Second Visit
935


Considering it was only his second visit, it wouldn't come as much of a surprise that Ashur was still completely awed by the sight of the Ashurian gates. Grand, warm, and welcoming -- that was the atmosphere he got. And, despite not having any overtly familiar feelings about the place beyond what a second-time visitor would have, the Page still felt quite...proud, and he had a feeling that this city was very much alive back in its day.

Lively and bustling, streets teeming with stalls and carts and produce and wares and people.

Loneliness tinged the pride that swelled in his eyes as Ashur took the necessary steps to make his way into his wonder, breathing slow and deep as he took it all in for a second time. Perhaps it was because of the fact that this was his second time being there, but he felt particularly attuned that day. He closed his eyes and walked, let his senses guide him up the streets and down the alleys. Across market squares, weaving into and out of the empty buildings.

There was life there -- he could feel it.

Maybe not in the very physical sense, but the Page's lips turned up in the slightest of smiles as he felt the energy of this once active city reverberate off of the walls of the buildings. Echo down the streets. Breeze past him in the wind.

When he finally opened his eyes Ashur realized that his subconscious had led him to the same building that he ended up inside before he found himself back on that rooftop on Earth. He hadn't taken the time to really see this place for what it was at the time. His mind was too busy floating in more of a peaceful calm, but this time he was a little more focused. Still calm -- he had a feeling this place would only ever bring him peace of mind -- but focused.

Perhaps because he was just so far away from what was causing his emotions to go into overdrive, but Ashur, the city, just...had a way with him.

Cerulean blues glanced around, taking everything in, in one sweeping look. The Page took another deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling a small ripple in that peace that had overtaken him since his arrival. It was curious, like...a beacon, maybe.

"Hm…" he mused aloud, brows scrunched somewhat in thought as he let his subconscious guide him once again, this time to the source of the "disturbance." He made his way around the room, his steps being the only sound that filled his ears as he went. It wasn't long before he was in the area of the room where this beacon was now more like a siren on full blast, and the Page opened his eyes.

"Rubble?" he asked no one in particular before crouching down and taking a careful look at the small pile of rocks. Looking up he realized that these rocks formed this portion of the wall, once, before something or someone decided to take it down. Shame, really, Ash thought in passing as he got on his knees. The room always had a grand feel to it, even in all its ruin. He could only have imagined what it looked like in its prime.

The Page pushed aside the rocks, letting the ripple guide his hands and, lo and behold, he came across a ring. His ring, he thought as he took hold of it and dusted it off. Under the grime, he noted, the ring was still in perfect condition. It even gleamed in the bit of sunlight that streamed in through the remains of old tapestries that managed to stay hanging on the walls over the years. And he couldn't help but smile as he slipped it on.

To say he was startled when he heard a soft clapping from behind him would be an understatement; the man nearly had a heart attack as he turned around and positioned himself in a generic fighting stance. Truth be told, if there was anyone threatening here he was probably a sitting duck on his own, but all the same he pulled out his sticks and stood on the defensive.

But she clapped on, smiling wide and brightly at him.

He stared into vibrant green eyes and, despite himself, lowered his weapons and relaxed. She stepped toward him and he lowered his gaze to meet hers when she finally stopped, confusion likely written all over his face.

"I suppose you are more than a little curious about who I am?" she said. Her voice was soft, almost melodious, and there was a depth to it that he didn't quite understand. Ash only managed to nod dumbly, to which she laughed lightly.

"Have you any idea where you are?"

He nodded.

"These are ruins of an old city I once called my home."

"Ashur."

"Yes." She seemed to pause then, a hint of sadness marring the vibrant green of her eyes. "And I, too, once had the honor of being its knight."

"You were…"

"Once also called Ashur Knight, yes." And she paused again, a knowing look now crossing her features. "That title and that honor is yours now, however. I am not here to challenge that."

A long, almost heavy silence drew between them before he finally broke it

"So what should I call you?"

And she smiled at that, soft and...lonely, really. As though she was dredging up memories long past. Memories that she would rather not have. Still, she answered.

"Alya. My birth name was Alya."