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 Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:51 pm
The mountains were daunting in appearance against the early mists of morning. Freezing winds ripped through the valleys and up swirling loose snow towards the heavens. Ice, glimmering in the few dancing rays of light, covered most of the paths. While others may have avoided the older paths at such a time a young man stood at the crossroads, "Zena." The name of the country seemed to echo through the mountains almost in a curse. This frozen land had been his prison for so many years and now he was finally leaving.
It would have been much better if his body had stayed in the depths of the valleys, frozen in ice.
A twisted smirk darkened his features before he turned so that the wind could whip against his face. Long, dark tendrils of hair were brushed as the hood of his fur cloak fell backwards against the forceful air. He wouldn't forget the chill of this breeze or the comfort of the ice around him. Such ice had protected him for so long and even now despite all the changes happening the ice only thickened around his heart. His bloodstained hands made certain of that. He frowned at the thought, conflicted by the lack of memories from that day, before shaking his head. All he knew was that he was not the Ciaran he once was and instead Kian now stood here to say goodbye to these lands.It had taken days to heal enough, but now he felt ready to leave with the sorcerer. Attesting to his current state were bandages wrapped all along his neck and chest, each smelling slightly of the bitter ointment that had helped to seal the deep wounds. At the thought a hand trailed up lightly to touch against his neck.
Slightly wincing Kian only smiled, "It's all worth it in the end as long as you're safe and happy, sister." Perhaps the gods had given him this new chance at life because of what appeared to be a selfless act of courage.However, in his heart he had been rather selfish by hoping that blade would have finally killed him. Instead they were cruel and forced me to continue on. Every time that he embraced death someone would be there to force him to live again. Last time he had fallen in the snow and ice ready to give up his spirit, but even then Nerio had found him.
"I suppose if I jump from this cliff then someone will catch me as I fall?" Teasingly he took a step forward as if to test fate. The cliff was so alluring, so tempting...his troubled spirit rejoiced in the idea of just falling into eternity. Could he do that? Perhaps in the next life I can set things right for you and I, Talisia... As if reflecting his inner struggles the winds began to howl once more and it was there that Kian stood teetering on the edge of the cliffs pondering his fate.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:03 pm
While her mother was working, Aaricia had left the shelter of home to explore. These days, the youngling spent her time mapping out the various paths for herself. ..One day, she would use these paths to leave home, and take her mother and her friend to better, friendlier places. Until that day though, she was intent on planning out the best route.
Besides planning out trails to escape on, it was some good alone time. Few traveled along the twisting paths, but Aaricia was willing to take the unbeaten paths. Something told her that freedom would not come along on the main roadways where most of the merchants came and went.
Taking out her little sketch pad, she started to sketch out the latest path under her feet. Her drawings weren't necessarily accurate, but she was an artist in her mind. This path... it looked like it might cross one of the others. She wrinkled her nose. Even if it was along the cliffside, crossroads meant common intersections. That wasn't what she wanted.
When she heard a faint voice on the wind, she paused to look around. It took another set of hesitant steps for her to catch sight of the dark figure standing so close to the edge. Her heart lept into her throat, holding back the scream of fear that nearly escaped. A sharp wind made her squeak, her long braid whipping about. "Don't fall!" she called out, hugging her cloak tighter around herself as she stepped forward, pausing a safe distance out of reach, and away from the ledge. Her own experience with a cliffside made her wary of the edge, and she remained as far from it as possible while still within earshot. Did the guy not know the ledge was slippery with snow and ice?
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:43 pm
Kian stared intently into the swirling white depths of the valley. How long would it be before anyone found him? There was no one left in Zena to claim him either save for Nerio. Even then he doubted the sorcerer would shed any tears over his loss. Losing an apprentice? He should be thankful that I'm saving him work. But what about Tally, what would his twin say?
"Don't fall!"
