[PRP] Come Away to the Water [Ryuunosuke & Kilauea]

[Teh Cheryl]

This is a private RP between Ryuunosuke (LydaLynn) and Kilauea (Teh Cheryl). Please do not post without permission.

 

[Teh Cheryl]

The sun was burning, Kilauea thought as she looked upward, watching the sun play hide-and-seek with the clouds. Despite the cloud coverage, she could feel the heat of the late summer coupled with the stifling humidity that hung around her like a miasma. Dark, ominous clouds hung in the distance and she could already smell the petrichor in the face of the wind. Her bangs blew messily in the face of the oncoming storm and she shook out her large, billowing wings an anticipation.

And then she stopped. Frowned. Slowly, she turned away, pulling her wings back tight against her body, the short claws at the tips of her wings clutched tightly into a small first, as she glared resolutely at the ground. The rain matters not, she told herself as she forced herself to turn away and start the trek back to her cave. Her long spiked tailed lashed back and forth, agitated, and betraying herself. The rain matters not, she repeated. Maybe if she said it enough times, she'll start to believe it herself.

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke is excited for the promised rain. This land was so HOT all the time. It was oppressive and close and too much of the water smelled of sulfur.

But there were clouds and the promise of rain!

Another day he might have chided himself for acting like a young colt, but not today. Today he just reveled in the promised water as he ran, with a laugh echoing from his belly, across the rocky ground and towards the dark clouds. His wings cupped to catch just enough wind to make his body lighter without risking lifting into the air. For all that he wanted to fly, he would wait until he was sure there would be no lightning to scorch his feathers.

The rises and falls of the lands so near the fire mountains didn't allow him to see the mare until he was almost upon her. Skidding to a stop, gravel kicked up from under talons that clutched at the earth to stop his momentum, he laughs again.

He couldn't help it, he was full of joy and anticipation. "Good Afternoon fair mare!" He called, a smile twinkling in friendly eyes. "I hope I did not startle you. The rains come!" As if that was explanation enough. "I am Ryuunosuke." He sweeps a low bow, wings outstretched and one talloned leg straight in front of him, the other tucked close as his chest nearly brushes the ground.

Teh Cheryl

 

[Teh Cheryl]

Instinctively, her wings unfurled without a thought. She spread them in front of her in a protective shield to help prevent any dirt and gravel in a movement well practiced. She felt a few pebbles hit the thin membrane of her wings and she could feel the momentary sting before they bounced off harmlessly. She waited a moment, pausing to ensure that nothing else would be incoming before she cautiously brought the wings back down. Instead of furling them against her back, she set down the knuckles of her wing tips on the ground, the claws scraping anxiously at the hard-packed ground.

Visitors were rare in these parts and it was the primary reason she had secluded herself. Even her family, who lived deeper in spread of volcanic mountains, rarely ventured this far to the east. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and she kept her wings grounded, ready to fight or fly off at a moment's notice. The stranger, however, only bowed and his lips were upturned in an obvious smile. He did not seem dangerous (and he spoke of the rain, her mind whispered traitorously). He bared his neck so obviously to a stranger that he was either a fool or overconfident.

She was still on edge, but she did not allow her manners to abandon her. "Good afternoon," she parroted, her voice stilted but polite. She matched his bow, bending all four of her legs down with the front slightly lower. Her wings were outspread, sweeping out in perfect time with her entire body. She lowered her eyes instead of dipping her head, a motion that would have been outrageously rude had she performed it before her family. "I am Kilauea," she said. "You did me no harm--"

In the distance she heard the rumble of thunder, and her words broke off as she turned her head to the sound on instinct. A sharp bolt of lightning cut through the sky a brief second later, cutting the darkening sky in the distance in two. She could smell the rain so strongly now as the storm slowly drifted closer. She could almost imagine the feeling of water against her scales, dripping down her legs and soaking her mane. She had not even realized that she had been staring at the storm for several long seconds, forgetting that she was not alone.

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke inhales the heady smell of rain and ozone. With the lightning, he was glad he hadn't taken to wing, but still he wished he was up in the heart of the storm.

The water was falling in waves, he could see it. And if he had been on his own he would have been moving towards it, not willing to wait for it to come to him. But there was a lovely mare here, and while her manners might be a bit odd, she deserved better than a random stranger darting through and then running away.

