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 Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:03 pm
~Table of Contents~
Page Seven
I. Table of Contents
II. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"O Solstice Tree"~ ~A Solo RP~
III. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Light on the Darkest Day"~ ~A Solo RP~
IV. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Magic Comes From the Heart"~ ~A Solo RP~
V. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Circles"~ ~A Solo RP~
VI. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"A Shadow Walking in the Sun"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
VII. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"The Crow and the Butterfly"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
VIII. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"Getting to Know You!"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
IX. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"Pester Pester Flight"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
X. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"The Land of the Rising Sun"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
XI. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"Wild Stallions~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
XII. ~Reflections of the Past~ ~"Catch That Hastar!"~ ~An RP Journal Reflection~
XIII. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"More Fun With Hastars"~ ~A Solo RP~
XIV. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"Dont Stop Till You Drop!"~ ~A Solo RP~
XV. ~An Avani Adventure!~ ~"So, A Hastar Runs Into the Woods..."~ ~A Solo RP~
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:03 pm
~An Avani Adventure!~
~O Solstice Tree~
~A Solo RP~ Winter had to be one of Avani’s favorite times of the year.
Well, to be honest she liked all the seasons. But winter had to be the best.
As she tucked Honoka in a special coat she and her mother had made, Avani thought about the fun she still had going out and picking a Solstice Tree for the ranch. The large tree would be chopped down and magically moved to the farm with levitation spells. Then the ranch hands and friends would decorate the tree, some casting colorful blinking orbs of light to rest on branches among the decorations. Then papa would lift the youngest child present up to the tree top to place Seren’s star of light on the top of the tree to shine her blessings on the workers and prosperity of the ranch.
It was an Autumntree tradition from way back near the founding of the family, and through the years back where she used to live, she could see all the descendants of the family light their trees for the Solstice celebration that took place in the middle of the dark month. Even families that had no Autumntree connection save for a little acquaintance would light trees to celebrate the light of the life giving goddess and ask for a prosperous harvest the next year.
Avani secured a thick warm hat to Honoka, tying it under her chin. The whole ordeal of getting her ready to go out in the snow was a challenge itself. The little Khehora seemed as excited as Avani felt, but lacked the control to sit still for one moment. But, then again she had always had that problem. After putting Honoka’s special little booties for the snow, she put her own jacket on, allowing Nix to snuggle inside the garment to keep warm while they were out. Avani giggled as she blew out the lamp next to the door, plunging the room into darkness. Nix’s wriggling to get comfortable was making her laugh, and she placed a calming hand on the fea’s head as it popped its head out of the opening chattering away happily. Ushering out a giddy Honoka, Avani locked the door to the dark house, and mounted her hastar that was waiting. He grunted as she moved him on, not wanting to leave the warm stable, but reluctantly did so through the forest as his mistress had bid him.
Avani happily moved through the forest, Honoka moving along beside her.
Avani arrived at her parent’s house without too many detours. She had to stop a few times when Honoka got distracted by the snow, jumping into the snowbanks and getting stuck. Avani didn’t mind, her parents would understand.
Avani rapped on the door after tying up her hastar in the barn. Honoka thumped her tail against the door too. Avani had to smile at her little khehora trying to help.
Her father opened the door smiling, but then grimaced as Honoka didn’t realize the door was opened and had hit him inadvertently.
“Honoka!” Avani said laughing. She bent down and rubbed the horns protruding from the holes meant for them in the hat, “You need to be more aware.”
Honoka seemed to blush, but then smiled brightly. Avani smiled back. It wasn’t really a rebuke, it was Solstice time after all.
Honoka darted inside as Avani stepped in. Nix jumped from her jacket and both Khehora and fea raced to the kitchen for whatever sweets her mother was about to give them. She usually cooked up sweets for the people after the journey, so Avani had no doubt she would have something now for her two “grandchildren”.
“We’ll be leaving soon after the kids get their treats.” Her father said. Avani looked at him and saw that he was smiling at her warmly.
“It’s Solstice time.” Avani said shrugging offering the defense of letting her children have sweets before it was time. She smiled and said, “Don’t tell me your parents didn’t let you have sweets before you left when you were young.”
Her father laughed and as they awaited the return of Honoka and Nix, talked about where they would go for this year’s tree. They would go up into the forests using the path that the shepherdesses used to take the leklan to the mountain lake.
After the sweets were eaten, Avani scooped up Nix and put her back into her jacket, once again giggling as the fea wiggled to get comfortable. Avani ushered Hounoka out of the house, following her out to the barn. Avani’s father followed, her mother staying home and waiting for the tree to come home.
Avani led her hastar out of the barn and mounted him in the yard. She then followed her father as he led her to the group of farmhands that waited for them where the fields started. They would all go as a group to select the tree the farm would use for the solstice.
It usually didn’t take long to find a tree for the farm. However it was being rather elusive this year. The group had ridden farther than they had decided to this year, and Avani grew worried they wouldn’t find the right tree. They had to find just the right spot, since her father always planted two trees for every one he cut down for solstice.
