The word felt strange in her mind. Honestly it felt like these days her mind was constantly filled with a fuzzy feeling. It was a mix of her disbelief and sorrow that tormented her mind. How was she supposed to deal with this knowledge? That her father had a lover back here in Jauhar and had only been stolen by her mother? He had a daughter here as well, her half-sister, who never knew him while she had been the one to take all of his love while growing up.
“Kaleo.” His name felt stale on Talisia’s lips as she whispered the name once more. For years she had worked to suppress the memories that created such an ache in her chest, but now even the sweetest of those memories were a haunting reminder for her. She was a monster, someone who was cursed by not being meant to be. Her mother had threatened fate and had tried her hardest to claim what had not been truly her’s. Therefore it was no wonder that Talisia and her twin had lived such a cursed existence!
Ciaran. Her twin would have known what to do. Talisia squeezed her legs as she curled up against the tree. What was he doing now? Was he still living under that damn roof? That prison….her eyes burned as the final memories of her twin flickered through her mind. His body too….he had been bleeding….she swallowed the sob that nearly escaped. I have to hold it together….I can’t falter now.
She had a half-sister now.
Strange as it was Talisia was thankful that it was Dris. It was strange how fate had brought the two girls together and had kept their friendship alive even through war. Fighting the alkilides had been easier than this. She truly couldn’t deal with the feelings that wrecked her body.
“Yukiyo.” A chirp caught the girl’s attention and she rubbed the feathery head of the baby kinfa, “You were abnormal too weren’t you?” Mostly white the little kinfa had started showing signs of color, but even then there was not much save for the palest pink and indigo on the tips of her feathers. Everything else was white, snow white like the mountains of Zena.
It almost made her homesick.
Yet now they were heading somewhere far different than her homelands. As she packed the few belongings she had Talisia had doubted Dris. How could a land exist that was all sands and heat? It was strange thinking that there was a land that existed, the exact opposite of her own home.
Still as Talisia wrapped the scarf tightly around her face the girl shook her head, “To think I doubted Dris.” The sands were sharp against her face as they traveled through Oba. Others kept going on about a tournament, but all Talisia cared for was to find out more about the land’s animals. Camp had been made and while the others wandered away the girl had taken a moment to keep to herself.
After all it still felt strange to be around her…half-sister.
“Eventually I should get used to this right?” Talisia’s gaze flickered over towards the huge form of a raptrix, “Just like you and this heat, Silva.”
The beast gave her a look before stretching back out into the shade of a tent. Obviously the raptrix wasn’t in the best of moods out in the desert, but he was making the best of it. Talisia had made certain to keep him near water and the next time they arrived at an oasis without people the large beast would be splashing through. Flying with possible sandstorms had been too dangerous so he had mostly followed on paws, save for especially clear skies and even then he had been wary.
“Sorry.” Stretching Talisia walked over towards her companion with a slow smile, “You’ll be alright, okay?” She gently placed a full bucket of water next to him, “Just rest and heal up okay?” His paws were sore definitely by now. Frowning she took more bandages and wrapped them against his paw pads, “I’ll keep ointment on them for you.” She rubbed his ears as he growled lightly, “Don’t’ be a puppy. You’re fine.”
Perhaps the market would have more goods for her? While the others were off fighting or going to the tourney she could sneak away there…Talisia took a deep breath. Traders came from Zena and Jauhar to these markets so she should be fine.
Right?
“Well I suppose it’s better than just sitting around.” Talisia smiled quietly as she began to pack up a basket, “Silva you stay here and I’ll be back shortly.” A chirp caught her attention and the hybrid smiled as she rubbed the kinfa’s back once more, “Want to come along, Yukiyo?”
Nodding the little one fluttered from her perch to land on Talisia’s shoulder, “Alright, alright.” She fixed her scarf once more before starting across the sands. At least they weren’t too far away from the oasis. Ahead she could see the outlines of the town.
The marketplace would be busy. A light shiver ran down her spine despite the heat. Jauhar wasn’t so bad…so surely she could handle Oba and strangers, right? Her chest knotted at the thought. She had money that was fine…her cloak could hide most of her features from wandering eyes as well. Talisia swallowed lightly as she reached up to tickle her kinfa’s beak. She had to be strong. How else was she supposed to ever be a true tamer? Fighting, taming, and making deals in the market…none of that should daunt her. Plus, she knew her companions would be nearby in the city. If all else failed…no she could be fine on her own.
She had survived Zena, she had survived a great battle, and even survived a devastating family reveal. There wasn’t much left to shake her at this point. So what could a trip to the market do?
This should be fine.
She had this.
(1001)
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 11:27 am
World Event Solo:
Monsters?
[X] - Talisia ponders over the rumors while bracing herself for future battles.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 3:04 pm
Beast Battles:
Talisia begins her attempts to train with beasts...
[In this class quest, Talisia learns the shocking truth that her twin brother is in fact alive. Not only does this force her to face her past, and her guilt at leaving him behind in Zena while she ran away, but it also presents another challenge: her brother is now a mage. (Since being a child, Talisia was traumatized by the destructive uses of magic and has carried over that fear) Fearful that he might become destructive like their mother, Talisia has to face her doubts and decide to instead trust in her brother. She instead finds the courage and decides to go and find him back in Jauhar so that she can face her own fears and learn the truth about what really happened all that time ago when she had thought him left for dead…
It’s also a moment for her to face her own decision to go apologize to him and to realize that having him back is worth far more than her own freedom. No longer will she let the nightmares of the past hold her back as she will go through anything to have her twin again. Knowing that he is alive will change her future plans and potentially allow her to venture back home to Zena in the future. She doesn’t know it yet but finding Kian will also reveal that there is no more threat from their mother, as the woman has passed away.
This will also be a crucial plot point in the fact that it’s forcing her to leave behind the comforts that she had gotten used to by traveling with her half-sister, Dris. Instead she is now going to help Eresin (a friend who due to this journey will also become dearer to her) find his way to Jauhar where both his uncle and Kian are waiting.]
At night she would dream. She was playing with her twin brother in the long hallways of their home back in Zena. Their father would be out for the day with their mother, leaving the two of them up to their own devices. Oddly enough in her dream things would warp and the ball that the two of them played with would become a ball of light that bounced through the hallways….later she would find men tortured and she would remember crying….her brother would hold her and comfort her. Don’t worry Talisia, I won’t ever let magic touch you.
She couldn’t remember any of the details of why her brother’s gaze had shifted while he spoke or the heartbreak he had felt that day when he caught her shivering in fear of magic…none of it ever connected. All she knew was that she wished she could hold onto those happy memories and not let the darkness of the past linger in her heart instead. Yet, every night even the happiest of dreams could quickly turn into another nightmare of losing him…
After another restless night, Talisia decided to head towards the desert and train. It was while she was leaving camp that she ran into the pair of wind siblings. One an older girl, just a few years shy of Talisia, had hold of her little brother’s hand. However, once she spotted Talisia the girl had paused and stared for the longest time. Her expression was a mix of both awe and surprise.