Those words echoed on the winds and Kian's heart clenched in surprise. Who? Frowning the hybrid turned back and bit back a sharp retort as he noticed that it wasn't his twin or anyone older speaking to him. A youngling out here? The crease between his brows deepened as he studied her through the whistling winds. She didn't look like any Zenan he had seen before, but that hair definitely was the color of the ice people. Could it be then? Another hybrid. The thought made him stumble and at the same time the cliffside seemed to explode beneath him as a strong gust dashed through. Cursing softly Kian rolled forward just in time to avoid falling from the edge. The wave of snow that had been caught in the air almost made it seem as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Yet, just a few breaths later he was closer to the girl than before and brushing snow from his cloak. As the winds calmed own around them the dark skinned male, mostly shifter in appearance, stared at the girl with his bi-colored eyes. "You shouldn't be out here. It's rather dangerous to be alone." Anyone else he may have just watched fall to their deaths or better yet just helped them to stumble on their way...but seeing another hybrid? A young girl at that...it reminded him too much of his twin. She was the one person he could never even consider hurting or at least in this case to traumatize. I suppose she's your way of saving me today? Almost in bemusement the hybrid glance up towards the skies. Eventually the fates would have to let him go, but for now such coincidences would keep him tied down.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:41 pm
When the man turned to look, Aaricia started to smile. Then the wind kicked up and the snow slid. Aaricia had been taught well though. Despite her horror, she slapped her hands over her mouth to prevent a shriek that might bring more snow down. The shudder of sadness shook her, and tears started to well up in her eyes.
When the snow moved nearby, she jumped and let out a peep of surprise. Oh! It was him!
Filled with relief, she gave the stranger a large smile. On closer inspection... what was that guy? He looked almost Zenan, but not. Her thoughts were derailed by his statement, and she raised her chin proudly. "I'm learning the paths, so I have ta be out here. I do this all the time." She pointed to the ledge with a stern, parental attitude. "You're the one being dangerous, standin' at the ledge like that."
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 3:35 pm
Don't cry over me, I'm not worth it.
Kian smiled back as an automatic response to the youngilng's own smile, "Worried I was tumbling over?" He joked lightly trying to shake the shadows away from his eyes. He truly had been considering such things again...Always weak Ciaran. He chastised his old self before focusing on the girl, "All the time, hmm?" Squatting down a bit, the taller earthling glanced towards the girl, "Then you must be some serious explorer young lady. Do you plan on taking all of the paths, or do you just enjoy knowing your way around?"
"Me dangerous?" Kian glanced back towards the ledge with a short laugh, "I think it was more of I enjoy testing my fate. I suppose the wind didn't want to let me fly today." He glanced at the girl and frowned slightly, "Does your family know you are out here?" She was a hybrid as well, but he had never seen someone of the like before. Hopefully her family fate wasn't as cursed as his had been.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 5:44 pm
Aaricia pouted slightly. "Yeah, I was." She knew the dangers of falling from these paths. It wasn't a fate she wished on anybody. The village loved their horror stories on the subject.
As the adult came down to her level, she couldn't help grinning. Someone other than mother and her friend who didn't look at her with disgust... Still, the questions about the paths made her blush slightly. "Umm.. both," she murmured. Friendly or not, her plan was a secret. She couldn't tell him.
Her brow knit slightly. Testing fate? "What's fate? Why would you test it?"
Another shift of her eyes to the side.. "Mama's at work. ..She knows I come out sometimes though." Mama might not know exactly how far Aaricia ventured, but that wasn't a big deal, right?
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 9:30 am
He couldn't help but to smile in response to her pout, "Then I'm sorry. If I knew I was going to worry such a cute girl, then I would have behaved myself." Even if they looked completely different, something about the girl made him think of his sister as a youngling. They had that same gaze. At the thought his mouth quirked in a small smirk. No matter how dark life was seeing a youngling like this seemed to make him behave.
"Both?" He raised an eyebrow, "You definitely have some ambitions then to be doing this alone." Kian felt wary that such a youngling was out by herself. Even a pure blood Zenan would have trouble out here, but a hybrid? Anyone who took offense to a child of such nature may find it easy to just lose them in the snows. The thought made his gaze narrow slightly as he glanced around. Thankfully it seemed pretty deserted.
"Fate? It's a hard concept for a child, but..." Kian pursed his lips thoughtfully, "It's like these paths, but no matter which one you take eventually they'll turn into this one that you just can't escape. Even if it's nothing you ever expected that path will be there for you. Some people, like me, are reckless enough to try running on different paths instead of just simply taking the one already laid out. I suppose I prefer to hope that I can chose where I end up instead of always going back to the one already laid out for me." He shrugged, "Some never even realize what that path was, it's simply just the way your life plays out."
