Welcome to Gaia! ::

Issaly sat at the small table that he was using to spread out a few herbs. He had mostly everything packed in the small room he was staying in. The healer’s hut he had taken shelter in was a friend of his mentor’s back in Jauhar. He leaned back as he looked down at the parchment in front of him. He needed to do this, he had to do this….could he do this? He shook his head. No! He could. He was doing this!!! He started to write. Hoping that Aysun would be able to understand this...

Dear Aysun,

I'm going to try to keep this as short as possible. I'm no longer going to be in Tale, as I feel as if I'm not someone who can stand on their own just yet. There's too much I have to do still...there's someone in Oba who has a poor view of me. This is something I have to change. I have to prove to them I'm not what they say I am...even if that means I return harmed. I have to find at least one other sibling before I settle and set up a haven for them as well as myself. I want you, and only you to know that I'm leaving Tale. If another Shifter with my name on their lips comes to find me. Tell them nothing. They don't wish to correct a mistake they made, so I'm going to correct it for them.

He stopped. Was that the right words to use. No taking that all back. He knew Isaris would come back for him. His elder was stubborn like that. All Issaly wanted was to make amends and settle things. If Isaris was fine with a bad impression that was Isaris, Issaly couldn’t stand it. After all Saraf’s mother and Saraf did for them...he might of been a youngling, but still. He took a deep breath.

-I feel as if-

He scratched that out. What was he thinking…’I feel as if I’m going to never come back.’ was that seriously what he was about to write. No!!! Absolutely not! He wasn’t a weak child that needed to be dragged back to be tied to the apron. He was a growing adult!!! He put the quill back to the parchment.

-I know that-

He scratched out yet another line. What was he thinking!?! ‘I know that to you I’m still a child.’ WELL DUH!!!! Issaly was a child by many elder’s standards!!! He leaned back breathing slowly through his nose. Next to him Therus blinked before reaching out to pat the youth’s arm. Issaly looked back to the sprite then leaned forward to keep writing. He had to get it out...

There's something I need to say. Its simple. Its truth. Its really hard to say to you in person because I'm scared you'd take it as a childish thing.

I love you.

He froze. Okay...he said it. His quill stopped causing a small blot as if he was about to scratch that out. It would of been fear that caused it. His hand shook a little before he withdrew it. Standing the youth set the quill down before standing to pace. He did it. He finally did it...he looked back to the parchment as Therus tapped the table. They had to move soon. He sat back down to finish.

There...you know. There's a something my teacher used to always say in Jauhar. “Your home is where your feet always take you. It's not the place you set up. It's where your heart guides your feet.”

To me. You're home. I always find myself walking to where I typically and surprisingly find you. Call me a child. Call me whatever you want...I just wanted you to know. I'm not running from you. I'm going to come back...I'm going to grow. Hopefully into someone that can stand at your side. If you'll let me. I feel strongly that you are my Home.

Always yours,
Issaly

He left it at that. Standing he nodded. Walking out to where he knew Abysio was. He stroked the Janarim’s snout. “Take this to Maw...have him give it to Aysun then meet us at the border. Like we planned...okay? Say goodbye to Maw if you want.” he smiled as Abysio touched their foreheads. “I...I don’t have it in me to say goodbye. I’d lose the nerve to go if I saw him…”

He sent Abysio off then after a moment. Silently left through the woods. Saalin easily bearing his weight and the light packs Issaly took. He left most of his heavier belongings with the Healer. Every intention of returning for them with another pack beast. He looked back only once...then with a determined nod he urged his pack out of Tale. Towards Oba. Towards his past that he barely remembered and feared facing...