Welcome to Gaia! ::

Talisia was humming softly under her breath as she walked back towards the manor. Her arms were full of bundled cloths which she continued to bounce up and down in her arms as she navigated through the snowy fields. At least the weather is nice. The hybrid smiled happily as she glanced up through the thin clouds – even though it was gently snowing there was sunlight peeking through and she doubted that there would be a blizzard today. Or perhaps she was biased since a certain man had come back into her life? Was that why the weather seemed so nice? Flushing lightly, Talisia shook her head rapidly to clear her thoughts.

“I’m like some giggly doe-eyed apprentice.” She quipped lightly to the raptrix that was walking next to her, “Right, Silva?”

Though her companion’s gaze wasn’t focused on her at all right now. Talisia pursed her lips in protest before she too found herself looking forward. Was there someone here? “It’s too early for an appointment…” The woman frowned as she walked through the snow and towards her home, “Hello?” Talisia called out though her gaze was wary. Was that a janarim with the girl? She never expected to see one of those all the way out here. But she was growing accustomed to strangers just appearing with beasts – it seemed the town was constantly in need of her aid. Though this girl was someone she had never seen before, “May I help you?” Behind her the raptrix loomed like a shadow, intently studying the strangers.

Glancing at her raptrix from the corner of her eye Talisia whistled softly, "It's okay." She murmured as the giant beast peered closer, "They are fine." Though she admittedly had to laugh as she turned to face the iceling, "That would definitely be a first." It was curious why the girl would rather see a hybrid than a pure, but Talisia wasn't one to pry on another's affairs. As long as it didn't harm her family or sanctuary that was.

"You're fine." Talisia smiled, "You happen to be in luck - I do tend to have supplies around here." The hybrid shook her head at the offer of money, "Rather than money I need hands." She held up the bundle of cloths, "If you care to help me out for a couple of days I could offer you a place to rest and some supplies. Even a home cooked meal if you're lucky. How does that sound?"

Talisia smiled, "Seems like we can start with food first. Normally I don't let a janarim into my main hall, but today we'll make an exception." If he could the raptrix behind her would have rolled his eyes, but instead settled for turning away. Without warning the beast opened his wings before flying off into the skies, "I don't think your Iska would want to fly and hunt with, Silva. I do have some meat in the salt house though so hopefully that will do."

"You do?" Talisia's expression lit up, "Oh then the spirits must have known! I've been swamped with beasts lately so having a pair of helping hands is definitely a blessing." She pushed open the doors and walked them inside to a large hallway of stone lined with torches and stained glass windows, "Feel free to warm up. The main room is up ahead with a fireplace - it should be burning a good fire still."

Placing the bundle of cloth on the bottom step of side stairs, the hybrid began to walk forward. "Talisia, you can call me Tali if you wish." The hybrid motioned for the girl and beast to follow her through the empty hall, "Now tell me what type of meal do you prefer? I want to make certain you have plenty of energy before I put you to work."

"Sounds good to me." Talisia laughed, "Honestly I'm glad you asked for something rather simple. I'm not the best at cooking and since Zyphire is out for a bit we'll have to make due with me." The hybrid pushed open two doors that slowly swung inwards with a creak. Before them was a long table with enough chairs to fit at least eight others if not more. Behind it crackled a large fire in a stone chimney that led to the smoke swirling up to the skies outside of the manor house. To the right of that was a curved doorway which was used by servants in the past as they carried food to and from the kitchen.

"That would be great, actually. What type of soup do you have in mind? I have some dried greens for a clear broth, but we also have plenty of meat for a heartier stew along with some roots and vegetables." As she walked down the hallway the woman's boots echoed through the empty room, "And you are most welcome. How could I not greet someone so excited to see a hybrid?" She teased lightly as she peered back towards the girl, "Sincerely though these halls are a bit empty so I'm glad to share them with someone like you. Perhaps it's the motherly instincts in me?" She added thoughtfully before waving a hand, "Either way I do need the help so feel free to stay as long as you need. Obviously we have plenty of rooms - this was a summer manor of my mother's family which used to host parties. In the past apparently they used to always have several cousins living here along with the family's own siblings which could have ranged from five to ten I'm told. Now it's just my twin and I so it's rather empty." Her great grandfather had a couple of wives after all and was rumored even to have a mistress. Talisia shook her head at the memories from her childhood. How strange to think that such a place used to once be so busy.