Raising an eyebrow, Talisia had made to pass around the pair. While younglings were alright, the hybrid wasn’t too experienced with how to deal with them. It also annoyed her to no end when strangers gazed at her like that. It was almost half tempting to dye her white hair black and as long as she kept it like that, no one would realize she was a hybrid. Yet, her gaze. That was the one thing she couldn’t change and it was the one thing that had tied her to her twin. It was normally her gaze that actually got her in trouble as well. Most had to pause and stare the bi-colored pair of eyes, especially when it became noticeable that the silver one shifted.
She truly hated being stared at.
That in mind, Talisia almost snapped at the girl when she felt the tug on her skirts. “Yes?” She had to hold her tongue, this was just a child. Still! Whatever could be so striking that these two just had to continue staring at her like that? Makes me feel like some exotic beast on display. Just the thought sent a shiver down her spine. Never would she allow such a thing to happen to herself.
“Miss…” The girl flushed lightly before glancing away, “I’m sorry, but you just happened to remind us of someone.”
Frowning, Talisia actually paused. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” She had no one else that looked like her…not anymore at least. Ciaran was dead, she had seen him lying on the snows that night. There had been no way that he could have survived so much blood loss. Just the memory made her stomach churn. Why now? Couldn’t she just go along on her day and not have to have these memories haunt her?
“Eyes!” The little boy spoke up with a grin, “Sparkly silvers and golds!” He reached out as if to wrap his arms around Talisia but his older sister held him back. Pouting, the boy just held onto his sister’s hand while continuing to stare at Talisia.
Talisia felt as if her heart was stopping.
Not noticing the hybrid’s startled reaction the girl nodded, “That’s right! He had the same eyes and really the same face as you…but he was darker. Dark skin and dark hair, but the same features.” She smiled, “Almost like night and day.” The little boy at her side nodded happily.
Meanwhile Talisia stood stone still. There was no way, “Did…did you live in Zena when you were really young perhaps?” It was a desperate attempt to explain the situation. Ciaran was dead, she had seen him die, he had sacrificed himself for her, and she would have never left him in such an awful place alone….oh gods.
Flushing even more the girl smiled sheepishly, “Sorry if that sounded crazy, but he saved us so we remembered him well. And it was just a couple of months ago in Sauti. He rescued us from bandits who were threatening our mother’s shop.” She glanced down at her brother with a small smile, “Without his help we would have never made it to Oba.”
“Sparkly magic!” Her brother chimed in, “He made them go away by setting them on fire~!”
“Hiro!” The girl squeaked and covered her brother’s mouth, “He said not to tell anyone about that!” She looked towards Talisia apologetically, “Sorry to bother you. I just had to see if you knew about him. We didn’t even get his name because he left in such a hurry. I was hoping to actually thank him if he was with you. Are you siblings, maybe?”
“I – I don’t know.” A faint smile, torn with grief and confusion, decorated her features. “I don’t know any mage like that.” She had a twin, but he was no mage…right? Taking a deep breath the hybrid reached out to pat the girl’s shoulder, “If I do come across someone like that I’ll let him know that a pair of siblings wished to thank him. Did….he say where he would be going?”
“Jauhar~” The little boy sang and the girl squeaked again.
“Hiro, stop it!” Sighing, the girl shook her head. “He asked us not to tell anyone, but apparently he was heading towards Jauhar with another mage, his mentor. We tried convincing him to go to Oba with us, but he said they had to go there.” A wistful expression crossed her face, “It would have been nice if he could have traveled with us…”
“Jauhar, you said?” Her heart suddenly started up with a loud thudding in her ears, “Are you certain?”
The girl nodded, “Are you sure you don’t know him, miss? You seem rather…interested in him.”
Talisia laughed awkwardly, “I uh…just am curious about who could look so much like me. AS it is I have things to do and I’m certain your mother will be looking for you both. Go on then and have a nice day~” Waving she darted away from them. Though her feet didn’t really know where they were going.
Ciaran had saved them? With magic? Just the thought sent chills all over her body despite the Oban heat. “Magic, my twin uses magic?” She had recently learned that she had more than a simple knack for healing herself in battle, but the girl couldn’t imagine her twin using magic. Destructive magic at that. To have harmed others with that…her gentle brother? No, no, no. But wouldn’t it be better that he was alive and fighting than dead back in Zena?
Then what about their mother? If she had let Talisia leave that was something, but Ciaran was like a prize to her. Would that mean her mother was out here somewhere? Please, no. More than that, her brother was here. Had he done something to escape? Had something happened to their mother?
Even more so was….how was he alive?
The nightmares she had since leaving Zena, the haunting images of Ciaran bleeding on the snows….they had stayed with her this whole time. Had they just been a trick of her mind? A way to ease her consciousness as she fled across Tendaji without her twin? Oh, Ciaran. Once more the tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks. Running, Talisia paid no mind to her direction as she darted across the sands. She had to get away from everyone!
What was she to believe? Her brother was dead or alive?
And if he was alive, what did she do? She had desperately sought to avoid the past at all costs. She had gotten comfortable living in Jauhar and now Oba…was she to give all of that up now as well? Oh, but the hope that rose in her soul! If Ciaran was alive…”But he’s a mage.” She wanted to punch something. She remembered those haunting memories, those awful accusations she had made against magic users as a youngling.
Who could blame her? Their mother had been such a formidable woman and had misused magic in the worst possible ways…Am I just making excuses for myself again? Sighing Talisia sank into the sands and burrowed her face in her hands. What would have made Ciaran pick up magic of all things?! Had their mother finally twisted him to her will? Talisia’s heart knotted in terror. She remembered those days of being scorned by her own twin, of being punished by her mother for him spying on her, for his cold exterior when she was left alone for weeks by both of them….almost as if she hadn’t existed. What if Nivedita had sent him out to retrieve her? What if she was to be his next victim? Despite saving those children he had harmed others to do so! Maybe even killed! What if he had become just like their mother?
“But he’s my twin…” A sudden stillness entered her mind as she sat out in the middle of the desert. Memories of the sweetest melodies and laughter floated across her mind, almost as if reminding her. Darkness hadn’t always ruled their lives…once she had spent blessed moments with her twin and father. Those had been happy days, full of hope and laughter. Her father’s death had changed everything, but the relationship between her and her twin had remained strong.
I’ll get us out of here yet, Tally! Just wait for me okay?
But how can we do anything? Mamma will be watching!
Just trust me little sister! I’ll always have your back. Your happiness is my happiness and your tears are my tears. We are connected remember? He had pointed to their eyes with a smile, One half of me is always with you and one half of you is always with me. She had his silver and he had her gold. Talisia sobbed at the memories. And then his sacrifice for her at the very end. No matter how cold he had been, it had been a farce to protect her! He had suffered so much to keep her safe and how did she repay him? She ran. She had run away without even reaching back for him.
Would he ever forgive her?
There was only one way to find out. “Ciaran…hold on I’m coming to find you.” She would have to give up the comforts that she had of this new life to go and chase her own past. It was a sacrifice, however, that she was willing to make for her twin. After all he was her other half of her soul and they needed to be together. She had to make sure it was truly him and then beg for his forgiveness. He was her family after all and she loved him for it. Even though Dris was now her sister, the girl knew that there was a bond between her and Ciaran that was ancient. One soul, split into two bodies.