He blinks to draw his attention back from the storm and smiles warmly, "It is nice to make your acquaintance Kilauea. I admit my travel was precipitous but I did not expect to meet anyone not drawn by the storm out here. The area seemed desolate and the weather usually has others seeking shelter. But there is so little standing water around here, I just . . . I have missed it."

Another bright smile, "Is it the lightning that calls you?" He would have thought she was of fire from her marking, but she so obviously was entranced by the storm. "It's beautiful isn't it? Raw and powerful and glorious. A good storm can wash the world clean, make it sparkle. And the smell, fresh water and lightning . . . " He shakes his head, trailing off in a rueful grin.

"My apologies, I'm babbling. I think I've been to long away from the water."

Teh Cheryl

 

[Teh Cheryl]

She could feel it, feel resounding whisper of the water even with the distance. She always had a sense for where water was, could feel it like a hum in her soul that called out for her. She had hoped the distance from the ocean and isolating herself in the desert would have dimmed her senses but instead it sharpened them and she ached to be under the rain, to feel the droplets beat against her skin. She had been alone, isolated, so long that she forgot how exhilarating it was to be near her element. Her wings vibrated in anticipation and she was seconds away from taking off into the sky when she was startled out of her trance with the sharp reminder that she was not alone.

She blinked, turning her head back to her company so quickly that it left her light-heated. "Oh," she managed to say, struggling to remember what she had been saying. "Yes, the land is bare and the heat can be oppressive," she said, her voice still faint and far-off. "But that is why I had chosen these dwelling, sir." It was no lie; she had traveled to the edges to find the place where she couldn't feel the hum of an underground spring or feel the humidity sing against her skin. "The heat...it soothes me."

It did, in a way. It removed her temptation and helped her forget about her...atrocity.

She shook her head subtly, trying to clear her thoughts, before offering a smile to Ryuunosuke. A stranger he was but he appeared harmless and friendly, and she would not deny him any courtesy. "The lightning is quite beautiful," she said, slowly and unsure of how much to say but clinging to the excuse offered. "Powerful and frightening, but beautiful nonetheless."

She tilts her head to the side, her dark black bangs obscuring the glow of her eyes for but a moment. "What draws you out so far, sir? You speak fondly of the water but this is not the land for such things. The sounds of the ocean and the rain are much farther from here if that is your calling. If you are lost, I can point you the way."

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke shakes his head with a sigh, "I left my homelands as a scout, as did my sister. And while my people followed my trail markings and found a new home . . . no one has seen my sister in some time. The last of her trail marking I could find seemed to be heading in this direction. Though if she came this way I fear for her. She has not my gift for water to find it when it is so scarce."

But then he looks at the mare again, curious, "The heat soothes you? Well, far be it for me to question what another prefers. But if you don't mind my bluntness, it seems the storm calls to you."

He looks back out to the ever closer storm. "Take care, I can see your wings wanting to carry you to it, but a storm like that would batter even the strongest fliers and even with an elemental affinity, that's three conflicting elements there, wind and water and lightning. And two of them can kill, even if the third is reined in. That is why I haven't flown to meet it, myself. I learned that lesson young. I was lucky a healer was nearby or my broken and torn wings might never have recovered enough for me to fly again."

He tilts his head, studying her a bit more before blinking and focusing back on the storm. She was rather lovely, if fiery. He didn't understand what pulled her out here, his earlier guess and her words aside, he didn't think it was the lightning. Her voice just didn't quite ring with the same longing that he heard from most when speaking of their affinity. Besides, she thought it frightening, that alone told him she didn't hold it's power.

Not that it mattered, she could have her secrets, it wasn't his place to ask.

Teh Cheryl

 

[Teh Cheryl]

"Oh," she says, startled at hearing of his lost kin. "You have my condolences," she said with a small nod in sympathy for his search. She did not wish to inform him that very made it through these lands without knowledge of the paths between the fire mountains. Between the oppressive heat of the sun and the angry rumble of the fire, many have ventured inward and few have completed the journey to the land on the other side. Nourishment was sparse unless one knew where to look and the hidden springs were just that: hidden. "If you can describe your sister for me, I can perhaps point you in her direction if I have seen her. There are few enough outsiders in these parts that I may be able to recall if she has crossed paths with my own." It was doubtful--his looks were distinctive enough that any sibling would have been notable, but she had to make the offer. Perhaps she was sister by name only, if not blood.

She paused, wetting her lips before considering her next words. "I grew up in these lands," she admitted, unsure of why she felt so tentative to offer that information. It would be obvious from her looks alone that her clan was born and bred within these mountains. "The heat, it reminds me of where I come from and who I am meant to be." No lies, but not quite the full truth.