Avani had hung back from the group letting Honoka run along with Avani’s father. The men of the group didn’t seem to mind Honoka much anymore, probably since they were getting used to her. Sometimes, on nights like this, she liked to look up through the trees and look at the stars. They seemed so close, but were so far. She looked back down and saw the group stopped at a tree, so she went and joined them to look at it.
“It would be perfect, but some branches are brown.” Said one man.
“Too bad. It’s a grand old tree.” Said another.
Avani looked at the tree they were studying. It was just right! But some of the branches were brown and it looked droopy.
It really would have been perfect…
“Wait!” Avani said, “Let me see!”
She jumped off her hastar and moved quickly up to the trunk of the tree. Nix jumped from her jacket just as she reached the tree’s big trunk. Avani looked up and saw some of the blight on the tree, but it was still healthy enough…
Avani knelt and touched the damp earth at the base of the tree that had been sheltered from the snow. She pictured the tree in her mind and breathed deeply as she readied her magic. She then whispered the spell words that would help the tree regain its former beauty.
“Prelii Shelarthan”
She closed her eyes and let her magic flow through her to the land. She felt the land sluggishly respond, she assumed from it being winter, and allowed her magic to help heal the large tree, and help parts of it grow. She helped guide the nourishing magic to where it would be most needed in the large tree.
She felt the magic grow within her to the point where she had been practicing, and yet, the tree demanded more. The amount of magic was not enough to reach the highest part of the tree. She breathed in deeply and pulled on her all her strength to pull all the magic she needed to heal the whole tree.
She pulled from the ground what nutrients she needed and pushed her magic farther than she had before. It was hard, but she kept her concentration on the task at hand. She felt the hurt in the tree and helped send magic this way and that, repairing and feeding, she helped the tree regain its former health.
As soon as she felt the tree was healed, she let go of the flow of magic slowly till it was cut off. She fell back tired and feeling weak. She looked up as she felt someone grab her. She saw her father’s blue eyes and smiled.
“It’s all healed.” She said, and then fell asleep.
Avani awoke sometime later. She blinked a bit seeing the celling of her bedroom and not the starry sky.
She sat up, rather too quickly, then laid down again as she felt dizzy. What had happened? Oh yes, the tree. It was healed and ready for her father’s men to cut down. But how had she gotten into her room? How did she get back to her house for that matter?
The door to her room opened and she turned. Her mother was there, and when she looked at Avani, she smiled. She had a try with a bowl and cup on it, and after she shut the door, she moved over to Avani’s side and sat in a chair that had been pulled close to her bed.
“Oh good, you’re up.” She helped Avani sit up and placed the tray on her lap, “Got you some food so you can regain your strength.”
Avani said nothing as her mother gave her the cup of hot sweet tea and watched her drink that. The bowl had some stew in it with a hunk of bread on the side. Avani knew she would get no answers unless she drank her tea and ate a few spoonfuls of stew.
“What happened?” Avani said as she tore a piece of bread off.
“You fainted I believe.” Her mother said placing a hand on her forehead. It made Avani feel better at the gesture. She knew well her mother couldn’t help it, but she allowed it since it did make her feel better, “Too much magic was what your father said. But he rode back to the ranch with you before going out to get a new tree.”
“What?” Avani said. Her mother had taken her hand off her forehead and she stared at the woman somewhat angry that her father had not gone out to get the tree she had healed. “Why would he get another tree?”
“The men said they couldn’t bring themselves to cut that one down.” Her mother smiled and placed her hands in her lap, “I agreed, mostly because they ‘couldn’t cut down a tree that their Little Miss had healed herself with all of her magic’.”
Avani starred into the bowl of stew, her anger rapidly fading.
Some of those men had known her since she had come here with her parents and knew that she loved the earth as much as was possible for a farmer. Some said she was just like her father in that respect. Her father would say that she was a true Autumtree and followed in the family footsteps.
“I will have to thank them somehow.” Avani said smiling a little.
“Well, they are down decorating the new tree out front, so if you are done, I’ll take you out.”
Avani nodded and allowed her mother to take the tray and place it on the chair she had vacated. She stood and accepted her mother’s help putting on her jacket and boots.
They made their way downstairs, rather slowly since Avani was still a little tired. But as her mother opened the front door, Avani smiled at the scene that greeted her.
There was a tree there, all decorated in its glory, sitting in its metal tree stand that Avani’s family had brought from their old home. The star on top of the tree shined with embedded light magic through the night, and would remain up till a few days after solstice night.
“Ah, you should be in bed.” Avani heard her father’s voice.
She turned as saw him come up the front steps. Avani smiled at him, but turned back to the group gathered around a table of sweets. Avani chuckled as she saw Honoka and Nix running around after the worker’s children, who were shrieking with delight.
“No, I needed this.” She said smiling. She looked to her father and said, “Though I would have wished for my tree to have been used, I could see why it wasn’t.” she looked back to Honoka and the others who smiling and having a good time, “And I needed to see those who did it for me.” She leaned against her father as she didn’t want to burden her mother, “I’m glad they are happy with this one.”