It was a few hours later that Talisia was packing her belongings. After she had calmed down the girl had realized a few things. Her twin was going to Jauhar and traveling with a mentor…Eresin wanted to go to Jauhar to find his mentor, another Zenan. Could it be possible? Talisia could only smile.
There was only one way to find out.
Spinning on her heels, Talisia whistled and her familiars followed her as she started towards the city. She would find Eresin and together they would travel to Jauhar to find the two people that they needed the most. Him, his uncle, and Talisia her dear twin.
(2011)
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 9:18 am
Reflections and Decisions
Talisia had been so enraged when she first reunited with her twin. In fact, rather than hugging or crying on his shoulder the girl had come straight at him with firsts raised. A few smacks and a couple of good kicks and punches later the girl had found him wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.
“You’re such an a**!” Talisia smiled at the memory as she stretched out along a high limb of a crystal tree, “ Ciaran…why?” Her next question had finally led to the flood of tears which had been built up for years since her twin’s disappearance. And as simply as that she had stood there with him holding onto her for a rather long time. Eventually once the tears stopped she managed to get some questions out and even conversed with him for a while. There were still a million things she wanted to know since so many years had passed between them, but even Talisia didn’t know how to approach a past that placed shadow’s over her twin’s eyes. Could she even retell most of her life to him that easily?
“I’m still in shock honestly, Zari.” Murmured Talisia to the perzi who was nestled in her lap. While most of her familiars did their own thing it was the perzi who often rode along the girl’s shoulders, in her knapsack, or chased after her heel through the jungles of Jauhar. So it never shocked Talisia to see the kitten hop along a branch to climb after her in the tree tops. Nor was it surprising to see that the hybrid often would talk to the perzi while they were alone – much better than just mulling thoughts to herself.
The perzi, however, only offered a faint ‘meow’ before wiggling back into her lap.
“How would you handle a dead man coming back to life?” Talisia huffed quietly as she rested her head against the tree, “Or that you’re now living with him as he trains to be a mage out of all things?” Her mother had traumatized her through the misuse of magic, but now both her twin and one of their closest friends turned out to be mages. Even Talisia had a knack for healing had she not chosen to go along the beast tamer path. Actually healing was what brought her to beasts in the first place…now that she thought about it. The thought brought a small smile to her lips, “I suppose I was a hypocrite at that since I can use a little spell here and there.” Perhaps it was just because she had never realized magic could do good as well as bad? She had only seen the darkness for so long that she had forgotten light could exist as well.
Talisia could be thankful to Eresin for that. Just the thought of the goofy, adorable mage brought a small smile to her lips. He was definitely dedicated to showing her that magic could have positive uses as well. Even while being busy training with Kian under Nerio the mage would spare a moment to show her a bit of this and that. Strange how Talisia was getting so accustomed to having the other ice male in her life. For so long she had stayed away from Zena, but it seemed the country continued sending things and people her way. First Eresin and now Kian out of all things…Talisia could only shake her head before reaching out a hand to rub her perzi’s head.
“I really don’t even know what to do now.” She mused softly as Zari purred towards her, “Do I just simply stay here and wait while they do their thing?” She even had found a girl to train in the art of beast taming, but even that wouldn’t last forever. Jahaur was beautiful and half of her own blood came from here, but there was still something missing. Without Dris nearby as well Talisia really felt at a loss. “I wish you weren’t in Oba right now.” She smiled, what would their sister think once she met Ciaran – no, Kian?
Talisia frowned. He had told her that the name change was Nerio’s idea – that doing such a thing could allow him to throw away the past. But what exactly had he done to demand such a drastic change? Even she hadn’t thrown away her name…was it because of their mother? Had he wanted absolutely no memory of her? Then he probably hates to look at me. Even if she had her father’s gemstone features and his gentle smile the girl knew that she was almost identical to their mother. Did that mean Kian hated to look at her?
No… His reaction to seeing her had been so loving. Yet why had he avoided her for so many years? Was it simply because he thought she was doing fine on her own and he didn’t want to remind her of the past? Or was it because she too reminded him of the person who made their lives so miserable for so long? Talisia bowed her head. If there was anything she was ever jealous about it was that her brother took the shifter appearance over her icy one. Even their mother had hated her for appearing more Zenan than shifter.
“Mrreow?”
Talisia’s eyes snapped open, “Oh! Sorry Zari. I didn’t meant to zone out there.” The hybrid smiled as she forced the worries aside, “Should we go get some food now? Seems rather late, right?” Reaching out she grabbed the tiny perzi and helped the creature to perch on her shoulders, “Hold on.”
Since she had a passenger Talisia took more care than usual when climbing down the huge tree. Still, it was obvious that she had plenty of experience doing such things because her descent was graceful and without flaw. A vine here and there were grabbed to help her descent, but once she reached the more normal ladders the girl just climbed down with ease. If there was one thing she did enjoy about Jauhar it was the mobility of the villages. Who knew that having homes up here in the trees could be so fun?
With her passenger snug on her shoulders Talisia ventured away from the normal path so that she could head out into the actual trees of Jahaur where a camp had been made in the roots of one of the great trees. Even if the Alkidikes preferred the ground Talisia’s twin and his mentor both enjoyed being down as well. I suppose mages are more fearless than others. Or…rather more foolish. She thought with a small smirk.
But it was here that she had called home for the past few weeks and it was probably here that she would stay for a few more moons yet. At least until she could figure out what she could do with herself. Exactly what was her true path now? She had gone from just wanting to survive, to finding family, and then to even reuniting with her twin. Was just living too simple a request? Frowning, Talisia set down her perzi companion before opening a bag and digging out some jerky to share with the cat.
She would figure it out eventually, right?
It was strange – she should feel happy and at peace considering how much had finally resolved in her life, but there was something missing. She had found Dris, but that was only her father’s daughter. His actual family had yet to appear. In all the chaos of the battle with the extremists and the revelation that took her to Oba for a time the girl hadn’t actually thought about finding her father’s family. What if he had brothers or sisters? Cousins, aunts, uncles? The thought made Talisia purse her lips. How big was her father’s family? He had been a gypsy, but that didn’t mean others hadn’t made roots.
“I need to find out more about him.” Should she ask for Kian’s help in the matter? He was so busy with training that she pushed aside the thought. No, this was something that she could do for the both of them. Perhaps if they found out more about their father’s roots then that could help to wash away the unease brought by their mother’s bloodline. Surely there could be some balance found – some good to outweigh the years of bad.
“Now watch him have been an orphan this whole time.” She joked quietly to the perzi who just continued munching away at her food, “I’ll feel like a fool, but at least I’ll know.” She nodded at her decision. In the morning then she would pack up her bags and ask Silva to fly her to some of the villages. Perhaps if she asked around about a rogue named Kaleo she could find some traces of his past in these jungles. From there she could then see if any of those traces held an ounce of blood that would relate itself back to her and her siblings….
(1512)
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:53 am
Confession Depression?
