Gwen sat down on one of the benches in the front area of what the locals had begun affectionately calling "The Guest House." She supposed that was, in fact, what it had become, even if her original intention had been to live alone. Turns out, she enjoyed asking wanderers to help in her garden. And so what if they needed a place to stay? She had the room. In fact, she had asked for help adding more rooms and even a second floor onto what was once a small hut. Other people of the tell brought her extra blankets they no longer needed and leftover food, knowing she was good for giving it away. It had only been three years here, and already Gwen had a reputation for hospitality, three auxiliary spaces on the edges of her large, tiered garden, and three bedrooms that she let out to passerby in exchange for gifts or labor. Not to mention her own bedroom--the only other space on the ground floor.
It wasn't a bad life. Entertaining, to say the least.
Gwen sipped her tea as she heard two sets of footsteps clambering down the stairs--one clumsy, the other practiced.
It was early, so they were whispering, though Gwen figured any attentive ears would hear them anyway.
"...I can't believe... that was... what can I..." A man's voice, blissful and confused, as they often were.
A quick moment of silence, followed by a tiny gasp and a giggle.
"Just give a gift to Gwen on the way out. You've already done enough for me." Jaz's voice. She was Gwen's longest term resident and had more than worn out her welcome. It had almost now been a year since Jaz had come into the tell. Still, Gwen could hardly imagine the guest house without her. She'd become a staple, and Gwen was more than a little bit fond.
The man stumbled out into the main room where Gwen could see him. One of the caravanners. He would need to get a move on to catch up with the rest of his troupe. Gwen sipped her tea. The man looked at her and blinked, blushing. Gwen waved him off. She wasn't born yesterday. She knew what sorts of things Jaz got up to.
"You've been so gracious. May your generosity..." the man began to say.
"Save it, friend. You're welcome here," Gwen said quickly, raising her mug to him casually.
The man dug through his bag for a moment and eventually pulled out a small melted glass plate.
"I made this myself. It was my first piece. I hope to make more when I return to Karuna." Gwen nodded and accepted the gift, turning over the smooth green glass in her hands before gently placing it on the table.
"May your generosity know no bounds," Gwen said, finishing the traditional leave-taking he had begun. She nodded at him, pleased. Still, it was also a dismissal, and he took it as such, latching his bag and leaving promptly out the front door.
"Gods be with you!" Jaz said, her voice full of longing. Gwen rolled her eyes at her mug. Jaz was going to be insufferable today. Still, Gwen smiled knowingly.
Sure enough, before the man had even had the chance to close the door fully, Jaz said, "Good gods, he was..." She folded herself dramatically over the railing, and Gwen snorted.
"Dare I ask if he left you gifts?" Gwen asked playfully.
Jaz giggled, and Gwen raised and lowered her eyebrows, shaking her head slightly. Gwen wasn't about to tell Jaz to get a move on with her life. In truth, Gwen didn't actually want the girl to leave. But, maybe it was time for her to learn more skills than seducing any person who happened to walk by. Not that Jaz seemed any worse for the wear. She was practically glowing this morning. Even more than most mornings.
"You're not pregnant, are you?" Gwen asked, faking a stern face.
"Gods, no. I've been taking the herbs you made me. Don't worry."
"Just so long as you help me plant more later," Gwen said.
"Always," Jaz said, a glint in her eyes.
But before either of them could begin to move that direction, the door opened. Gwen raised her head, wondering if the young man had returned.
Instead, one of the village priestesses entered, looking carefully at each of the other two women before closing the door behind her. With measured grace, the priestess sat opposite Gwen. She casually glanced at Gwen's mug. Gwen took the cue and ladled some of the hot water out of the cauldron, adding in herbs she had grown herself--chamomile and lemon balm wrapped in a small piece of tied linen--to make the tea. Gwen handed the mug to the priestess, who took it gratefully and tested out the warmth of the water with a dip of her finger before drinking a small gulp.
Gwen looked over at Jaz, who had come fully down the stairs now and was hovering with a hand on her hip near the edge of the table, curious. Gwen half-smiled up at her, amused. But Gwen soon sobered, looking back at the priestess.
Not wanting to be indelicate, Gwen waited what she thought was an appropriate amount of time before she asked, "Is everything all right, Sage?"
The priestess took another sip of the tea before answering. "Several of us had the dream again." Gwen nodded and looked down at the wooden floor of the house, studying, as she had done many times before, the knots and curvatures of its textures. It calmed her.
