Completed A Little Boy and Some Gods

[Alija]

6th Spring 515
There was a light tapping on the door. Alija groaned, tossing in her bed. Of all the days for her sleep to be interrupted, it had to be one the day that she could sleep in. “Who's there?” she moaned, hoping that her voice would carry that far. Luckily, a response came back immediately.

“It's Kial, from next door!” a young voice cried back, stopping the constant tapping. Alija smiled at the thought of the young boy, who frequently played with Rosco and Trump, more of an owner to them than Alija would ever be. The young woman climbed out her bed, hastily pulling on a shirt and pair of tight trousers. She swung open the door with a happy smile on her face, the two dogs barking excitedly at their friend.

“What are you doing here so early?” she asked curiously, seeing that the sun had only just began to rise. Kial wasn't the earliest of risers, and even if he did wake up early he never came round her house. He barely came round her house, only visiting Alija when she was already outside, joining her to walk the dogs perhaps, or to beg her to tell about something that even she didn't know the answer to.

“My mum's gone. She went on a ship last night, saying we needed some money and it was the only way. I don't know what she meant, but she's coming back. She promised,” the little boy explained, “So she paid a woman to a woman to look after me, but that woman is horrible! She won't let me play and makes me do chores! She kicked me out 'cuz I said she was rubbish! Can I stay here?”

Alija smiled over him, enjoying his playful nature. He was already fussing over the dogs, stroking them, petting them and trying to get Rosco to become more playful. She didn't doubt that Ms. Seagrass planned to return – in a lot of cases, this would just be an excuse to leave the child but Ms. Seagrass really did love her son and the family of two had fallen on hard times. The money from her late husband had run out, and with no job, it hadn't looked well for them. It was lucky that she had managed to get a job, but unfortunate for her son.

[Alija]

“Alija, can I stay then?” he asked once more, pulling puppy eyes, “I'll be really good! I'll look after the dogs too, please?” Alija nodded, smiling.

“Have you already have breakfast?” she asked, breaking of a piece of bread and starting to chew on it. Kial nodded, returning to Trump, who was barking to get his attention. He stroked her, picking out a small crumb from his pocket. “Trump! Trump!” he called, before saying a word in Fratava. Trump obediently sat down, tail wagging with the prospect of a treat. Kial tossed it to her, watching as the little dog jumped up and snatched it.

“What did you say to her?” Alija asked, curious. It definitely would help if she could get Trump to sit when she ordered her to. Kial smiled, repeating the word and giggling at Alija's attempts. She grew red, unable to pronounce it as he did. “Slower, please,” she asked, listening once more. Several more attempts later, Kial was still shaking his head.

“You elongate the word too much. Shorter,” he explained, “Like this.” Alija shook her head, trying once more. “You got it!” Kial exclaimed, resulting in Alija committing it to memory. Perhaps one day Kial would teach her enough to speak it, fairly well anyway. Until then, she would have to practise.

Alija whistled, the two dogs making their way towards her. At least she had some control over the, although it was nothing compared to Kial. He seemed to get along so well with them. Or perhaps it was only in Alija's view, seeing as she knew next to nothing about dogs. She still couldn't believe that she had managed to keep them alive, and get them healthier than when she bought them. Then again, Kial had helped with the majority of that too.

[Alija]

“Kial, you coming? I like to walk the dogs by the sea, want to join?” Alija didn't wait for an answer; it was obvious anyway. Kial would come, wanting to walk, either with her or the dogs. They walked in silence, the boy occasionally running off after one of the dogs (usually Trump), but most often side by side, only separated by the dogs between them. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny without a cloud in sight, so many people were out on the docks, although most were there for business not leisure.

Kial stared off at the great expanse of blue, watching as the waves slowly rolled back and forth, mighty but gentle. Alija wondered what he was thinking behind those bright blue eyes and mop of black hair. His mother perhaps? It must be hard to be separated from her, as it seemed that she had never left his side. Now, they were separated by Laivku's domain, the vast ocean, uncrossable without the aid of a ship or boat. She felt sorry for him.

Luckily, Kial didn't stay silent for long, and returned to his bubbly personality, beginning to talk.
“You know Laviku right? He's the god of the sea, and all the animals in it! You know that blue tattoo mum has on her arm? It moves! I've seen it on her back before, and her leg – even her face! She said it was a...” the boy then muttered the word for gnosis in Fratava, although Alija didn't understand what it meant. Still, she repeated it mentally, assuming her would explain in Common. “Um... Well, Laviku gave it to her. A marking, it gives her power.”

“A gnosis?” She had heard of them, but never had realised what they were. Kial nodded excitedly, jumping up and down.