"But even in the heat, some relief is always welcome." Her eyes darted back up to the approaching storm and she saw another flash of lightening.

One...two...three...

She counted to herself before she heard the crack of thunder. The storm was closing in but still kept its distant. She didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

"I have never flown in a storm," she said, having not even considered the dangers of thrusting herself in the midst. It might have even been worth the risk. "Rain is uncommon as it is, but true storm are almost unheard of to this degree." The last storm of this magnitude was well over a year ago when she was still but a filly. "I thank you for your advice that I receive with much gratitude. The nearest healer is a journey of several days to the south, and I would surely not make it if I was injured."

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke nods, "She looks much like me, though not as hard headed or colorful." He gives a slightly rue smile. "Her affinity is for light. And she's very happy and loving. I'm beginning to hope I missed a trail marker where she turned away from this land."

A slight shake to his head, "There is a beauty here, aside even from your own. I can understand the draw of this place for those adapted to live here. But I don't know that my sister would have fared well."

Then, hearing her further words, he looks at her, "Who you were meant to be? You sound like someone struggling with fate and expectation. Not that it is mine to ask or know. I can only say, sometimes you have to give up what you thought you knew to embrace what should be."

A quirked smile, "Of course, my words are likely more for myself than you. I had to adjust myself to my expectations and help lead my people from our home. It was difficult to accept that we needed to give up what we knew. But it was what needed to happen and it has lead to a much better life for most of us."

Shrugging as he resettles his wings, "That is a long trip for a healer. I do hope that you not need one. There is no need for thanks, wisdom can only be gained through experience. I merely hope my experience can aid another."

Teh Cheryl

 

[Teh Cheryl]

Kilauea was glad of her dark hide that hid the traitorous heat that arose from his compliment. She was unused to such talking, a result of both of upbringing and the self-imposed isolation. She pushed the instinctive stutter away though and focused on his previous words, feeling a slight pang of regret. He was very distinctive and she had not seen anyone, mare nor stallion, which similar such colors in the recent months. "I am afraid that I can not recalling seeing anyone of which that description matches in these parts," she admitted, starting to brush off the sputter of awkwardness she had felt. "This area is vast, and I am afraid there is not much of interest even past the fire mountains." It was much more likely that his lost sister had stayed along the edges of the mountains, where food and shelter was still plentiful, and he had missed a marker. She did not wish to insult his eyesight, however, and kept those thoughts to herself.

The rest of his words finally caught up to her though as she finished speaking, and she hesitated for an imperceptible moment, unsure but unable to help herself from asking. "Light, you say?" she asked, injecting a tone of casual nonchalance in her voice. "Your element in water, though, you have mentioned? Curious that you two do not share an elemental affinity."

Kilauea licked her lips as his questioning. This conversation was getting personal far too quickly for her liking, but she could not excuse herself without being unbearably rude. She had never been good at expressing herself or, perhaps, she had always been too good at it. He had given her the chance to deflect the conversation, leading it back to himself with as much skill as any before. She considered taking the offer for what it was. .

"I am," she started, keeping her voice steady. "I was meant to be my clan's next Kahuna Nui, their next..." she paused, trying to find the right translation, "priestess, so to speak. I was found to be unsuitable, though, by my Elders and have since left my clan." She kept her voice as light as she possibly could, undercutting the festering wound that the memory still left. She had not been exiled, but it had been clear that she was no longer a welcome entity.

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke grins and nods, "Yes, I very much am drawn to water. We are siblings by half, we share the same mother but different fathers. Even then, there is no clear distinction in breeding in my herd, and many are born of scattered elements harking back to different ancestors. From your question I suppose that is not the way of your people."

Shaking his head, "I can't imagine someone as clearly refined and graceful being thought unsuitable for any prestigious role. You'll forgive me but it seems your people do not know a good thing when they miss it." He gives her a winning smile, clearly trying to cheer her mood.

Shaking out his feathered mane, he sighs. "But you say you have seen no one who could be my sister? I suppose I will need look for her elsewhere. Though not until after I soak in some wet. I have been dry for far too long in this land. I am sorry if you'll miss the soothing heat but the rain is very welcome to me."

A few fat drops spatter to the ground, the leading edges of the rain picked up by the wind and scattered towards them. He breaths deeply, "Dear lady, I do not wish to be bold, but the rain is almost here. Do you need escort somewhere sheltered? I could miss a few moments of reveling in the storm if you are in need of assistance." He does seem to be offering in clear concern and chivalry, though clearly he'd rather stay.