Talisia stared out over the waters. They were rather enchanting in the starlight with the smooth surface almost akin to a mirror. The great mother was partly hidden by clouds, but other than that the rest of the rays continued to come through the sky so that they too could glimmer along the cool surface. How pretty. She found herself thinking with a small smile before yet another sigh left her lips. “What am I supposed to do about this?” Moaning the hybrid rubbed her forehead one more time before falling backwards onto the grass. Since Eresin’s confession during the storm Talisia had found herself constantly distracted or flushing from the mere thought of him and that day. It had gotten so bad that she had Silva fly her out of the area and towards this nice calming spot she had seen on their last flight.
Not that it helped – it only allowed her to hide her frazzled state from outside eyes.
What if Kian had noticed after all? Her cheeks deepening to a new shade of purple the girl shook her head. No, no, and no! She was definitely not going to let him know about this! The teasing would be non-stop. If it wasn’t already awkward enough, then her twin would make certain to add to that awkwardness! Oh and he would just simply enjoy it to death wouldn’t he? Talisia was so thankful that he had been sent away for a few weeks else the other hybrid would be picking and prodding at the awkward air that dominated their encampment lately.
At least the stars were pretty. Talisia raised a hand to brush away the hair from her face as she stared up at the skies above. Couldn’t she just become a star? There wouldn’t be any worries – she could just watch over her loved ones from the skies above without having to decide on her own problems. Was it even a problem? What if she was the problem? Wasn’t she sick like lately as well? Her face always flushed and her heart always racing…that definitely seemed like some sort of sickness. Maybe some teas at home would help to clear her mind later.
Home.
Had she started thinking of the encampment as a home? It couldn’t be – it was only a temporary spot, but having both Eresin and Kian there for her made her feel as if in a sense she was coming back to a family. “A very strange and messy family.” She quipped to herself with a small smile that flickered away. Had she just considered Eresin like a little brother this whole time? Was that the reason for her confusion? But then again she had never treated him like she had Kian – there was a difference sense of intimacy there. With Eresin it was easier to get flustered and to feel…strange. Talisia groaned as she rolled over on her stomach in the damp grass. This is why she mastered taming beasts – dealing with other earthlings was far too complicated!
She missed Dris. Her sister would surely have some advice for this situation. Wouldn’t she? The hybrid pursed her lips in frustration. The shifter woman probably had a whole load of experience with relationships and the like – especially since it had been months now since their last encounter. Every day Talisia had a faint hope that she could run into her sibling, but it seemed that the shifter was still somewhere in Oba. I wonder what could be keeping here there? Perhaps it was time for her own visit? But she didn’t want to leave her an apprentice just yet nor did she want to leave with the chance of losing Kian again. Eresin as well…wouldn’t he miss her?
Talisia closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose in protest. There she went again worrying about him! He was a grown man, he could handle himself. She had obviously seen that with all the training which had improved his strength and confidence. He was far from the shy and sheltered boy she had met in Oba. Saving her from the menzuri and helping her out after that fall…Eresin definitely was becoming someone. So he would be okay without her! Why continue to linger when he and Kian had their own studies to attend to? Yet, Talisia could never seem to bring herself to leave.
It was frustrating to say the least to not understand what was in her own heart.
So once more the girl just simply paced around the empty field. Silva, thankfully, was as patient as always and just came swooping back on his great wings once or twice to check on her. When he was tired of flying himself the raptrix would just trail after his companion. Looking over towards him the hybrid reached a hand out and ruffled the feathers along his neck, “Are you trying to tell me that you’re ready?” She asked with a small smile, “Stop wasting so much time Talisia and just decide already!” She mocked before pouting, “Easy for you to say…you see anything with a pretty pair of wings and you’re ready to settle down to form a new pack, right?”
His steel-blue eyes just stared at her before she let out a sigh.
“Alright, I know. It’s just hard…I don’t even know what love outside of family is like, let alone trying to feel it? I thought I liked someone once, but he never even spared me a glance…and now for this to happen? Oh, Silva – I’d much rather fight against another army than try to sort through this.” Talisia closed her eyes before leaning against her familiar – what a mess indeed.
(952 – 3 pnts)
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:04 pm
Finding Kin
She had been told about a place in Jahuar where her father’s family had once lived. A girl they said with great beauty had been cousin to Kaleo and as they were rasied together both found that they were fond of entertaining through music. So finally Talisia had found a trail of her own blood – something not tainted by her ice heritage!- in the rainforests. However, her disappointment was great when every village she visited from there on seemed to be wary of strangers asking about the woman and her child. Could she even find a name of the child? Talisia pursed her lips as she stared down at a rough map again, “Not this one either.”
Could they be so close to Alkidike territory?
“I suppose so. It’s our last chance.” Mused the woman quietly to the Xaraan who walked by her side. Shyam only seemed to nod slightly before moving forward down the trail on his own – he wasn’t much for waiting about and constantly pushed Talisia herself to move faster. Sighing, the hybrid slung her satchel back over her shoulder and started to march forward again.
“So she gave birth to a boy?”
“Aye, a wild child he was.” Murmured an elder shifter as she leaned against her door, “Why are ya lookin’ for that boy?”
Talisia smiled politely, “If he’s related to Kaleo then he is my younger cousin, miss.”
“Eh?” The woman scrunched her nose as she stared at the hybrid, “I thought you were some strange ole Zenan bein’ all the way out ‘ere, but yer a halfie?”
Flushing lightly, Talisia nodded her head. “Yes, ma’m. My mother was of Zenan origin, but my father – Kaleo- was from here. He just simply traveled as a gypsy and they met that way while he was out with friends on a caravan through Tendaji.”
“Humph. I ‘spose you halfsies are becoming more common so I can’t complain. Strange though, you could pass for an iceling if you just covered that hair and…those eyes.” She peered forward with a small smile of her own, “I’m not one ta judge – my ole man used ta though. He’d sneer at most of ya, but bless his heart he’s passed on years back before times started to change. Probably fer the better, right?”
Offering an awkward chuckle, Talisia simply nodded once more. “But suppose do you know where this boy…do you know his name perhaps? And also where he is currently?” Despite how much she just wanted to leave the chattering old biddy the hybrid was determined. This was her blood that the lady was speaking of! Could she truly find him, this boy that held relations with her and her siblings?
“Eck.” The old shifter tapped a finger against her chin thoughtfully, “Eylra might remember. I wasn’t much for anything save for when she told me the local gossip – so go ask my daughter down the stream. She should be there with the youngins.”
“Thank you for all your help.” Turning on her heel Talisia walked away -though ti was hard not to run full force- from the tree and towards a ladder so she could continue through the small local village and towards the edge of town.
Of course, when the older lady had said ‘youngins’ Talisia had only expected maybe two or three at the most. When she came into the area the hybrid almost turned away. Could a youngling scream so loudly? Was that one climbing the tree by itself? Oh my. That poor radaku which seemed to be trying to amuse three others held her heart. I suppose…he’s used to it by now. Raising a hand to cover her own laugh of surprise Talisia watched as the creature took one little girl by the britches and pulled her from the one who was trying to tug at her hair. These definitely were some feisty younglings.