She was tired still, probably wouldn’t be up to work for a few days, but somewhere out there, a tree lived with the spirit of the solstice.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: March 13th, 2015
Words: 2,013
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:03 pm
~An Avani Adventure!~
~Light on the Darkest Day~
~A Solo RP~ Avani looked at all the Solstice candles in the store windows. She wished she could afford one of the prettier ones for her home this year as it was the first solstice she would be spending there. However, with her newfound freedom and independence from her parents, the responsibilities of being an adult and mother kept her from her wishes.
Avani sighed and opened the door to the mercantile knowing she could only afford the most basic candle this year due to her payments she still had to make on her land and the cost of building her house. She thanked the gods that both the owners of the land office and construction company knew her and her family and gave her leeway on her payments. Even the bonus her father gave all his employees every year would go straight to the payments. She had just enough of her regular salary for bare necessities she needed from the mercantile. Until her urruu’s started laying eggs enough to help with credit at the shop it would be cash on the barrel.
But one always made time for children, and it was her first solstice away from home.
She, Honoka, and Nix could have a solstice with at least the big candle for Solstice Night couldn’t they?
It was coins well spent for a little cheer.
“I’m home Honoka!”
Avani opened the front door and was greeted by Nix and Honoka both excited to see her. Avani laughed as she made her way to the kitchen as both nudged forward to sniff and welcome her home.
As she placed her packages on the counters and put away her purchases, Honoka chatted about the lesson that Criani had given her that day. Even in her broken sentences, Avani could tell she was getting better at speaking Magescican, and wondered how her Draconian was coming along.
“Cri said she would come this week.” Honoka said, “She said that she wanted to tell you how I am in lessons.” Honoka frowned a little and then looked around. Avani knew she was going to ask something she didn’t really know how Avani would answer. Avani smiled and waited till the little one was ready. “Mama… Can Cri come for the candle?”
Avani smiled at her daughter and nodded.
“If she wishes to come, she can. She’s a part of this family.”
“Yay!” Honoka said happily running around the kitchen, and knocking over a few chairs in the process.
Avani laughed and said, “But good little khehoras need to take baths tonight!”
With an abrupt stop, (that caused Nix to run into Honoka since she was chasing her), and a few grumblings, Honoka went upstairs to get ready for her bath as Avani put away the things she bought in town. Avani laughed happily at seeing the simple things that brought happiness to her child.
“Cri?”
“Yes?” Criani said looking at her young charge.
Honoka had been shy again during fighting training. Perhaps it was another question she was shy about. She watched Honoka for a few moments as she looked around, but then the little one looked right at her, determination on her face.
“You come for Solstice Night?” Honoka asked.
Criani tilted her head in confusion. Solstice Night? The term seemed familiar… Oh yes, the Orderite two-legger custom in winter! She remembered a few times in her youth the mayor of the town her clan protected had brought treats to the clan, in particular the young ones, at this time of year. Her parents seemed to encourage the exchange as part of her lessons on two-legger culture.
“You want me to come Honoka? I don’t know….” Criani was hesitant to intrude on an important two-legger custom.
“Mama said you family, so you come!” the little one blurted out.
Criani smiled at Honoka. She was happy that the two-legger thought of her as family, and that she could come to the solstice event. But she would have to talk to her friend to see if it really was alright.
“I’ll come and talk to your mother tomorrow morning about it.” Criani said smiling, “But now back to practice!”
“OK!” Honoka said.
“Of course you can come!”
Criani felt shy all of the sudden.
“I don’t know what to say…” Criani said. She had never had much interaction with the two-leggers till she had moved here and met Avani, “I-I hope I don’t bother your family too much…”
“It’s just going to be us this year.” Avani said. “I think my parents will come a few days after, so you don’t have to worry about being around them if you don’t want to be.”
Criani breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t too sure how to act around farmers who would probably hate her.
“Thank you.” Criani said as she nuzzled her friends face, “I’ve felt so lost these past years… I’m glad I met you….”
Avani patted Criani’s head and as they pulled apart she said, “Bring something that you treasure the most.” Criani felt confused and watched as Avani laughed and then said, “It’s a part of our custom, don’t worry you can have it back!”
Criani nodded. After a bit more talk about Honoka’s lessons and how she was doing, Criani went off in the quickening darkening of the day to find a meal and then head home for the hunt of something that she treasured the most.
Criani went into the back of the cave where she kept her treasures. She moved a few boxes around and made it to the secret crevice that was just big enough for her to get though. This led to the actual back, and end of this particular tunnel. She hadn’t noticed the crevice at first since the opening had blended in with the wall, but when she did, she knew she would keep her most precious treasures back here.
She ignored most of the trinkets though. She had thought long and hard about what she would take to Avani’s house a few days from now. It wasn’t as hard as she thought it would have been.
She went to the back wall and took up a small box. She smiled at it thinking about the contents of it. She opened it and smiled down at the small, dry, and pressed flowers that were there.
She gently moved a claw against them, barely touching them. She remembered the day her mother gently coaxed the plant to bloom with her Ysali magic.
That moment had spurred her to find her gift of magic. Though she turned out to be Peisio, her mother and father had been extremely happy for her, and began to teach her how to be a healer as well as a battler.
