Stage 2 - Solo 3
A Letter From Matori
The sands of Matori were softer and far less harsh than the sandy terrain of Oba. Despite having lived on an island surrounded by waters the boy had to admit that this was far different from the rocky coasts he had known. Matori was teeming with life here and there and he had to appreciate the waterfalls that cascaded down their cliffs. It would be beautiful if not for being infested by mainlanders – though the Matori he could respect faintly. Hadn’t they after all been through their own torments by the rest of the mainland? Those Obans had truly inflicted harm into the land the races here alongside those extremists that now invaded his own homelands.
“I wonder if she got my letter, Aia?” Kieran mused out loud as he watched the crashing waves hitting the Matori shore. The question did stir some worry up in his gut, however, as he had to wonder about how she was to react to it. “I suppose another letter wouldn’t harm things.” It had only been a couple of weeks since the last had been sent, but Kieran decided that a follow up would be fine.
Dear Taijana,
I’m in Matori now next to the ocean. When I glance over the waves I have to wonder if I can see our shores since it’s so close to our home. Yet, I decided to stay for a few more moons just to explore this area. A few creatures here have caught my interest and I’m trying to see if there is a certain way to go about finding out more concerning them.
You would like Matori I believe. It’s a busy place full of trade, but out here away from the villages and towns the ocean is quite lovely. Rather than sitting on hard rocks you can walk through soft sands of white and find shells of rainbow here. Waterfalls also cascade down the cliffs and truly make a remarkable impression. The caverns here are fascinating as well – not like the one I showed you, but still beautiful in their own way.
I apologize if my last letter did upset you. I meant no harm, but wanted to be honest about the things I have been finding out here. So this one should be nicer and I have even attached a sketch of the area I’m currently sitting in. I am fine and well especially now that I’m away from the desert heat and I pray that you are the same.
Best,
Kieran.
He actually placed a few shells in the heavy bottle that he used for the letter before giving it over to another outgoing ship. “Would it be better if I just went home to show her I was okay other than these letters?” He questioned before shaking his head. No, going home would only waste more time and he wanted to explore as much as possible before the weather turned. Perhaps then when the cold came through he would go back to Yael and stay hidden in his home for a moon or two. That sounded nice because then he could rest up and continue to fill out his journals and catch up on all the things he had acquired while on the Mainland.
“Alright then we’re exploring more of this shore today.” That decided Kieran hopped up from his perch along the rocks and started to walk again. Out here the male even walked without a hood up and could actually enjoy the feeling of the sun against his bare skin – skin that since leaving Yael had grown slightly darker while his gaze had dimmed just in the slightest. Returning home had seemingly helped during the festivals, but now the male had to wonder what would become of him if he stayed out here for more than a year on end. Would he completely lose that gleam? It definitely would be easier to navigate the mainlanders, but at the same time he would be considered a stranger in Yael for it. Was it worth losing his glow to be on the mainland for so long?
Not that it affected his vision – he was already almost blind without his glasses. Still, Kieran had to wonder what changes could happen if a Yaeli did happen to become crazy enough to raise a family away from their homeland and rather came out here to live. He thought of the woman he had met during the tournament and shook his head. Now she was a very unique case. He was impressed needless to say by her dedication and her strength that allowed her to rise above the many challenges that surely had daunted her since coming here. Now that would be a story he would love to learn…why come here out of all places?
“Though I think the longer I stay here the more I realize…how different this life can be.” Mused Kieran as he ran a hand alongside a tree. It truly was beautiful out here and he had heard that the other lands farther inland were even more beautiful. I would like to visit that Jauhar place next. Yet, he hadn’t found the time or the courage to venture further than Oba. Or more of the fact that he had just gotten lazy staying in the lands that allowed him quick access to the ocean and to…Yael. Strange how that worked…
Was it like he was waiting for someone?
Kieran shook his head. There wasn’t going to be anyone coming after him anytime soon – his mother had passed and his only friend would pass out by just touching a boat towards the mainland. “I suppose then Aia that means we’ll be leaving in a few days to head into the jungles ourselves. I hope you’re ready.” The Keldari slithered around his neck and hissed as if in anticipation. Honestly, he wondered if she had more of a sense of adventure than he even did at times. She definitely seemed excited by the idea of travel after all. He had never known a keldari so determined to stick with someone before, but Aia definitely knew how to stick – even when he first tried chasing her off in Yael she had persisted in following him.
Chuckling at the thought Kieran reached into his bag once more and settled on a fallen log to begin taking notes. A few final notes before he left Matori wouldn’t hurt after all. But what should he sketch? More of those Bushi or some of those fish he had spotted before? Then again he could also draw some of the Matori he had watched playing on the beach earlier as well. Honestly, there were quite a few options. I suppose I could do a bit of everything. He wanted to savor the memory of these lands after all. As he dipped his quill into the ink Kieran began to make his rough commentary and sketches while behind him in the brush movement occurred.