A loud crash caught her attention and the woman turned to spot another shifter – younger, but with similar features to the elder- who was standing above a dropped laundry basket, “Oh my!” She gasped with a hand raised to her mouth, “I mean…” Lowering the hand the girl blushed, “May I help you?”
“I uh…” Talisia’s heart knotted – even now the reaction still startled her. “Had some questions about a young shifter boy you might know of.”
“Ah.” The woman frowned, “I’m sorry, but you just appeared so suddenly…how did you know to come here?”
“Your mother sent me.” Talisia attempted what she hoped was a polite smile, “I’m actually looking for my younger cousin through my father’s side. My father’s name was Kaleo and his cousin was a bard who entertained in the area, apparently she never lived long with her husband who died in the alkidike wars.”
“Zyphire?” The woman bit her bottom lip sheepishly, “I suppose…if you know that much then you must be somehow related to him. Are you really looking to take him away?” She continued before finally taking a few bold steps forward, “He left though moons ago.”
“Moons ago?” Talisia frowned, a hint of frustration showing on her features. “So that means he could be anywhere.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.” The woman glanced around them before taking another step closer so that she could be heard in a whisper, “You see…what really happened was that his grandmother passed away and his aunt -not by blood, but by marriage- absolutely despised him. I only happened to help him out here and there after a few fights he had with others – he was a rather rowdy boy, but had a good heart I promise. Because of that I learned that she had betrayed him, but everyone in the village was on her side because he did nothing to spare himself. She was charismatic like that and good at manipulating the image of little Zyphire. If you could find him…please help him.” She blinked up towards Talisia, her gaze surprisingly full of tears, “He deserves better.”
“I…I will.” Talisia bowed her head before talking with the woman for a bit more. From ste sounds of it he would look eerily similar to her twin, but with white hair and silver eyes. Strange, how that worked. She smiled so there was proof that they truly were related by blood then. So all that was left was to find him…
It would be a few days later that she finally found traces of a pick pocket who had passed from village to village – many even more so were upset about having their hearts broken by false promises that led to empty pockets later. A clever and manipulative boy then. Quickly, after the first fight she had in a village over stolen goods, Talisia had learned to become more vague about exactly why she was searching for this shifter boy. Less about finding family and more about inflicting punishment for him stealing from her as well – a lie, but something that easily got tongues wagging rather than fists raised against her.
“Not only does he look like Kian, but it sounds like he makes similar problems to him.” Quipped Talisia as she followed Shyam down a path. Now all that was left was to leave a trap for a young boy looking for a nice pouch of coins and a full meal…talk about a way to get a family reunion!
(1232-4 pnts)
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:54 pm
Heading Home
She had found him and now was bringing him home. Talisia still couldn’t help laughing about how they had initially met. She had given him the scare of a lifetime! But even then Zyphire had given her the steadiest gaze – death didn’t scare him, but being alone did. She could feel the deep pain of loss radiating from him as he finally conceded to her and actually asked for her to take him with her. “Save me, please.” Those words had been enough to rip through Talisia’s heart as she reached out and took the young boy into her arms.
“It’s okay, I have you now.”
Though while she had spoken boldly, Talisia was in a frenzy. How did she even handle helping to raise a young guy like him? He was just as prone to trouble as Kian! I went from having none, to having one again, and now I have double the trouble with two. She pressed a hand against her forehead with a sigh. So much for living that free roaming life -right?
But family was always worth the trouble. The thought brought a small smile to Talisia’s features. She would help him to rest and recover. After all he had been a mess from living on his own, despite attempts to stay cleaned and decently off the boy had a ragged approach to him and even had some rib showing. He had lived well enough by picking off others at first, but the last month had been harsh on him as rumors spread about the thieving shifter boy. His refusal to join a gang as well showed harsh results as bruises and cuts needed to be attended to – something that Talisia had enforced with a strong hand.
”OW!” He had cried out in protest as she leaned over him with healing ointments and bandages, “Can’t you be gentle?’
“Trust me – that is her gentle.” Quipped Kian from the corner, “Now let her heal you, cousin.”
“Pft, cousin me more why dontcha?” Zyphire held back a string of curses as Talisia placed an even firmer hand against his back, “Okay already! Just hurry up?”
Kian just laughed, “Be glad it’s her taking care of you and not me. Those would be drenched in alcohol rather than soothing herbs first. She’s taking it easy on you, kid.”
“By your definitions of ‘easy’ and ‘gentle’ I’m starting to worry for my life now. I didn’t realize I signed up for a hardcore training course with my ‘loving’ new family members.”
Sensing another smart a** reply in the air, Talisia finally spoke up. “Kian, please. You two can ‘bond’ later if you would like, but for now no harassing the patient.”
“Yes, m’am.” Kian bowed his head, “I’ll leave you to it then, Tally.”
“Thanks.” The hybrid had rolled her eyes at her twin as he backed away. What a trouble maker! She just hoped that she didn’t bring Zyphire here so that they could kill each other. Thankfully after the treatment Zyphire was out for the rest of the night and rather quiet the next few days while healing….
Now only a day later Talisia watched as the boy sparred in the camp with Kian. Funny how her twin used his fists more than the magic which thrived inside of him. The hybrid shook her head before turning away, “If Zyphire turns into a mage – I’m retiring.” She stated simply to her perzi who followed her through the long grasses. At least Dris wasn’t a mage and it was only Kian so far. That was from their mother so hopefully their dad’s bloodline was alright…but her thoughts drifted to the ice mage who was off meditating once more. Truly, not all mages were awful creatures – he had proven that to her. So maybe it would be okay if Zyphire did pick up magic. Not that she would encourage him, but if the boy wanted to do so then…she would support it.
He was her family after all and despite any bickering or pranks the girl was determined to keep up with him and Kian both – even if the stress did take a few years of her life early! At least I don’t have to worry about getting white hairs… She laughed softly at the bad pun before walking away so that she could do some training of her own. Goodness knew that she needed something to get her mind off of the whirlwind of events that had been unfolding lately.
Honestly, she didn’t even know if she could take anymore.
Perhaps then it was time to go back to that place where her mother had cast her away. To the place that her brother admitted was now free of that woman’s presence. Just the mere thought made her chest clench. Could she truly do it? And would Zyphire be up for going to Zena now? He was a shifter after all and not a hybrid – but from the way he had reacted towards her, Talisia had the feeling that honestly as long as he was away from that place he would be content in any climate.
But could she break it to her companions that she was going to roam that way? Eresin… A light flush decorated her cheeks. Maybe if she was lucky Nerio and Eresin were planning on leaving soon anyways? She had noticed the mage seemed more distant as if he were thinking the same thing – both of his apprentices seemed to be almost ready for change and to become their own masters soon enough.
Talisia smiled at the thought. “I suppose it is time for a wind of change.”
