"Trista," the Akvatari said reflexively when the Konti stumbled over what to call her. The rest of the other girl's speech was full of agitation, but gave few details -- though she started at the notion that the Konti were offering sacrifices of their own. That didn't sound like the Suviak, or like anyone else she had met in Mura.

"One who has nothing has nothing that can be taken," Trista said softly. "If one is already alone, the making of one to be more alone is not possible. And if things themselves have a value that is only transitory, the losing of them is simply to be expected, nothing more." Satu would probably be able to feel a strong emotion from Trista, one of loss, loneliness, melancholia. The Akvatari each wandered through the world alone, a people with a nonexistent past that always haunted them. Trista was no different -- indeed, after Eloab, she was probably more so.

She received the bottle back and took another swallow. "Perhaps it is because I am not aware of that for which I should be looking." She shrugged her bare shoulders. "I am in possesion only of a singular mark; I can look backwards in the Chavena but not forwards, and I am unable to be looking always, though occasionally I am looking without meaning to do so." Another thought occurred to her. "I departed from Mura shortly after my marking; perhaps I was there with too much brevity to come in contact with the dangerous elements of whom you speak?"

Her Konti companion, however, seemed to be growing more agitated. This in turn made Trista nervous, largely because the other girl's reactions didn't seem justified given what Trista had done since her arrival. Maybe it was to be expected, given that some act of terrible violence had been done here, and that some additional act seemed to have been done to the Konti at some time previously, but still, it smacked of paranoia.

She set down the bottle and held her hands forward, palms extended, to show that she had nothing that would be dangerous. "Who truly can say that they are understanding the power of a deity? And who also can further say that they are in all ways giving the honor that should be requisite? I attempt to utilize my gifts in Her service, but I am only a singular mortal." Her humility was sincere, though she wouldn't normally express it in this way.

To her second challenge, Trista replied perhaps more philosophically than most would; it was a natural reaction, an expression of an introspection that was so ingrained in her character that she could not always resist it. "What, compatriot, is trust?" She let the question twist in the air before continuing. "It is not in my capability to execute the proving of a negative -- I cannot demonstrate that anything is not so. But I can tell you that I am in the service of no one save Avalis, and that none of her daughters have sent me hither. These are, perhaps, nothing more than my words, but I do not convey them to you lightly." Her eyes were wide, and her face solemn.

[Satu]

Loss. Loneliness. Melancholia. These were the emotions of the Akvatari, and they swirled around Satu in heavy greyness. The unaccustomed feelings weighted her down and slowed the otherwise active and flighty Konti considerably. Unused to these feelings, the Konti felt sluggish and thick. Doubts filled her mind where none had been before. What path is this that was thrust upon me? Satu felt weary all of a sudden, as if she had run from Taloba to this place. Rest was what she needed, and… her heavy gaze traveled to Tomalt. It was his fault of course, the way that things had turned out! The blame was his! If he had only been different! “Oh there are ways to be made to feel more alone! I can not utter them now, it is too painful.” The Konti said forcefully, but continued on despite her own protest. “You need not have anything of value, there is always more that can be taken besides trinkets. And when you know there is nothing left within your soul to lose… you are proven wrong. Very, very wrong!” “You would not know of course, you were not raised in Mura. It was idyllic and wondrous, a childhood filled with peaceful women and stimulating education. But the Konti’s troubles were hidden from me then. How was I to know that each generation of women is weaker than the last?” Satu could not remember how she knew these bits of fact, but she was adamant that she did. “As girls we were trained to be docile. Do you think that odd? That pacifists are knowingly sent out into a harsh world… alone? Do you think the world receives us welcomingly and is accepting of our nonviolent ways? No! Instead they leer and taunt, and harass!” Taking a breath, Satu continued her diatribe, “Do you think it odd that no one on Konti Isle has responded to the wrongs done to our people? That hundreds of Konti have vanished, or are mistreated. Trista! A blind eye is turned, and our people are encouraged to look away. Yet this is only the surface… Someone wants us Weak!” Nervousness swam in Trista’s Heart and Satu understood; the girl should be nervous; there were evils in the world. Far too many would take advantage of an innocent like her. She needed to take care! Slowly, the suvai fighter’s guard lowered. She still felt little trust for the girl, but more than before, so she finally said, “I am Satu.” “Singular mortal?” the Konti repeated, that was a new concept to one who had seen the individual chavi touch their neighbors and create far-reaching ripples in the strands of the past. “No. One person can change the world. It is so! I have seen it.” But her mind was so sluggish now, “It must be so… otherwise…,” she was lost. Satu stared at the Akvatari’s hands, was that trust? This show of hands in the little camp? Tomalt certainly would have thought so, but then the man had been disappointing, after all. “You fill my mind with words, so many of them to confuse me. Dear Tomalt said I would kill him with my talk,” she smiled softly. “And now he is gone and quite alone. And I am left with your words instead swimming in my head.”

[Ataraxia]

Satu XP Interrogation +2, Wilderness Survival +1 Lore Lore: Wilderness Survival Techniques Trista XP Dulcimer +1, Persuasion +1, Wilderness Survival +1 Lore Lore: Wilderness Survival Techniques Comments Hey there =). This was pretty interesting honestly, as it felt like the facade of a drink at a campsite could shatter into a clash and end quite badly at any moment... I like the opposition between Satu's near unhinged mind and Trista's docile yet sharp intellect. As far as awards because of length (and not being finished, obviously), There wasn't much to give. Since you were both out in the wilds however, I did award you wilderness survival as well as the master lore for wilderness survival. With this lore, your character has accumulated enough knowledge to make due on their own in the wilderness. Hope this works out for you two. If you have any questions or if I missed anything, let me know. Peace out!