Eyes twinkling, "Or, if you plan to stay, I hope you do not mind the company. I must say, I could hardly think of more welcome company to spend such an impressive storm with."

Teh Cheryl

 

[Teh Cheryl]

"My people are," she paused, wondering how much she should, could, share with such a stranger. There were no rules against outsiders but it had always been looked down upon to...co-mingle. But, well, she was an outsider herself now in all technicality, and she felt reckless, the feel of the approaching water making her lightheaded in anticipation. "My clan, as you have guessed, are quite different than yours. Intermixing is..."

She tilted her head to and fro, struggling to find the right word. "It is not forbidden," she finally said, lacking anything better, feeling the urge to still defend the only home she has ever know, but she could feel the lie sit heavy in her chest. It was not forbidden, no, but that was simply because it had never happened, never been entertained, never even spoken of in whispered corners. Her mother had plead faithfulness to her chosen mate, and Kilauea's siblings had all come into their powers as expected. It was only her own aberration that had cast doubt and shame over them.

It was nice though, to hear someone defend her, even a stranger who did not know the whole story, who did not know her family and clan and history. It wasn't something she had heard much of in these past months, since her powers finally emerged. Her looks had long been sought after in her youth, the clan sure of her power that came with such perfection in appearance, but those times were long past. "I thank you for your kind words," she replied to the compliment, her tone more sincere than it had been the entire conversation. She swept her head down to her chest and bent her front legs into a short bow to show her appreciation, letting her long bangs sweep over her eyes as she closed them briefly. "You have been quite kind," she said when she straightened herself, "and I wish I could bring you better news. I do spend most of my time within my cave, however, so it is quite possible that she has passed through without my notice."

As the rain started the fall, the heavy droplets hitting the dry earth before being just as quickly consumed, Kilauea spread her wings out unconsciously, yearning to feel the soft patter of water against her skin. A few drops hit the membrane of her wings and she reveled in the feel of them cool water against her. She was so focused on the water, reigning in the almost instinctive urge to twist the droplets in the air, to freeze them into crystal shards of ice, that she almost missed the first part of Ryuunosuke's offer.

She considered it. Being in the rain was dangerous for her, it lulled her into comfort and trying to stop herself from twirling and shaping the water before her would be torture. But she wanted to, so deeply. As the rain started to fall, heavier and heavier with each passing second, she drank in the sensation, the humming that each of water called out to her with. It was dangerous for her to be out here.

But, she reasoned to herself, it would be rude to pull her company away from what he so longed. It was a weak argument, but she clung to it. She tilted her head back to look up at the dark clouds and stare into the upcoming storm. "I would not mind staying," she finally answered, blinking as another drop landed on her lashes. "I would not wish to keep you from the storm and a little water will do me no harm."

LydaLynn

 

[LydaLynn]

Ryuunosuke tilts his head up to the sky as the rain starts falling. He almost misses her words, but . . . something in her voice has him looking over at her.

He pauses, still, watching. Her expression, the longing in her voice, the hesitant reaching . . . Is it possible? She looked like one born to fire, but the more he spoke with her, the more he wondered. And as she said 'a little water' it was like one starving speaking of food.

His voice hesitant, soft, low, and gentle. "Kilauea . . . " He didn't know how to frame the question. Instead he pulls the water into a twisting spout between them.

What he was thinking was only a game among his herd, but he thought maybe here, in this strange land, it would not be, so he hesitated. Holding the water in it's spiral with his power he takes a breath, eyes seeking hers.

"You are drawn to the storm," His voice almost apologetic in it's kind and soft timber. "It is not the lightning nor the wind." He breaths in the wet air, filling his lungs as he takes a step closer to her. "Did they reject you because of the water?" His eyes hold sorrow for her without pity and a spark of anger against her people, even if it was only speculation yet.

But he could see, not that he looked, the way she was twisted, away from the water while her wings spread out for it's touch. The near feverish look in her eyes as she battled with herself in the storm. She looked like fire, like molten heat and blazing light from darkness. But he had seen others in the thrall of their element.

Another step closer, "Kilauea . . . it is alright. Reach out and it will sooth you. There is no shame in being who you are, who you are meant to be. The Spirits know what is right and needful. You are important, to be called outside your family. It is only their loss if they do not see that."

Teh Cheryl