"The... explosions? The fire?" Jaz asked cautiously. She'd clearly caught word of them going around. The priestess nodded.
"There were two of us up all night last night holding vigil, and we saw the vision, too. It happened at deepest dark." Gwen nodded. Though she could not exactly remember what she had dreamt last night, she hadn't liked the way her dreams had made her feel upon waking. Like she should tread carefully.
Gwen wanted to ask why the priestess had come here, alone no less--the priestesses frequently enjoyed going about the tell in clusters--but she didn't want to intrude. And, more than that, she wasn't sure she wanted the answer.
Jaz asked the unspoken question. "Is it time for the collective dreaming, then?" She almost sounded excited.
Sage nodded. "We'll be gathering the tell to dream in the meadow late this evening. After I leave here, I'll need to be getting the fires and offerings prepared." Gwen looked down at her mug. It had been quite a few months since a collective dream had occurred, that one because of a crime committed against one of the residents at the edge of town. Gwen didn't like to remember it.
Finally, Gwen finished her tea and stood. "I'll make sure the other guests are made aware. For now, I need to tend the gardens before the heat pulls all the water out of the ground."
She started to open the back door but then shook her head. Where were her manners? Gwen looked at the small pile of tea sachets she had prepared and selected three, bringing them to Sage. "Please. Take these. I grew and fashioned them myself."
Sage looked up at Gwen with both gratitude and sadness. Or was it, perhaps, fear, that sparkled in the young priestess' eyes? Gwen looked away, pressing the tea into the woman's hands.
"Your generosity knows no bounds," the priestess said to Gwen's back as the guest house keeper turned around. Gwen should be pleased--it was a high compliment, especially coming from one who had chosen to dedicate her life to serving what lay beyond. Still, Gwen felt unease in her stomach and promptly left out the back door.
((OOC: T, you are welcome to add in other characters wherever you see fit. They could be other guests in the house or other people in the town. We could move to the dreaming scene (which can be collaborative or otherwise) or we could hang here for a bit and explore possible character interactions. You can determine if your characters already have some rapport with various folx I have mentioned so far, or we could talk about it. Hopefully this is a fun place to start! It was certainly fun to write.))
Part 1
Re: Part 1
Clamours and clatters arising in their mind, a haggard man-shaped entity shuffles and twists and contorts in their bedding, heavy-headed and dripping sweat. Memories and wartorn thoughts have plagued them for many days and many more nights, but this was different. The dreams were fragmented, harsh, full of fire and fear and pain. This was unlike anything this grizzled veteran of wars past and future has ever seen or experienced, and this Dreaming was especially rough and turbulent - even by the standards experienced by one who seldom slept well.
Stirring with a grunt, Elk sits up, shaking their head and looking around in a daze. As the phantoms of the Dreaming depart, their eyes begin to focus and take in the surroundings.
It’s daybreak, the bright morning sun is shining overhead & the bitter cold has lifted. All that’s left of the evening before are ashes of a fire turned to dust in the night, and the vinegar taste of fear and bile clings in their mouth. Elk coughs a few times before reaching for a canteen, fishing it from their pack & taking a quick sip.
Taking a moment to assess, they begin to realize how minimal their provisions are. “Water is running low, and I’m almost out of food. Town is near - maybe a day away at most, so I best pick myself up and head this way. River’s down this direction….Maybe even pick up some berries and harvest some wild mushrooms along the way.” they mutter to themselves with a shudder as they ease to their feet.
Looking down for a moment, they say a quick prayer to acknowledge the earth beneath their feet and the sky overhead, before setting their eyes down on the gently sloping horizon peeking out from between a clearing in the treeline.
Slowly, they begin to walk, taking in the sights and shifting their pack until it’s resting comfortably upon their back.
With every step, they find themselves distracted - they try uncomfortably and unsuccessfully to shake away the bitter portents ringing in their ears and mind from the night before. “What was that about, I wonder? I haven’t had a dream like that since the war.
It’s been years… What are the Gods trying to tell me now?” - the thought rests uneasy in their mind. Something about this felt so real to this wayward creature, and the faeblooded nature within was writhing in turn.
“Whatever this is, it can’t be good”, Elk thinks to themselves, and they make their peace with the next leg of their journey, settling in as they walk towards town.
—
After a time they find themselves approaching a clear, pristine running river & Elk stops to rest for a moment. Birds are signing and chirping overhead, and the fields are lush, full of green wish scattered trees abound.
This one stops to fill their canteen, thanking the spirits of the water for nourishment and hydration. The sorcerer is both older than dirt and somehow young at heart, and they feel the innate thrumbing nature of reality and spirit all around themselves.