Oh, but if only she knew how that change was to occur…
(958 – 3 pnts)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:03 pm
A Walk
Splashing through the crystal clear waters, Talisia tried to calm her mind. While she had been busy spending the afternoons training an apprentice, finding Zyphire, helping feed the boys, and also doing odd tasks around the nearby villages the woman hadn’t spent much time on herself. So today she had declared a day for her own relaxation and amusement. No one should expect me home tonight, okay? She had simply stated before slinging her satchel over a shoulder, I’m going camping – on my own. Well, technically not on her own considering how her familiars were following her, but it was fine. She just needed a break from worry about everyone else and instead wanted to spend a day just exploring.
Like the good old days when she was more focused on discovering the countries that existed outside of Zena rather than getting so tied up in connections with other earthlings and family. Though the thought did make her purse her lips – should she go visit Dris? Oba would take a few days by air if she went, but doing that would require leaving Shyam in the hands of the boys – a thought that while amusing probably wasn’t the best idea. Talisia’s gaze slipped over towards the blue Xaraan who was walking through the trees and doing his own thing. Even though she loved the Xaraan dearly and treasured their runs together he did have his quirks. Those quirks especially included being possessive of Talisia and very, very angry against any male who dared walk close to her. Though it was amusing to watch him snap after Kian whenever her twin tried to be loving.
”Not even a hug, you beast? I can’t even hug her?” He would glower at Shyam and Talisia would swear that the Xaraan would glare back before taunting him by laying his own head against Talisia’s shoulder or lap, “Oh so that’s your game.” Quipped Kian, “I’ll remember this next time I’m hungry and we don’t have any fresh meat.”
“Kian!” Talisia glared at him before shaking her head, “Shyam is just protective. He doesn’t want me to get injured is all.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure that’s what it is.” Kian ran a hand through his hair, “I need to find that thing a female before it pecks me full of even more holes.” That stated he would turn away before trying to sneak back again to spend time with Talisia…
It truly was amusing to watch. Shaking her head at the memory Talisia focused more on the path in front of her. All of her familiars had their own unique quirks and skills, but they were all special to her. Though she did have to admit to a bit of bias as she glanced up towards the skies above. Silva was her anchor and as her first companion would always have a special place in her heart. Honestly the girl was surprised he had decided to bond with her and stay. Without the cold wind of Zena it had been a bit rougher on the beast who was used to the cold against his fur rather than the hot or humid air of Jahaur. Oba, especially, had been rough on the pads of his paws and Talisia had spent hours doctoring them and wrapping them in bandages after he had been forced to walk on the hot sands.
Living there for a few months thankfully had gotten his paws rough enough so that he was used to most terrain. He definitely wasn’t the small pup that she had helped heal a long time ago. Talisia smiled at the thought before a quiet purr caught her attention, “Zari?” The hybrid reached down into a satchel that hanged at her side so that she could pet at the perzi who was nestled in there, “You never want to walk, do you?” She teased lightly. Though honestly if the perzi even attempted to walk in some of the areas they moved through Talisia would be fearful of losing her in the tall grasses and trees. She was just too tiny…
So much for a trip without worry over others. She quipped lightly with a small laugh. Even if it wasn’t Zyphire, Eresin, Kian or even Nerio bothering her the girl was already taking care of these three creatures. When had she become such a motherly figure? No one at the camp even questioned why Talisia was the first to come to the aid of an injured mage2 Or why she was the one often chasing them down to force a meal on them? Once she had heard that both Kian and Eresin didn’t eat for almost three days straight because of their studies the girl had made certain to smack some sense into them…and then after fed them a rather large meal. No wonder those boys are so slender. Too much reading and fighting without enough enjoying life. Well, at least on Eresin’s part – Kian seemed always eager to go out and enjoy the night life.
He may have not realized, but she had noticed his roaming. At least lately it had tampered down and the one time she had even followed him just resulted in spotting him drinking at a tavern with one, no two, or was it three or four girls? Talisia groaned. I’m related to that big of a flirt? No wonder she didn’t have it in her to do romance as her twin had it covered enough times for the both of them to have various affairs. Talisia was at least thankful that she didn’t look identical to him – else she’d been in for a world of trouble every time she went out. Honestly she was surprised that he was still alive after such shenanigans. In a sense I suppose it’s better he’s a mage rather than a bard. They wouldn’t have to worry about not having family with the way he would move around with his music seducing earthlings left and right. Talisia flushed as she shook her head at the thoughts. No thank you!
Even if she was like a mother figure to the group it didn’t mean she wanted to become the mother. The thought of younglings sent a shiver down her spine. How could someone take care of something so small out here like this? They had no established home, no set place for them, and no idea where the future would hold them. Callum and Nimueh had at least found a plan for their little ones. Talisia sighed. If only she could have gone with them to Zena and helped. I’m sure they’re fine. Despite his passion for trouble Callum still had a good heart and Talisia was certain that Nimueh would keep a firm hand on him. She just hoped that her teasing about the babies burning their home down wasn’t going to become a reality. Though in a twisted way it was a bit amusing to imagine how Callum would run about after the children.
As the path veered, Talisia blinked in surprise to find that she had already cut through most of her intended walk. “Oh.” So much for going away without worrying about others for the day. Flushing the hybrid brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, “I’m not good at this, am I?” For someone who had been alone for so long she suddenly had a slew of people in her heart to worry over. Kian, Eresin, Dris, Callum, and even others like Nimueh and Nerio held sway over her heart. The last thing she ever wanted was for something bad to befall them. Just the thought made her tighten her hold on her bag strap. What if something did happen?
“I suppose it’s been peaceful for too long now.” She should be more wary because every time she became lulled by peace her life always got turned around. Something was certainly around the corner just waiting to surprise her. It was a scary thought one that made her gaze narrow in frustration. Couldn’t she just have a peaceful life now? She’d been through so much and finally Kian was back in her life as well, “I refuse.” Talisia glanced up towards the skies, “I don’t care if it seems too easy I’m fine living like this.”
She just prayed the gods would accept her request. She was happy living with the boys and watching them grow as both comrades and friends. Even if she still didn’t understand her own feelings towards a certain ice mage at least she could enjoy how a peaceful life allowed such confusing thoughts to arise. If they had been in wartime it would have been too chaotic to think about…feelings. The thought made her flush before she shook her head and continued on the path. No more of that Talisia! We’ve got to move on and not worry so much. Everything was going to be alright – it had to be!
Still, even as she shook her doubts about the future the clouds did seem to hide the sun – if only for a brief moment.
(1518 – 5 pnts)
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:05 pm
Losing Light
They were fading – everyone near and dear to her were falling away. Once more the hybrid was suffering from heartbreak of loss. Hadn’t this already happened once enough? Her mother had captured her poor shifter father and kept him chained up in a land not meant for his spirit. With his death had come the first heartbreak and then her own exile had lost her the other half of her soul – her twin. Then separating from her best friend and then even her sister in Oba had been yet another farewell that Talisia wasn’t prepared for. Yet, by then she had become numb to the world. What was another loss considering all that she had already suffered?
But the next thing she knew she had reunited with her dear twin and had also found a new friend in another Zenan boy – both who ironically enough had been mages. The thought was enough to baffle the girl. How was she supposed to deal with that? Her mother had been a mage, twisted and corrupted by greed, so how could she deal with these two using magic so freely? Yet, they both had managed to show her another world. Even though Kian was still a bit of a trickster and had some darkness to unload upon Talisia he still persisted in teaching her that magic was not always a bad thing. Eresin, as well, also showered her in the wonders of magic and how to use it for better aims.