Criani shut the box and hugged it tight. The flowers reminded her of her parents and their desire for peace between khehoras and two-leggers, teaching her to heal as well as fight.
Criani took the box out of her treasure tunnel and placed it in the tunnel she used for her bed. She would take this to Avani’s for solstice night.
Honoka sat on her thinking rock. She was not happy. She didn’t know what she would use as her most treasured item this year. She had been using the khehora shaped doll her grandmamma had made her, but this year, things had changed so much. She was learning how to be a khehora, how to fly, how to use magic.
Honoka sighed, life seemed to change constantly. She didn’t like it, but she guessed that it was the way of things. Honoka reached out with her magic and made mounds of black earth explode up through the deep snow. She had noticed that during winter here the earth was sluggish to respond the colder it was. Perhaps it was sleeping? Honoka would have to figure that out herself since people who used Gaili magic around here were very rare.
Honoka reached out with her magic to her thinking rock. It seemed to like her sitting there pondering since it always seemed to reach back to her with a warm loving vibe. Honoka let her magic flow over the area as far as it could. She could sense the rocks and soil and also the plants sleeping under the snow. Though she couldn’t “speak” with them as she could with the soil and rocks, she could sense them there still as a part of the soil, as if the soil needed to be bonded to the roots of the plants.
She loved her magic and was glad she could connect with the earth.
Suddenly, Honoka felt with her magic a rock that felt rather warm and friendly. She turned her head in confusion and wondered what it was about this rock. She poked and prodded it with her magic. It was too deep to dig out, mama would make her take a bath if she did that, so she used her magic to. Honoka surrounded it with her magic and began the process of digging it out that way.
She shifted dirt around and pushed it up slowly. It was a rather good sized rock, or whatever it was. It didn’t feel the same way a rock did, a rock felt solid and secure and sure of itself. This was a different kind. Honoka felt her limited magic begin to lessen in power, but she began to push herself more. She wanted this rock thing out so she could find out what it was!
Finally Honoka could feel the rock thing reach the surface. She pushed it slightly out of the ground and above the snow, so a tiny bit of the top was showing. Honoka fell against her thinking rock, letting go of her magic, thanking it for getting the strange rock that far. She breathed deeply, regaining her strength, letting the cold seep into her cooling body. Using magic was exhausting!
After resting a bit, Honoka tumbled off her rock, landing in a pile of snow. Honoka shook off the snow, and hopped over to the spot her rock had appeared. She called on a little magic to slowly push it up and out of the earth, and dug the snow away from it.
It was a strange rock. It didn’t look like a normal rock. Honoka turned it around in her hands and then rolled it on the ground a bit. She then licked it. It tasted different too.
She sent out a small amount of magic and probed it. It was hollow inside, but there was something else in there as well… She would open it and see!
Though drained, she carefully began to pry the rock apart the last bit of magic she had. It was rather easy in her opinion, and it fell in two pieces on the ground. Honoka carefully looked at the pieces and was amazed at what she saw.
Inside were tiny crystals in the hollowed out parts! It was very pretty… Like snow formed inside the rock. Honoka was rather happy about her amazing find. She carefully picked up the rock pieces, and walked home. Though she would have liked to run, she didn’t want to hurt the crystals. Plus, she had to oddly walk on her wrists! But nothing could dampen the happiness in her find. Wait till she showed mama!
Avani looked up from the cookies she was decorating at the knock on the back door. She placed the knife on the table, wiped her hands on her apron, and opened the door a crack to see who it was. Avani smiled brightly as she saw Criani at the back door.
“Welcome!” Avani said. She opened the door wide and saw that Criani had a small box with her in her hands. She was instantly curious, but didn’t pry. If Criani wanted to share what it was she would.
“I brought my treasure.” Criani said softly. Avani smiled as she could tell her normally bold friend was shy about it, “What do I do with it?”
“Go into the living room and place it on the table with the large candle.” Avani said, “We’ll start the lighting at sundown.”
Avani shut the door as her friend nodded and proceeded into the living room. Honoka was there, more giddy than usual, but that was understandable given the excitement of the day. Avani smiled and went back to decorating her cookies. She was glad she could afford the candle, it was right to do it this year even if it cost a little more than she could afford.
“All right Honoka! It’s time! Go get your treasure!”
Criani watched the little one bounce up the stairs with Nix on her head. Apparently, according to Avani, the youngling had been very secretive about her treasure this year. Criani turned back and saw Avani head over to a desk and take out something from a drawer.
Criani had been nervous and shy when she had arrived at Avani’s house. She didn’t know what to do for this holiday, but Honoka, speaking in both Draconic and Magescican, told her about what was to happen. Well, the child’s version anyway.
“You all set too Criani?” Avani asked her.
“Yes.” Criani pointed to the table by the large front window that held a tall and fat candle, “My box is over there.”
“Good!” Avani said.
Criani saw she had some papers in her hand as she walked over to the table. She placed them on the table next to Criani’s box. What was so special about paper? She watched as her friend looked at the paper with love in her eyes and placed a hand on it. It was the actions and look she often saw her give Honoka before sending her off to lessons. She then realized it was the same thing she did when looking at her mother’s flowers.