"Does she now?" Kian smiled faintly, "I'm sure then that she must worry over you constantly if you venture out so far." At least that was his hope for the child. Any true parent should worry over her safety, "It would be a shame if you were to disappear into the snows leaving her alone and full of worry." He studied the girl thoughtfully, "What if I volunteer to be your companion today? Even the boldest of adventurers should have a companion at times."
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:33 pm
Seemingly satisfied with the man's apology, Aaricia's eyes quickly widened with disbelief at the second part. He thought she was cute? But, he wasn't mama. He wasn't Frik. ...Maybe it was because he looked odd, too? Cheeks already tinted from the cold, she showed her shy appreciation with a bigger smile. "You better behave from now on, then!"
She did have ambitions. She wasn't sure this guy would understand, but she had ambitions indeed. Freedom from people who wouldn't care if she left. Freedom with her mother and her best friend... Yes. Big ambitions, in her world.
As fate was explained, Aaricia's eyes narrowed and her brow knit. Paths that all lead to the same end, no matter what? "Well, fate isn't gonna tell me what to do," she said firmly. "Me and mama gonna do what we have to. ...And she knows I'm careful. She didn't leave me, so I'm not gonna ever leave her. I'm out here for her, too!"
Despite her determination, she couldn't help lighting up as the man offered his assistance. "Mama would be happy if you help." She would enjoy the company as well... "No more testing fate with me though! I'll do what I can, but can't fly if you fall." Her expression was completely serious. She didn't want to see someone tumble over the edge. She wasn't as strong as Frik... She wouldn't be able to lift up someone as big as this guy...
Straightening her back, she stuck out her hand with a polite smile, remembering her manners. "My name's Aaricia."
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 8:36 am
Kian chuckled softly at her reaction, "Yes, yes. No more trying to fly off into the winds today~" Like usual his promises held a key word: today. Gods only knew what the hybrid would be up to the next morning. It was probably the reason that Nerio wanted to get Kian out of Zena. The sooner he was to experience some 'fresh air' away from the snowy mountains, the more likely he may have some change of heart about life.
At least that was the hope.
"Atta girl." Kian smirked as he reached out to ruffle her hair, a habit he had in the past with his own twin. "You keep your momma close then. As long as you love your family, this life has nothing on you." Family, after all, could become the biggest disaster....if ruined. Shadows briefly crossed his gaze before he pulled back to glance around them, "Though I have to be a little jealous of your mama, I'd be so happy to have you around to protect me." Anything to brighten up the little hybrid's day. Kian could remember the odd stares he had once received and for a little girl to be out alone? I don't want to wish anything ill on her, so here's hoping I'm wrong.
"Alright, sounds perfect. Then for today I, Kian, am at your service." He gave a polite, almost playful bow towards the youngling. Scanning around them Kian paused before glancing down towards the little hybrid, "So where to, Aaricia?" His gaze gleamed as he glanced through the snows around them, "I know I came from a path along the ridge, but surely you've already been there....how about there?" Turning he pointed towards what appeared to be a snowy road that disappeared through a grove of knitted trees, "We can explore it a bit before I help you to your home?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:53 am
Giggling, Aaricia shook her head out after the ruffle, reaching up to smooth her bangs back up out of her face. This guy sure was silly. ..Maybe she would be able to find more nice people like this when she escaped with those dear to her?
Of course, Kian's exclamation of wishing he had someone like her around was received with a disbelieving stare. Just as quickly though, it turned into the most delighted expression, little hands pressing to her cheeks with pleasure. Someone.. was jealous of mama for having her around... Mama would love hearing that! And wait until she told Frik!
Kian. Good name for a travel companion! Looking at the indicated path, she looked down at her sketchpad. ..It didn't look like she'd gone there yet! "Let's go!" she approved, strutting confidently toward the trees.
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Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:05 pm
Despite all of the recent darkness there was something about the child's laughter that warmed his heart. It was like a fond memory seeing the hybrid girl laughing. Talisia would have laughed like that once long ago...
Aaricia's reaction made him pause. Was it truly so rare for her to receive praise from anyone? A hybrid's fate is cruel indeed. Kian's gaze shifted ever so slightly before he shook his head. Maybe some optimist would imagine a future with a mix of races, but for now it was what it was. How different life would have been for either of them had they been born full ice instead.