A soft silver gaze was watching him full of curiosity about the strange scented stranger sitting in its area. Only a soft hiss from Aia kept the creature away as it moved around the two with only its long lizard tail swaying behind it as any warning of the large snaptrotter that continued to follow after the strange Yaeli…
(1223 - 4 pnts)
A Letter From Matori
The sands of Matori were softer and far less harsh than the sandy terrain of Oba. Despite having lived on an island surrounded by waters the boy had to admit that this was far different from the rocky coasts he had known. Matori was teeming with life here and there and he had to appreciate the waterfalls that cascaded down their cliffs. It would be beautiful if not for being infested by mainlanders – though the Matori he could respect faintly. Hadn’t they after all been through their own torments by the rest of the mainland? Those Obans had truly inflicted harm into the land the races here alongside those extremists that now invaded his own homelands.
“I wonder if she got my letter, Aia?” Kieran mused out loud as he watched the crashing waves hitting the Matori shore. The question did stir some worry up in his gut, however, as he had to wonder about how she was to react to it. “I suppose another letter wouldn’t harm things.” It had only been a couple of weeks since the last had been sent, but Kieran decided that a follow up would be fine.
Dear Taijana,
I’m in Matori now next to the ocean. When I glance over the waves I have to wonder if I can see our shores since it’s so close to our home. Yet, I decided to stay for a few more moons just to explore this area. A few creatures here have caught my interest and I’m trying to see if there is a certain way to go about finding out more concerning them.
You would like Matori I believe. It’s a busy place full of trade, but out here away from the villages and towns the ocean is quite lovely. Rather than sitting on hard rocks you can walk through soft sands of white and find shells of rainbow here. Waterfalls also cascade down the cliffs and truly make a remarkable impression. The caverns here are fascinating as well – not like the one I showed you, but still beautiful in their own way.
I apologize if my last letter did upset you. I meant no harm, but wanted to be honest about the things I have been finding out here. So this one should be nicer and I have even attached a sketch of the area I’m currently sitting in. I am fine and well especially now that I’m away from the desert heat and I pray that you are the same.
Best,
Kieran.
He actually placed a few shells in the heavy bottle that he used for the letter before giving it over to another outgoing ship. “Would it be better if I just went home to show her I was okay other than these letters?” He questioned before shaking his head. No, going home would only waste more time and he wanted to explore as much as possible before the weather turned. Perhaps then when the cold came through he would go back to Yael and stay hidden in his home for a moon or two. That sounded nice because then he could rest up and continue to fill out his journals and catch up on all the things he had acquired while on the Mainland.
“Alright then we’re exploring more of this shore today.” That decided Kieran hopped up from his perch along the rocks and started to walk again. Out here the male even walked without a hood up and could actually enjoy the feeling of the sun against his bare skin – skin that since leaving Yael had grown slightly darker while his gaze had dimmed just in the slightest. Returning home had seemingly helped during the festivals, but now the male had to wonder what would become of him if he stayed out here for more than a year on end. Would he completely lose that gleam? It definitely would be easier to navigate the mainlanders, but at the same time he would be considered a stranger in Yael for it. Was it worth losing his glow to be on the mainland for so long?
Not that it affected his vision – he was already almost blind without his glasses. Still, Kieran had to wonder what changes could happen if a Yaeli did happen to become crazy enough to raise a family away from their homeland and rather came out here to live. He thought of the woman he had met during the tournament and shook his head. Now she was a very unique case. He was impressed needless to say by her dedication and her strength that allowed her to rise above the many challenges that surely had daunted her since coming here. Now that would be a story he would love to learn…why come here out of all places?
“Though I think the longer I stay here the more I realize…how different this life can be.” Mused Kieran as he ran a hand alongside a tree. It truly was beautiful out here and he had heard that the other lands farther inland were even more beautiful. I would like to visit that Jauhar place next. Yet, he hadn’t found the time or the courage to venture further than Oba. Or more of the fact that he had just gotten lazy staying in the lands that allowed him quick access to the ocean and to…Yael. Strange how that worked…
Was it like he was waiting for someone?
Kieran shook his head. There wasn’t going to be anyone coming after him anytime soon – his mother had passed and his only friend would pass out by just touching a boat towards the mainland. “I suppose then Aia that means we’ll be leaving in a few days to head into the jungles ourselves. I hope you’re ready.” The Keldari slithered around his neck and hissed as if in anticipation. Honestly, he wondered if she had more of a sense of adventure than he even did at times. She definitely seemed excited by the idea of travel after all. He had never known a keldari so determined to stick with someone before, but Aia definitely knew how to stick – even when he first tried chasing her off in Yael she had persisted in following him.
Chuckling at the thought Kieran reached into his bag once more and settled on a fallen log to begin taking notes. A few final notes before he left Matori wouldn’t hurt after all. But what should he sketch? More of those Bushi or some of those fish he had spotted before? Then again he could also draw some of the Matori he had watched playing on the beach earlier as well. Honestly, there were quite a few options. I suppose I could do a bit of everything. He wanted to savor the memory of these lands after all. As he dipped his quill into the ink Kieran began to make his rough commentary and sketches while behind him in the brush movement occurred.
A soft silver gaze was watching him full of curiosity about the strange scented stranger sitting in its area. Only a soft hiss from Aia kept the creature away as it moved around the two with only its long lizard tail swaying behind it as any warning of the large snaptrotter that continued to follow after the strange Yaeli…
(1223 - 4 pnts)