“May I ask, what are those papers?” Criani said moving over to the table.
Her friend looked at her with surprise in her eyes, but it changed back to the love she had seen earlier.
“They are the deeds to the land that I bought.” Avani looked at the papers, “They are the papers that says I own the lake and farm I bought.” She heard Avani give a small chuckle and say, “I love this land, I grew up here with Nix, raised Honoka around here, and when I finally could afford it, I bought it. It may take me a while to pay back some loans, but I will one day own it full and clear.” She looked to Criani and smiled, “Two-legger laws may not be clear to you, but to me, it says this land is mine, and I won’t give it to anyone.”
“I can understand your laws when you put it that way.” She cocked her head to the side, “It’s like having territory, but not having to chase people away for it.”
“Sometimes we do, and that paper gives me the right to do so in our society.”
Criani nodded, “Should I leave your territory?”
Avani laughed and went over to her friend and rubbed her muzzle with her hand. Criani purred and nuzzled her hand as she spoke.
“You are welcome to any part of my land Criani. You are just as good as family.”
Criani purred louder at that and nuzzled her hand more.
“Thank you.” She said as she pulled away, “It means much to me.”
Cri moved over to the table and picked her box up. She went back to Avani and opened it, showing her the flowers.
“My mother helped these bloom one year.” Criani said as she saw Avani lower her head to look at it, “My mother was a Ysali and could help heal not only others, but plants as well. She taught me much, as did my father, and that’s what these represent to me.” Criani smiled as Avani looked up at her, “They were killed by Orderites when I was about a little older than Honoka, but I don’t blame them all… just the ones who killed.”
Avani took the box from Criani, shut the lid, then placed it on the table, and hurried back to her friend and gave her a hug.
“I’m sorry.” She said. Criani noticed Avani’s wings appear and watched as they came around her to hug Criani as well. Criani hugged her friend back and knew Avani meant her apology, even if it wasn’t her fault. “It’s a wonderful treasure to bring.”
Criani smiled and let go of her friend, “It is?”
Avani smiled brightly at her friend, it changed to the smile that Criani knew meant that she had a surprise.
“Yes! I’ll tell you more when Honoka gets down here with her treasure!”
Criani laughed and sat back, “Then I hope she hurries!”
“Alright Honoka, are you ready?”
“Yes mama!”
Avani saw she was caring what looked like two halves of a rock. She raised her eyebrows at it and Honoka smiled brightly.
“I find with magic!” Honoka held out the pieces, “See? Sparkles!”
“Oh my.” Avani said. She took one of the pieces and smiled, “It’s a geode!”
“Gee-ode?” Honka said
“Yes, it’s a special rock that is very fragile. You found this with your magic?”
“Yes!” said her daughter. Avani watched as her tail began to swish towards a chair. Her thoughts went to how to Honoka proof her house from now on as it actually hit the chair on one of the passes of the growing tail. “I open too!”
“Perhaps Grandpapa can help you polish it to make it look prettier.”
“Really?!”
Avani watched as her daughter’s tail began to swish even harder against the chair. The poor chair was about to fall over if Avani didn’t do something soon.
“Yes. Now let’s light the candle now.” Avani said handing back the piece of rock to Honoka.
Honoka moved to the table with the rocks carefully. Avani watched as her daughter tried to walk with her wrists as she held the geode pieces. She gave a chuckle and walked over to the table with Criani at her side. Avani took Honoka’s treasures and placed them next to her land deed, and Criani’s box that was open. Even Nix had brought down some fading ribbons. They were the same ones she used every year. They were the first ones Avani had ever given her.
She smiled and turned to her family and started the ceremony of lighting Seren’s solstice candle.
“We gather here on the shortest day of the year, the longest night, to celebrate a year of Seren’s blessings, and to ask her to shine her light on us for the next year.” Avani lit a match and placed the flame on the large, plain, white candle’s wick. She watched as the light from the candle spread over the four treasures gathered there. Nix’s ribbons on the table next to Honoka’s geodes. Avani could see the words on the deed to her land, and Criani’s flowers seemed to be bright and alive. She smiled and continued, “Without darkness, light cannot exist, nor can darkness exist without light. Seren, let your everlasting light shine through the darkness on those who gather here. May they have good fortune and good health in the next year to come.”
Avani and Honoka said a short prayer of thanks to Seren, then passed around the traditional white bread buns filled with sweat honx meat and a glass of white sweet wine. Honoka and Nix got sheron milk though since they were too little yet for the wine.
“Happy Solstice my loves!” Avani said holding up her glass of sweet wine, “May your next year be filled with light!”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: March 13th, 2015
Words: 3,303
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:03 pm
~An Avani Adventure!~
~Magic Comes From the Heart~
~A Solo RP~ Avani stepped out of her house and shielded her eyes from the sun. It was brilliant in the mornings, especially now when it stayed longer in the sky. The snow on the roof long melted, little patches were still here and there on the ground, but a few more days and they too would be gone. Green shoots that heralded the return of the summer and fall wildflowers.