“That's it! Well, she has this mark, and she can do these things 'cuz of it! Like, she told me this, she can move tides and stuff slightly, and control a sea creature! And she always knows where the sea is and what the tide is like! It's so cool!” Alija nodded, listening. So a gnosis was a marking, like a tattoo, given to people from gods, giving them some sort of powers... at least that was what it seemed like. “Alija, do you worship a god? I pray to Laivku every night, and every morning now that mum's gone! I ask him to make sure she's alright, even though I know she is! Laivku would never hurt someone he's marked, would he?”

[Alija]

“No, of course not,” Alija smiled softly, thinking about his question. “Yes, I worship Laivku too, in a way. Not like you do, but in a way. I thank him for little things he does, when they apply. But unlike you, and your mother, the sea and I don't mix, just co-exist beside each other. He is a god I feel duty to, but not one I feel that I must worship.
“Then there are gods I worship, but only for duty. My mother followed many gods, and the duty of worshipping them as she did falls to me. I feel as if I must. They are Kihala, of life, and Gnora, of logic and order. I know little more about them. I respect them equally, and cast words of respect to them occasionally, but not often.
“But I worship two properly. Izurdin and Eyris. Izurdin taught people industry, and stands for strength and patience. He is associated with blacksmithing, which is where I first heard of him. There were visiting Isurs, blacksmiths, talking of him, and they caught my attention with a god of all I work for. I ask him for strength and patience at dusk everyday, wishing for both to help my job succeed. Blacksmithing is what I live for.” Alija gave a soft smile. She remembered the two men, talking long and hard, rambling on this god. Alija had listened to every word. Perhaps it hadn' all soaked in, but that had. She glanced at Kial. “I hope I'm not boring you. I've been talking too much!”

“No! Please! Who is Eyris?”

“Knowledge. Her domain covers learning, and wisdom and history. All things to do with knowledge, she knows. She knows everything. Everything and anything. And I wish to know. I'm curious by nature, my father always claimed, like his brother was, always asking questions and wanting more – more explanations, more details, more information. He only said that I had the strength to hold the curiosity in, while my uncle didn't. As they say, curiosity killed the cat. He became too curious one day, found out too much, went too far, and he was killed. My father never talked about him much.”

[Alija]

“I'm sorry for your loss,” Kial murdered out of respect.

“Don't be. I never knew him anyway,” Alija replied.

“Do you think they can hear us? The gods?”

“Perhaps. I don't know. Are they even listening? But I talk to Eyris and Izentor every night, so they must have heard me once. And you too, with Laivku.”

“But he never replies! When I ask him to prove himself, he doesn't!”

Alija smiled. “I don't know. The gods are things outside our real, and so outside our thoughts. Perhaps they are capable of more than we believe, or perhaps less. Who knows? Only the gods.”

Kial nodded in reply, before looking up into the sky. It was midday already. Had they really been talking that long? Time seemed to fly. The boy giggled, Rosco having placed him paws on his chest. Batting him away, he began to run, chased by both dogs, barking and yapping at his heels.

“Race you to the house!” he called out, starting to sprint. Alija smiled, her pace quickening. What he didn't know was that there was a shortcut, just an alleyway away. “Loser is a rotten fish!” she called out behind him, now breaking into a run. Trump fell back, barking at her female owner. Alija laughed at the fun she was having, dodging in and out of groups of people, swerving round corners and through streets. Her house was approaching, small but snug. Kial wasn't anywhere in sight. She slowed, surprised that she had been that fast. A sudden thought flitted through her head – what if Kial had become lost, or got injured, or kidnapped...

Her worries were quickly soothed. A small figure appeared in the corner of her eye, bundling its way towards her. It jumped, the light weight landing on he back, arms and legs wrapped around her for support. “You beat me!” Kial called out from on her back, “'Cuz you cheated! Shortcuts weren't allowed, so I win! You're a rotten fish!”

Alija laughed once more, piggybacking Kial inside. He was such fun, and could hold a decent conversation too. Alija wondered what else this little boy could do. She couldn't wait to see what else he had hidden up his sleeve.

[Dravite]

Alija

XP Award:

• Rhetoric: 1
• Observation: 3
• Socialisation: 5
• Philosophy: 1
• Running: 1
• Childcare: 1

Lore:

• Kial: Good with animals
• Language: practice makes perfect
• Animal Husbandry: Caring for dogs
• Kial: An outgoing kid
• Laviku: God of the Sea
• Gnosis: A gift from the gods
• Kihala: Goddess of Life
• Gnora: Goddess of Logic, Order, and Balance
• Izurdin: God of Strength, Patience, and Industry
• Eyris: Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge
• Blacksmithing, something Alija was born to do
• Alija: A rotten fish

Notes: A couple of spelling mistakes here and there but otherwise a very well thought out thread. I always like to read things like this where the story doesn't revolve around grinding for this or that skill. Beautiful work, and the relationship between PC and NPC seemed very natural; dialog flowed well and I was able to reward you with quite a bit of lore! Fantastic effort, Alija. Let me know if you think I have missed anything here and be sure to edit your grading request!

.
.
.