Still a small laugh of amusement escaped him as the girl starting strutting towards the forest. "Aye, capt'. So what are we looking for in particular? Treasures? Monsters to fight? New countries?" Fixing his sash around his waist the mage's hand lingered over his pouch of runes before he moved forward. If anything happened the little one would have him to protect her. That was for certain.
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Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:31 pm
Sticking out her lip, Aaricia looked over her shoulder at the adult with a contemplative expression. Well, he was her companion for the time being. It would surely be rude to hide the point of the quest from him while he was helping.
Her strut slowed a little bit so that she could return to his side, and held up her sketch pad. "I'm making a map. One day, I'm gonna take my mama and my friend, Frik, and I'm gonna take them somewhere else. I wanna take the sneaky paths, because too many townsfolk walk the main ones."
A little sadness entered her expression. "People here don't like me. They like mama, but they treat her bad. ..I know it's because of me. Mama says she loves me too much to care what everyone else says, but I can tell... And Frik gets teased for playing with me..." Blinking away the sadness, she looked up at Kian with firm determination and a hopeful smile. "So, I'm gonna take mama and Frik away from here, so we can all be happy."
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2016 9:40 am
Kian raised an eyebrow at the child's antics. Whatever could be going through the little one's mind now? Did I ask the wrong question? He had thought to play with their imaginations, but it appeared Aaricia had more in mind.
Bending down Kian reached to touch the sketchpad with a faint frown, "So you want to leave Zena?" His gaze flickered around them as he forced a small smile, "That's bold of you, Aaricia. Perhaps then this path will help you. It looks pretty abandoned." So many used the newer trading routes to get in and out of the country. Who knew how long ago this one had been used? Maybe it was just a path created by migrating beasts of the area even. To not want to be seen by the townsfolk....he remembered such disdain himself.
"We'll run away, Tally! Just you wait! I'll take my music and we'll live on the road away from all of these awful people....she'll will never touch us again...maybe we can even find papa's family in Jauhar...wouldn't you want to see it? I'm sure we can do it."
How long ago had he held similar thoughts?
"Aaricia..." Kian's hand raised to poke her nose, "Those people are awful creatures that just don't understand how amazing being unique can be. Your mama is right in holding onto you, she should have no shame about her daughter. And Frik is a smart boy as well. He's found the best playmate of the whole village, the rest must be jealous." He offered a small smile before stretching to stand up, "I'm glad I found you out here. Let's get this map finished so that you can help out your loved ones quickly then. I hear that over the mountains life can be very different."
Moving forward he noted a rather strange rock by some trees, "You see that? It would make a great marker for a path's beginnings..."
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:36 am
Bold? Aaricia watched Kian curiously. He didn't look very pleased. His face seemed... strained. Did he like Zena that much? ..Well, he could have it! She was leaving one day.
Her nose wrinkled as it was poked, giggling softly. And there he went, talking about how everyone else could be jealous of her mama and friend. "I don't want them to be jealous," she pouted, eyes narrowing slightly. "They could be my friends if they let me. Then they could stop bothering mama and Frik." Honestly! Why were they so stubborn? Ducking her head, she did end up showing a little smile. "Frik says the same thing you did..." Maybe the guys were right?
The offer to help finish the map caught her attention again, and she grinned. "Different is what I want," she assured. Turning, she looked to the strange rock and quickly sketched it as a marker on her pad. "Do you know where that one goes?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:43 am
Kian laughed quietly, "I suppose that's a rather nice thing of you to say then." He had once wished friendship, even acquired it for a short time with another boy, but those days were gone. It was best to just use people for what was needed and nothing more, "Perhaps when you leave Zena you can find people like that. Everyone here is just too afraid of change." They had been in these lands alone for so long...was it really that difficult to accept that someone from Zena could love an outsider instead?
"I like this Frik." Kian grinned, "He's got the right ideas." At Aaricia's question the mage shook his head, "I actually don't. Finding out though is the point of our adventure. Let's walk it, okay?" Surely it couldn't go too far and if it did lead onto another path...well that would be convenient for his own sake. Knowing secret paths after all would help one to dissolve into the night should any problems arise.
"I'm actually traveling myself so a lot of this area is new to me." He glanced towards the youngling, "But I'm sure we can figure it out together."
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