Avani smiled and breathed in the fresh air. It had rained for the past two days, and she was glad today was clear of any clouds. She would be going over to the house that she had bought, not only to check on the repairs, but to check on the land she was going to soon get ready to plow and plant.
Something had bothered her about it, she didn’t know what, but it something didn’t feel right.
After shooing Honoka off to her lessons and placing rinsed dishes in the sink, Avani called to Nix and locked the door before mounting her hastar that was waiting for her. She smiled and patted his mane, and he snorted in response. He wanted to go and run, Avani thought as she lifted her little fea in front of her. It’s a good day for it too…
“We’ll go have a run after I check that land.” Avani said bending over to speak in his ear, “I think we all would like that.”
The hastar nickered in response and pranced. Avani laughed and after letting him get a few steps, pointed him towards the farmland that Avani was going to check.
“Not sure about this land.” Said one of the ranch hands Avani worked with. He lifted his hat and scratched his head, “Can’t tell what is wrong with it, but it sure isn’t good to plant stuff in.”
Avani could tell that much. She scrunched up her nose at the fact that most of the land couldn’t be used for farming. She thought a moment, her co-worker placing his hat back on his head, perhaps there was something she could do.
“Stand back.” Avani said as she sat on the ground.
She saw the man move away from her, heard the shuffle of his feet on the ground. While the ground was damp and a little too soft for her taste, Avani settled her hands into the earth.
She had been reading the spell book that was her grandmother’s again. She wondered if the final chapter could help her here.
She summoned her magic, the breathing routine familiar now after years of practice. She breathed deeply and felt her magic gather within her.
“Muoroula Realira”
This time when picturing the field she was working on, she did not ask her magic to heal, not yet. She went seeking with it, the cause of the problem.
The earth was tired, it had been sapped of most nutrients. Avani wasn’t surprised, mostly because if the previous family used all spare coin on healers for their sick relative, then they not only neglected the house, but the state of the land as well. Hiring healers for the sick as well as for the land would cost an enormous amount of coin. Avani didn’t blame them though. She would do all she could for a sick family member as well.
However, as she searched the land, she found blight infecting the land. She nudged it with her magic to see what it was, and was glad to see it was just a fungal blight, something she could heal immediately.
So she scanned the rest of the land in that fashion. Glad to see that the land did not suffer because of anything other than the fungal blight and tiredness, she went on to healing the land itself. She would do this in sections over a period of weeks, but eventually it would be restored to a rich soil.
She focused her magic on the one large section of land she was in now, and went to work repairing the damaged land.
“There.”
Avani opened her eyes and looked out across the last section of land she had finished healing. It had been a long month of resting and healing, but it was worth it. Now not only did the fields have a rich feel to it when she scanned it with her magic, but so did the land around the old house. Whoever would live there would have the chance to have a grand garden.
She leaned back against the same ranch hand that had stood with her when she first began the healing process and sighed in weariness. She would have to take some time out to recover, but the fatigue was worth it.
“Sure is pretty when you use your magic Miss.” said the ranch hand as he looked down at her.
Avani smiled and said, “I am just glad that it helps the land.”
As he helped her stand and move to a chair under a tree, she looked out over her land and smiled. She had plans for this land, and she hoped that whomever she could get to be her foreman would love it as much as she did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: March 14, 2015
Words: 867
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:04 pm
~An Avani Adventure!~
~Circles~
~A Solo RP~ Avani stood in her best dress in front of the newly renovated farm house on her property. She also had plates of sweet rolls and apple cake that she made herself. She was sort of nervous.
Inside the house was the family that would rent the house, the man of the house her new ranch foreman.
Next to her Honoka and Nix stood, both adorned with ribbons that matched them. Honoka was wiggling her tail and looking up at Avani, as she looked down at Honoka. She smiled at the two of them and headed up to the porch of the house.
She balanced her plates on one arm and knocked loudly with the empty hand. She then quickly too one plate away so it didn’t fall. She heard the steady thump of Honoka’s tail.
Soon the door opened and Avani saw a tall man with green hair and golden eyes. She smiled brightly offering the food to him.
“Hi!” Avani said cheerfully, “I’m Avani Autumntree! I thought I would bring over some sweets for you and your family!” The man blinked and looked down at Honoka and Nix. “Oh, this is Honoka and Nix.” Avani said, “Don’t worry they are well behaved.”
“Hi!” Honoka said smiling. “Mama brought sweet rolls and cake, and they are really good!”
Nix chirped and made happy sounds while perched on Honoka’s head.
The man smiled at the two and then looked to Avani.
“I am Rilale Jansokin.” He opened the door wide and stepped aside to let her in, “It is a pleasure to meet you in person Miss. Autumtree.”
“Call me Avani.” She said happily. She stepped inside, Honoka and Nix following her. “Or Miss Avani. That’s what most of my father’s men call me.”
“Let me take a plate.” Said Rilale. He took the plate with the sweet rolls and said, “My wife is in the kitchen.” Avani, though she knew the way, followed the man to the kitchen. She turned from closing the oven and smiled at the new comer. She had pretty orange eyes and almost a clear white hair. Avani smiled back, happily. “This is my wife Aryna.” Rilale said as he placed the plate of sweet rolls on the kitchen table and said, “Aryna, this is Miss. Avani Autumtree, though she likes to be called Avani or Miss. Avani.”