They feel the peace of the land, the acceptance of the spirits, and feel the tug on their heart. Within them, something responds “just ahead, there’s a nice person. Go find them.”, and Elk feels heartened and inspired, feeling a tightness in their chest begin to ease. They make their way further still, sipping at their canteen and reflecting on these words they’ve heard without hearing.
As nightfall approaches, they begin to spy a town, just where the little hidden voice has communicated it would be - a flash of inspiration hits, and they hear the words “oh good! You’ve found the place! Our friends are very near!!”…
Stirring with a grunt, Elk sits up, shaking their head and looking around in a daze. As the phantoms of the Dreaming depart, their eyes begin to focus and take in the surroundings.
It’s daybreak, the bright morning sun is shining overhead & the bitter cold has lifted. All that’s left of the evening before are ashes of a fire turned to dust in the night, and the vinegar taste of fear and bile clings in their mouth. Elk coughs a few times before reaching for a canteen, fishing it from their pack & taking a quick sip.
Taking a moment to assess, they begin to realize how minimal their provisions are. “Water is running low, and I’m almost out of food. Town is near - maybe a day away at most, so I best pick myself up and head this way. River’s down this direction….Maybe even pick up some berries and harvest some wild mushrooms along the way.” they mutter to themselves with a shudder as they ease to their feet.
Looking down for a moment, they say a quick prayer to acknowledge the earth beneath their feet and the sky overhead, before setting their eyes down on the gently sloping horizon peeking out from between a clearing in the treeline.
Slowly, they begin to walk, taking in the sights and shifting their pack until it’s resting comfortably upon their back.
With every step, they find themselves distracted - they try uncomfortably and unsuccessfully to shake away the bitter portents ringing in their ears and mind from the night before. “What was that about, I wonder? I haven’t had a dream like that since the war.
It’s been years… What are the Gods trying to tell me now?” - the thought rests uneasy in their mind. Something about this felt so real to this wayward creature, and the faeblooded nature within was writhing in turn.
“Whatever this is, it can’t be good”, Elk thinks to themselves, and they make their peace with the next leg of their journey, settling in as they walk towards town.
—
After a time they find themselves approaching a clear, pristine running river & Elk stops to rest for a moment. Birds are signing and chirping overhead, and the fields are lush, full of green wish scattered trees abound.
This one stops to fill their canteen, thanking the spirits of the water for nourishment and hydration. The sorcerer is both older than dirt and somehow young at heart, and they feel the innate thrumbing nature of reality and spirit all around themselves.
They feel the peace of the land, the acceptance of the spirits, and feel the tug on their heart. Within them, something responds “just ahead, there’s a nice person. Go find them.”, and Elk feels heartened and inspired, feeling a tightness in their chest begin to ease. They make their way further still, sipping at their canteen and reflecting on these words they’ve heard without hearing.
As nightfall approaches, they begin to spy a town, just where the little hidden voice has communicated it would be - a flash of inspiration hits, and they hear the words “oh good! You’ve found the place! Our friends are very near!!”…
Last edited by t.sys on Mon Aug 12, 2024 5:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Part 1
Jaz watched Gwen leave out the back door, headed to the gardens. Exactly as Jaz herself should do. Would do, eventually. It didn’t need to be today. But, for now, Jaz still had a guest. Coming around to the other side of the table, Jaz asked, “What is it you need to prepare for the dreaming?” She thought it was an innocuous enough question.
Sage looked at Jaz and tilted her head curiously in Jaz’s direction. “You could always take vows and find out.” Jaz scoffed a little and turned her head to the side. But eventually, Sage relented and added, “Gathering herbs, mostly. I might have asked from some from Gwen, but…” Sage trailed off, and Jaz didn’t need her to finish the thought. Gwen had already offered the generosity she cared to do for today.
Jaz nodded. “Any guesses on why the dreaming went so wrong last time?” Sage met Jaz’s gaze without fear, Jaz noted. She appreciated that.
“It wasn’t the dreaming that went wrong,” Sage said, correcting her. “But, no, not exactly,” Sage finally said. “Do you?”
Jaz was somehow surprised by the question and moved back from Sage unconsciously. Was Sage suspicious of her? As if.
“I didn’t know he was going to do all that,” Jaz said incredulously. “Just because I had one night with him doesn’t mean he told me everything.” Sage shrugged and sipped her tea. “Besides,” Jaz insisted, “I was there with you all. I couldn’t have untied him.”