And now it was quiet save for the soft pitter patter of paws as a gray shadow emerged to rub around her legs, "Oh?" The hybrid smiled as she picked the perzi up in her arms, "I'm surprised since Zari usually stays hidden - she must know we were talking about food."

"Enough of my rambling, let's get to cooking." Grinning towards Serana the woman continued forward past the table and towards the curved archway.

Talisia gathered several vegetables in her arms, "The pots are - " She trailed off and actually found herself laughing at the interaction between beast and girl, "Seems like I don't need to point them out after all. Too bad you aren't a beast charmer. Honestly, if it wasn't for your spear I may have thought that was your calling." Since she got along so well with a janarim after all. Though Talisia had studied the Oban creatures before - once bonded with a rider they truly were obedient and loving creatures. If not a little mischievous as well.

"That sounds good to me. Let's throw in a few spices and some of these to go with it." She tossed a few greens on the counter along with some orange root vegetables. Since it wasn't the warmer months it was hard to have many things save for what she had saved in storage. Next year though the woman was curious to see if she could convince Eresin to help her set up one of those gardening rooms with the glass walls. Now that would make for a wonderful winter room.

"There's some meat next to you. I can go ahead and get that prepared if you slice up the rest of the vegetables." Instructed Talisia as she went over to fight with another pot. She would throw some spices on the meat and go ahead to set this in the fire, "That way the meat is super tender for the soup." She smiled as she hustled about the kitchen, "At least that's what I was told by Zyphire." But she had to be careful of burning it - right? Right. She totally knew how to cook - hah!

Talisia continued to work silently in the kitchen as the girl spoke. Despite her own silence the woman's knife chopping got a bit more severe as Serana spilled her story. So it seemed that even after being gone from Zena for nearly a decade that some things hadn't completely changed. Every word reminded her of her own mother and the darkness that she had brought into the world. As Serana apologized it grew quiet in the kitchen and ever so slowly Talisia placed down her knife and grabbed the bowl, but rather than keeping it in her hand the woman simply left it on the counter so that she could reach out for the girl instead.

"You know, I normally don't give affection to others but oddly enough your story is reminiscent of something I once knew." The hybrid smiled as she squeezed the younger iceling, "You did what was right - never doubt that. We cannot help the things we are born into or the blood which we share with others. You know once a sorceress owned this manor and she would have men tortured in another estate far into the north. Any that spoke ill of her would find themselves ill soon enough while she stepped over the world as if it belonged solely to her."

Talisia let go of Serana and went back to the bowl with a sigh, "But as children of darkness we make a decision to go towards better goals. You may have been seen as silly wielding a staff as some fancy little princess, but the spirits always have a reason." The hybrid smiled and glanced at Serana from the corner of her gaze, "At least you won't have to worry while being here. You're well protected and can consider this place your home as often as needed."

"Don't make me whack you with this spoon." Threatened Talisia as the girl started again, "I welcomed you so you are not going to ever impose upon me or inconvenience me, okay?" The hybrid turned back away so that she could focus on preparing the pot of vegetables to add to the stew already cooking in the fire.

"Now if you need to leave to get on with your life or find some drastic adventure for the betterment of Tendaji then I'll say okay you can leave." Added Talisia with a small grin, "But please don't think that you are a trouble. This is an animal sanctuary you are in and trust me - I've had a few broken wings and cranky beasts that cause me far more problems than a young girl seeking to find her way in this world."

That stated Talisia brushed past Serana with a playful bump of the hip and went to go put the stew together on the fire.