“Pleased to meet you!” Avani said happily, “I brought some sweets to welcome you to your new home and to say if I can do anything for you, I’ll try my best!”
“My, that’s sweet of you.” Aryna said happily as she took the plate with cake on it, “I didn’t think you would be so young!” the woman blushed a moment and then said, “Er, that is, you sounded much older in your letters…”
“It’s ok!” Avani said. She smiled brightly, “I am only twenty-six, but I learned from my father who was around that age when he finally took over some of the work at his family farm.”
“And who are these two?” said the woman finally looking down at Honoka and Nix.
“I’m Honoka!” said the youngling. Honoka pointed to Nix who was still on her head, “This is Nix!”
“Oh so cute!” said Aryna said. Avani had the feeling she would have petted Honoka if she wasn’t holding a plate, “You must stay for sweets.”
“Can we Mama?” Honoka said looking up at Avani.
“If you behave.” Avani said raising an eyebrow.
“Yes Mama!” Honoka said swishing her tail along the floor happily.
“Lysil will be pleased. She didn’t want to move...” She placed the plate she was holding on the table, “But I think this place will be better for her. She wasn’t really happy where we lived.” She smiled and went to the back door, “I have a feeling this place will be good for us all.” She opened the door and stepped out and called, “Lysil! We have company!”
Avani heard a voice respond, but not the words. She took a seat that was around the kitchen table and allowed Honoka and Nix a sweet roll offered by Aryna. Soon she heard steps on the back steps and the opening of the back door. A little girl with orange eyes and long, curly, green hair stepped into the kitchen. She shyly looked at Avani, and when she saw Honoka and Nix, her eyes went wide.
“Hello!” Avani said as the girl looked at her, “I’m Avani!” She pointed to Nix and Honoka, “This is Honoka and Nix.”
“Hello!” Honoka said after taking a swallow of a sweet roll, “I’m Honoka!”
Nix chirped and chimed at the new arrival from Honoka’s side.
“That’s a Khehora.” Said the little girl.
Avani laughed. She heard the older woman chide her daughter, but Avani smiled at Lysil at her bluntness.
“Yes, Honoka is a youngling. She’s just a little older than you are.” Avani said smiling brightly, “Perhaps you can be friends.”
“With a khehora?” Lysil said. It was said not in a mean way, but more in a curious way.
“Yes.” Avani said thinking of a certain khehora she made friends with at a young age, “I made friends with her father when I was about your age. But I raised Honoka from an egg, so she knows and loves two-leggers.”
“What is Nix?” Lysil said moving closer.
“She’s a little fea. We found each other near my lake, also when I was around your age.” Nix, who was finished with her roll, moved to the little girl chirping and snuggled around her legs. Avani laughed, “That’s what she does when she likes a person.”
“Nix is fun.” Honoka said licking her fingers, “She loves to swim!”
Lysil bent down and petted the fea and said, “She’s soft.”
Avani smiled, “Yes she is. I think it’s because she’s a water fea.”
“I’m a Gaili!” Honoka said brightly, “I can do a little bit of magic too!”
“You can do magic?” Lysil said her eyes widening.
“Just a bit.” Honka said smiling, “My teacher is teaching me more.”
“Can I see?” Lysil said.
“Can I show her Mama?” Honoka said, her tail swishing more along the floor. “Just a little bit?”
“Outside within calling distance.” Avani said, she ducked her head and said looking up at Aryna, “Er, that is if it’s alright with you? Honoka won’t do any damage to the land or anything.”
“That’s fine with me.” The older woman said smiling, “Gives us time for a chat.”
“Yay!” Honoka said, she went up to the door and tried to open it, but couldn’t. Lysil went over and opened the door for her, “Thanks! I don’t do well with doors.”
Lysil blushed and followed the khehora outside, Nix following.
Avani smiled and sat back to have a nice chat with her new ranch foreman and his wife. She invited them all to her parent’s house for dinner soon, giving directions to go across the fields.
“It won’t bother them will it?” asked Rilale.
“No.” Avani said smiling and shaking her head, “Mama and Papa love having guests, and if you give Mama a few days to prepare, we’ll even invite some ranch hands to have a roast.”
The couple looked at each other and then looked back to Avani.
“We thank you for giving us a chance.” Rilale said. He took his wife’s hand and said, “It wasn’t possible for us to stay where we were from since jobs were scarce.”
“It’s all right.” Avani said smiling, “The people here are loving and understanding. Most have accepted me and Honoka, and don’t care I have raised a khehora. They also do not mind the adult khehora that live here mostly because they keep to the forests and eat what is in there.” She blushed and said, “It is really I who thank you for giving me a chance. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t find people who accepted my khehora friends.”
“It is not our place to hate people for what they are.” Said Aryna, “I am sure you are a person who gathers around you people who are loving and accepting as well.”
Avani blushed further.
After some more idle chatter, Avani called Honoka and Nix in to leave.