“Perhaps the gods did not agree with our decision, then,” Sage said, looking down at the table. Shaking off the thought, she added, “In any case, this dreaming will be about a dream, not the judgment of a specific person. Hopefully it will be more peaceable.”
Jaz somehow doubted that, given the descriptions of the dreams she had heard over the weeks. An uncomfortable silence persisted.
Finally, Jaz couldn’t stand it. “So, herbs, right? Could you use some help gathering them?”
--
After they had breakfasted, Sage and Jaz set out to gather what they needed for the ceremony. It was hot and sometimes difficult work, tromping carefully through the underbrush to find the flowers Sage had told her about, which Jaz had some knowledge of after working with Gwen. The work was worse still because it made more sense for the two of them to split up to cover more ground, leaving Jaz alone with her own thoughts. She tried to focus on the plants, caressing them as instructed before determining which leaves and flowers the plant seemed willing to offer. But, her mind wandered. She wondered what the life of the caravanner would be like from here on out and if he would remember her. She thought about the dreaming. She worried about Gwen.
There was a particular herb that Jaz was having difficulty finding, and Sage, too, indicated that she had not found any yet. They spread further and further out into the hills, looking for it, though still within sight of each other and their colorful baskets.
And, then, in the distance, as the sun had started to dip low in the sky, Jaz saw a grizzled-looking person begin to approach. She stared at them curiously, still a ways off, and wondered why they were traveling alone. They appeared to be approaching the tell—and from an odd angle at that. Not taking the well-worn paths. She waved at them, unsure if they would see her from where she was.
((OOC: We have been looking up native plants to Syria, but we thought it might be nice for you to decide what the more rare but also necessary plant for the ceremony might be. Elk is welcome to bring it to Jaz and decided what it is, if desired. Or we can continue to be vague.))
Sage looked at Jaz and tilted her head curiously in Jaz’s direction. “You could always take vows and find out.” Jaz scoffed a little and turned her head to the side. But eventually, Sage relented and added, “Gathering herbs, mostly. I might have asked from some from Gwen, but…” Sage trailed off, and Jaz didn’t need her to finish the thought. Gwen had already offered the generosity she cared to do for today.
Jaz nodded. “Any guesses on why the dreaming went so wrong last time?” Sage met Jaz’s gaze without fear, Jaz noted. She appreciated that.
“It wasn’t the dreaming that went wrong,” Sage said, correcting her. “But, no, not exactly,” Sage finally said. “Do you?”
Jaz was somehow surprised by the question and moved back from Sage unconsciously. Was Sage suspicious of her? As if.
“I didn’t know he was going to do all that,” Jaz said incredulously. “Just because I had one night with him doesn’t mean he told me everything.” Sage shrugged and sipped her tea. “Besides,” Jaz insisted, “I was there with you all. I couldn’t have untied him.”
“Perhaps the gods did not agree with our decision, then,” Sage said, looking down at the table. Shaking off the thought, she added, “In any case, this dreaming will be about a dream, not the judgment of a specific person. Hopefully it will be more peaceable.”
Jaz somehow doubted that, given the descriptions of the dreams she had heard over the weeks. An uncomfortable silence persisted.
Finally, Jaz couldn’t stand it. “So, herbs, right? Could you use some help gathering them?”
--
After they had breakfasted, Sage and Jaz set out to gather what they needed for the ceremony. It was hot and sometimes difficult work, tromping carefully through the underbrush to find the flowers Sage had told her about, which Jaz had some knowledge of after working with Gwen. The work was worse still because it made more sense for the two of them to split up to cover more ground, leaving Jaz alone with her own thoughts. She tried to focus on the plants, caressing them as instructed before determining which leaves and flowers the plant seemed willing to offer. But, her mind wandered. She wondered what the life of the caravanner would be like from here on out and if he would remember her. She thought about the dreaming. She worried about Gwen.
There was a particular herb that Jaz was having difficulty finding, and Sage, too, indicated that she had not found any yet. They spread further and further out into the hills, looking for it, though still within sight of each other and their colorful baskets.
And, then, in the distance, as the sun had started to dip low in the sky, Jaz saw a grizzled-looking person begin to approach. She stared at them curiously, still a ways off, and wondered why they were traveling alone. They appeared to be approaching the tell—and from an odd angle at that. Not taking the well-worn paths. She waved at them, unsure if they would see her from where she was.