Eresin…
The thought made her chest clench. The boy had tried his hardest to woo her and had even sacrificed so much to be there for her but she still had rejected him. And now here she was staring over the forests of Jahaur one last time without knowing where either her twin or her dearest friend was. I had changed my mind….I had told him to stay, that I wanted to be with him. One single tear dripped down her cheek as the rains started to slowly fall. She had finally received and returned his affections only to find that he wanted to go away. Nerio’s death had changed everything for the mage and without the older sorcerer to keep them together their paths had once more fallen apart.
It broke her heart to think about how Eresin had rejected her in the end That morning she had woken up determined to try and talk to him – after all both he and Kian had been at odds since coming back that night with the terrible news. But when she had gone the expression he held was still closed off and silent. No more did she see the goofy expression on his face or the happy grin he had whenever she was with him. Truly it was enough to show her exactly how deeply his spirit had been broken with the loss of his uncle. And instead of finding a friend in need, Talisia had just encountered a wall of ice.
“I had just wanted to comfort him.” She whispered before forcing herself to turn away. Yet, it wasn’t like they were going to stay in Jahaur forever. It was time to move on and to finally make their place in the world. So for now Talisia was looking towards her homeland where hopefully some healing – for both herself and the young shifter who trailed behind – could occur. She would go to Zena and hopefully find her place there. It may not fix everything, but she had avoided this confrontation of her past long enough. She needed to go home and find out the answers to who she was and what had happened to that place in which she had been raised. Would she still find familiarity in Zena? Or would she once more feel like a stranger in a foreign land? Either way she was determined to see this through. It was time to stop running and to finally head back to that place which she once called home.
No more would she hide away behind those who she had failed.
And hopefully in the future she would once more meet Eresin and then from there the two of them could see exactly how their paths could connect again. If he doesn’t forget me… She thought with a frown. What if he did? What if finding himself meant that he no longer wanted anything to do with the twin of the one who had helped his uncle to die? Would he ever smile at her again? Or offer her comfort ever? Would he even ever allow her close to him once more? The thought was terrifying to Talisia. She had just learned to give her heart to this man and he had decided to leave instead. Perhaps….it hadn’t meant as much to him as their feelings now meant to her? What if I was too late to react to him? Then she was the fool for finding love just as soon as it slipped through her fingers.
Sighing, the girl tried to shake off the tears. This is okay. I’ll be fine. But a light flush decorated her cheeks before she forced a whistle out of her lips so that she could call to her raptrix, “Come on, Silva. Let’s get out of here.” She could think about such things later…once her emotions had calmed down and she could think with a clear head…
(903 - 3 pnts)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:22 pm
Last Thoughts
Talisia surveyed the landscape before her. The heavy air from the rainforests mellowed out into more of a crisp breeze as she stood in the crystal grasses of Tale. Had it truly been over a year since she had left Jahaur? I truly did get lulled by the peaceful times. She mused quietly with a slight frown. If only she had stayed on her toes, would that have changed anything? Talisia tilted her head backwards as she allowed the breeze to blow strands of her hair away from her face. Would she have been strong enough? If even Kian and Eresin had faltered then what right did she have in believing that she could have changed anything?
Still, she just wished that she could have helped.
It was frustration to know that she had worked so hard to get stronger, but in the end things had once more forced events to move that no one had wished for. The fates must have been laughing at her to toss her into the wind of change so much. Talisia was reminded of how the villagers had watched her and Kian as children and how they had spread those damned rumors…
”Their eyes are signs, you know?”
“Of what?” A young woman leaned closely into the other girl with a curious expression, “Of their heritage you mean?”
“More than that. They’ve got split souls because they were dragged from the fates. Their father you see wasn’t supposed to be here – he’s a stranger who doesn’t belong, but the lady claimed him. She fought the fates for him and their union caused these spirits that don’t belong in either land to be pulled into a physical form. The different eyes are proof of that. They were supposed to be fully Zenan or the Foreigner, but because of her powers the lady made this happen instead. So their spirits crossed over to be forever torn in half and I’m sure that the fates will claim them again soon.”
A slight gasp, “So you are saying they aren’t meant for this world long?”
“I’m sure they won’t be. Granny says that if they keep living they’ll only bring misfortune because their existence betrays the laws of life.”
“Oh. Well I pity them.”
“I wouldn’t – they aren’t human like us.”
Was that woman speaking the truth after all these years? Talisia rubbed a hand across her forehead. Maybe both she and Kian were just two messed up halves of a whole. It would explain why she looked so much more like a Zenan while he obviously claimed shifter heritage. But their eyes…their eyes marked them as split entities. She held onto her Zenan gold while he was her shifter silver. The thought brought a sad smile to her lips. Once she had been happy to think about such things and would even run around as a child with an eye closed teasingly so that her brother couldn’t see everything. Then when she was lonely and away from him for hours the girl would make certain to stare intently at everything with her silver eye, “Look Ciaran can you see this?” She would ask the empty room while staring at some puzzle or book.
Obviously she never got a reply, but it was a fun thought while it lasted. Even now Talisia was tempted to survey the area and ask if Kian could see these things as well. Can you see this brother? Oh she wished that he had come with her – but the stubborn fool had stated that he needed to find himself once more and that there was someone he needed to find again. Someone who obviously meant a lot to him. Sighing, Talisia shook her head. There was a lot her own brother had hidden from her and she just prayed that one day things would come into the open and that they would be reunited again.
Just as she prayed to find another one.
But first she needed to finish going to Zena. She would do this and start over again…if the boys came back into her life later then she would be waiting for them with a fire burning in her hearth. After all even if they were fools as she had said before – at least they were her fools.
(718 – 2 pnts)
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:02 pm
Finding Home
( Right before this class quest a tragedy has separated Talisia from her twin and best friend. While they each are dealing with the death in their own way, Talisia is trying to figure out who she truly is. She had spent so much time just trying to survive and then the rest finding her family that she never really thought about what she should do with the rest of her life. As her time in Jahaur was ending Talisia realized there was one place that she should visit - Zena, her birth place. It would be there that she makes the big decision to face the land of her haunted past and to actually settle in the same mountains where she had grown up.
The biggest choice out of all of this is that since helping to rescue a girl's familiar, Talisia remembered her own interests as a child in helping familiars. Because of this she has set her life goal to create an animal sanctuary and to serve as a healer for any beasts who may need her. It had been a childhood dream to be able to tame and heal beasts, but now Talisia is finally realizing that such dreams can truly become a reality even after all this time...)
Zena.
It had been years since the hybrid had last stared across those snowy mountaintops. Just seeing the snow and ice gleaming in the slivers of sunlight made her chest tighten. She had so many memories here and had lost so much at the same time – it was amazing just being able to stand here. I never thought I would ever be able to return. The fear of her mother had just been so much, but despite arguing with Kian over things it was a relief knowing that the woman was gone. Her memories may linger, but at least her touch was no longer able to reach Talisia. That was a great weight off of the hybrid’s chest.