“Can I help you on your farm?” Lysil said after Avani helped Honoka and Nix into the small wagon she had brought. Avani watched the little girl blush and say, “I mean… Well… I just like growing things.”
“You can come and help if you wish.” Avani said placing a hand on the child’s head and smiling, “I’m sure there can be something you can do. I’ll even give you some seeds to start a garden with your Mama.”
“Really?!” The girl said perking up, “I can?!”
“Yes.” Avani said smiling brightly.
The little girl ran off to her parents who were standing on the porch telling them that Avani said it was alright to work with her. Avani laughed and got into the wagon. She waved as she took the reins and moved the hastar attached around to the road leading off the house.
As she heard Honoka and Nix saying goodbye behind her, she wondered if that little girl was just like she was at that age. Things seemed to continue in the cycle of life apparently. Perhaps little Lysil would prove to be big competition when she grew up.
Avani laughed. Life sure was funny.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Posted: March 18th, 2015
Words: 1,759
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:25 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~A Shadow Walking in the Sun~~An RP Journal Reflection~ I met an Oblivionite in the village today. His name is Rea, and apparently he's with the guardians. I didn't know that they employed Oblivionite's in the guardians... I wonder just how many are in his unit? Besides that, he seems nice, a little nervous, but nice. It's understandable that nervousness... he is, after all, an Oblivionite in a rural Orderite village.
Hopefully he comes back for dinner with his friends!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 1,236
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:25 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~The Crow and the Butterfly~~An RP Journal Reflection~ Oblivion came back! He's completed his ritual to change into a Khehorian, and he's really pretty looking. Well, for a Khehorian. Anyway, I hope to introduce him to Honoka. I'm nervous... I hope I did a good enough job... Wait, is he here to take Honoka away?! I hope not! I'll fight him tooth and nail to keep her with me!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 2,067
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:26 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~Getting to Know You!~~An RP Journal Reflection~ I invited Oblivion home for dinner and to visit with Honoka and I. It was fun cooking dinner for someone. Oh I can cook for Honoka every day, but it's fun cooking for guests. It was also rather amusing that he tried to use utensils.
After dinner I brought down the egg shell I saved for Honoka and told the story of her birth. Honoka loves the story, and I thought Oblivion would love the chance to hear the story of how she was born. He will stay the night at least, I hope he stays longer to get to know Honoka.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 3,367
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:26 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~Pester Pester Flight~~An RP Journal Reflection~ Oblvion, Honoka, and I went to the market in the Ashen City. Oblvion stole a candy using his magic, and I didn't really like it. But I understand. It is who Oblivion is. He is a really good friend and person despite his differences, and I will always love him for who and what he is. A kind and good heated person.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 2,094
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:26 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~The Land of the Rising Sun~~An RP Journal Reflection~ I saw a shadow of a large creature pass over the house, and knew it had to be a dragon. I don't like the thought of dragons being around here, so I went out to see what it was doing. If it was just passing though I would leave it be. But I found two men instead, in an embrace! Oh imagine my embarrassment interrupting them.
Turns out both are Dovva masters, one being a hybrid! My first time meeting one! I invited them to my house for dinner and offered it as a place they may stay during their time here. I hope they can enjoy the land of Serenia despite their nervousness about Cass' blood.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: Aprox. 1,645
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:26 pm
~Reflections of the Past~Wild Stallions~~An RP Journal Reflection~ I saw the most beautiful wild stallion in the woods today. I want that beauty. He just reminds me of Serenia's beauty with his greens and golds. He would be a perfect addition to my animals. Granted my animals consist of one sheron for milk, and a leklan for wool, but I do wish to give my father back his hastar he gave me so I could ride.
Capture, however, is possibly the negative side to capturing him.
I will have him.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 634
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:27 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~Catch That Hastar!~~An RP Journal Reflection~ I met a strange khehora in the woods who had the company of a leklan. Poor thing seemed scared... and the khehora thought I was taking him away from her... Well, who am I to judge about having strange friends when I befriend khehora's all the time!
Anyway, I told her about my hastar problem and she decided it was time for a hunt herself and would help me.
I hope she doesn't eat it.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 538
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:27 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~More Fun With Hastars~~An RP Journal Reflection~ Finally captured the hastar.
Couldn't tame him.
Sore and covered in fruit.
This means war.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 758
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:27 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~Dont Stop Till You Drop!~~An RP Journal Reflection~ Fresh from our clean up and rest, Naita and I went after the hastar again. It seemed to be tiring. However, even with that fact I wasn't able to capture it, so it went into the deeper woods. Thankfully, Naita has happily offered to sniff it out since I can't see.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: 556
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:27 pm
~Reflections of the Past~~So, A Hastar Runs Into the Woods...~~An RP Journal Reflection~ Using a taming jewel, I managed to capture and tame the wild hastar. The hardest parts are over, now to train him. I hope I can succeed in doing such.
Naita has proven to be a good sport and friend through the whole ordel. I'll take extra care of Cid's wool this time. Perhaps I can persuade her to breed him with a ewe with fine wool too...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words: Aprox. 659
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