“Silva, we’re back.” Talisia’s fingers twisted in the thick fur of the raptrix, “Is it just as strange to you?”
Steel-gray eyes met her own bi-colored gaze before the raptrix slowly moved forward. Surely it was strange for him as well. Not only was he seeing snow and feeling the cold again for the first time in a long time, but the raptrix was also in a land where his own kind roamed. The thought brought a knot of worry to Talisia – would he decide to go wild here? He had always been more independent than her other familiars, but at the same time he was her support. Could she even function without him?
As if to toss the thought away Silva bounded through the snows before turning back to loop back towards Talisia with a yip, “What are you a puppy again?” Laughed Talisia as she reached out to once more rub the raptrix’s forehead, “I suppose I would be happier too…” If it just didn’t make her feel so strange. That and she was still torn up about Eresin’s disappearance. Kian, she knew would come around in time – he was her twin after all – but would she ever see the other mage again?
I hope so.
The thought didn’t surprise her anymore. After accepting her feelings, the hybrid had gone along with things. She had been the one to wave Eresin and Kian both off as they went their separate paths and she also had been the one to clean up the remnants of their camp in Jahaur. There would be no more waking up to the sounds of bickering or of mages clashing in battle. It was a thought which made a sigh escape her lips. She truly had gotten comfortable with that life….and with Eresin in particular. It was another thought to
So now what? She was back in Zena, but her heart just didn’t seem to be in it. The snow mountains touched her, but the ice did no service to the pain in her own chest. “Can’t you send me a sign or something?” Protested Talisia towards the cloudy skies, “Am I even supposed to be back here?”
“Akeil, Akeil!” A young girl was crying as she ran through the snows, “Someone, help!”
Talisia barely froze for a second before rushing towards the young earthling, “What’s wrong?”
“My…my…my friend…he’s hurt.” The girl looked up to the hybrid with large watery eyes, “Can’t you help him?”
“Show me the way.” Taking the girl’s hand, Talisia looped through the snows until they came upon a cliff’s edge where a fallen tree marked an area that had crumbled away, “What happened?”
“He-he pushed me out of the way! The ground it shook and then the path just fell away and he got hurt by the tree…” The girl wailed, “Please, help him. I’m afraid his wings got pinned and he can’t fly…”
“Fly?” Blinking, Talisia leaned over the ledge to look down. Below the ledge was the dark form of a russet raptrix who had a wing twisted under another fallen tree and some rocks. When she listened she heard the faintest sound of a whine. Oh, the poor boy! Decision made, Talisia glanced over at her own raptrix. “Silva, stay.” She nodded towards the little girl, “I’ll be right back after helping your friend up, okay? So stay here…”
“Yes, m’am.”
Sitting down, Talisia stretched out a leg before sliding down. It hurt her calves to go against the cold rock, but the girl was determined. Any time a creature was in danger she would be on top of trying to rescue it! A few moments later the beast tamer had her hands supporting the raptrix’s head, “Ssh. I’ll help you out, okay?” With a whistle she called for Silva and with her own raptrix’s help the girl managed to push the tree the rest of the way off of the cliff. Thankfully the raptrix itself was still young so it wasn’t as huge as her own, “Can you fly with her?” Questioned Talisia before helping to push the pup onto Silva’s back. Making certain it was secured enough with rope and positioning, Talisia watched as her familiar flew up and towards the path.
Good. Now the question was could she get back up on her own?
“Miss? Are you okay down there?”
“Yes!” Talisia’s gaze snapped up towards the small child, “Just back away, okay?”
Gritting her teeth, Talisia dug her hands into the cold rocks and started to walk her way slowly back up the cliff. This wasn’t so different from climbing a tree in Jahuar, right? The thought almost made her laugh if it weren’t for the fact that she was so afraid of falling. After what seemed to be an eternity later Talisia did finally manage to throw herself back on the solid ground. Thank goodness. But she didn’t have enough time to breathe – the poor raptrix needed her attention.
Gathering her satchels that she had left on the ground, the hybrid dug through until she found some herbs and bandages. “Let’s see if we can make a splint for his leg as well…” Her forehead creasing in concentration the woman began to help set the bad leg and also used herbs to help ease the pain of the pup who was whimpering. She also got wood to make a sled for her own raptrix to pull the pup along with her, “ Can you tell me your way home, sweetie?” She asked – actually surprising herself. Why was it that she felt more relaxed with a young Zenan girl out of all things? Talisia shook her head before moving on after the girl’s request.
“Wait…you said here?” Those hills looked familiar enough and so did that grove of trees. This was her old home! “Are you certain?” Her heart was aching in her chest as the floodgate of traumatic memories -along with some good inside of the bad- began to open. She had played in this forest as a child while her brother and father watched over her. Her mother had watched in silence from the top rooms of the estate….it all sent a shiver down her spine.
“I’m certain…” The ice girl frowned as she glanced back towards Talisia, “Miss are you alright?”
“Ye-yes. Isn’t this a house for someone though?”
“Ah, yes! My momma used to work here, but the master came back a few years ago and told us that we could feel free to use the home.”
“The master?”
“Ciaran. He used to live here according to my momma with a lady and he had a twin sister as well…they had strange eyes you know…” The girl trailed off before peering upwards towards Talisia, “OH! Do you know him? You have strange eyes too!”
“Ah, yes. I’m actually…” Talisia found herself trailing off before she shook her head, “Nevermind. I’m just passing through so let’s get you home.”
“Aww, it’s a shame.” The youngling pouted, “You’d make a good healer and I’d like to know that my Akeil is growing well.”
“Healer?” Talisia only shook her head once more as she ushered the girl home – through her old home. It definitely was different to see a family of five with warm hearts at the door. She even had a dinner with them -along with all her familiars- as the mother of the child continued to apologize for the mess of the manor. Talisia had only shushed her before smiling. It was no big deal – she would much rather see the estate warm and alive than cold and decorated.
But there was one thing that today stirred within her – a memory of a dream almost long forgotten. Talisia smiled as she walked the grounds after dinner towards an old shelter that had been severely damaged by wind and snow. Still, the memories were fresh of her as a girl doctoring up wild creatures as they came through – Silva, included. Also, hadn’t she doctored her little perzi after it had been hurt as well? Then today with the raptrix pup…
Perhaps then she could find a use for herself in Zena. A way to find out who she was without relying on the comfort of others. No more would she mope about the lover who had left and no more would she spend her existence trying to find others. It was time to settle and to do something that she wanted to do – heal others. Not earthlings, but creatures who would need the help. Talisia’s gaze lit up as the ideas continued to roll about in her mind. “I suppose coming home is truly what I did.” She came home to her memories and to the hopes she once had as a little girl. And even if it wasn’t here she would still find a place in Zena to settle down and create a sanctuary of sorts where she could raise familiars and also help heal those in need.
Maybe if she was lucky those that she had separated from would come back into her life, but until then she was going to live her own life and experience things for herself. It seemed that Zena, after all, was always and forever her true home…