((OOC: We have been looking up native plants to Syria, but we thought it might be nice for you to decide what the more rare but also necessary plant for the ceremony might be. Elk is welcome to bring it to Jaz and decided what it is, if desired. Or we can continue to be vague.))
Re: Part 1
As nightfall approaches, they begin to spy a town, just where the little hidden voice has communicated it would be - a flash of inspiration hits, and they **felt** the words “oh good! You’ve found the place! Our friends are very near!!”…
Hearing & heeding these words, they kneel slightly, touching down quietly whilst surveying the road from an animal’s perspective - “rain”, they mutter, spying ominous clouds ahead & recognizing the signs on the earthen path at their feet. It’s hot, muggy weather - humid, as the skies threaten to open up and lay down their aqueous burdens.
“We’d best gather supplies”, Elk mutters to no one in particular, well aware of the company they keep & its present lack. Taking a deep breath, they begin to walk more gently along the path, taking in the landscape and looking for little blooms & useful flowers.
Spotting Dianthus and a local varietal of yarrow along the path, they again crouch, offering respects to plant and spirit alike before awaiting an answer. Each time the answer was affirmative, and so Elk harvested a small helping of Dianthus stems and flowers, with a handful of leaves for good measure. Likewise, they harvested flowers and stems of Yarrow - healers hands - these two herbs are well known to this one, with myriad uses as healing agents when appropriately tamed and administered. Storing each in their pack, they notice small glittering stones of ivory and purple, glittering beneath each plant. Something within suggests that they gather a handful, and so they again ask for permission, receive a silent affirmation in response & quietly collect the ones that speak most loudly.
“remember, old one, this is a society based around barter. Have things to give and gifts of plenty as is your custom…” the small voice speaks again in the heart and mind. Elk nods in acknowledgement and understanding, themselves coming from a land where it is customary to give service or gifts in exchange for room and board. This, they understand, having once used these gathered materials to create healing opportunities for their hosts.
And so they smile to themselves, feeling accomplished and continue this journey of many small, careful steps to approach the village that’s slowly beginning to take shape before weathered eyes of green & gold.
As they begin to approach the village in the near distance, sounds of life begin to merge and Elk is reminded of what it was to live around people what feels like a lifetime ago. They begin to smile, feeling almost slightly impatient for the journey ahead, curious about what they might find.
Before allowing themselves to finish their trek, however, this tired, slightly ragged looking creature spies another herb… This time, cornflower thistle, an ingredient used so very often for healing, Elk says aloud “oh what a blessing - with these three plants in hand, I will be able to at least six charms...” before asking the Earth for its permission once more.
This time, they feel a slight request. The plant in question is struggling and asking for energy in exchange for having less of itself to support. Elk carefully trims away the pieces that struggle, grafting on healing bits of energy and intent with each step.
In this act of magick, the balance of life and death begins to show itself, and this ancient yet lively creature weaves both into Creation to sustain the lovely blue patch of flowers. Standing and nodding in acknowledgment & gratitude, Elk continues into town, placing one step after the next, tracing steps and landing in a groove-ridge-pattern carved by the Gods of Place - distinct from the paths carved by man.
Raising their eyes to the horizon, they spot a person, perhaps a young woman - she appears to be hard at work gathering materials in the fields adjacent to what is presumably her home. Elk find it fitting that they should not be the only one doing this work in the world, and they think to themselves “perhaps this person is friend shaped? Maybe we might be this lucky…..” - the thought trails off.
As they slowly begin to approach, they raise a hand in greeting, acknowledging the shapely silhouette in the near distance….
(OOC - I’m intentionally choosing herbs that are local, as this feels more appropriate. Also, if we recognize them by name there’s a spell component.))
Hearing & heeding these words, they kneel slightly, touching down quietly whilst surveying the road from an animal’s perspective - “rain”, they mutter, spying ominous clouds ahead & recognizing the signs on the earthen path at their feet. It’s hot, muggy weather - humid, as the skies threaten to open up and lay down their aqueous burdens.
“We’d best gather supplies”, Elk mutters to no one in particular, well aware of the company they keep & its present lack. Taking a deep breath, they begin to walk more gently along the path, taking in the landscape and looking for little blooms & useful flowers.
Spotting Dianthus and a local varietal of yarrow along the path, they again crouch, offering respects to plant and spirit alike before awaiting an answer. Each time the answer was affirmative, and so Elk harvested a small helping of Dianthus stems and flowers, with a handful of leaves for good measure. Likewise, they harvested flowers and stems of Yarrow - healers hands - these two herbs are well known to this one, with myriad uses as healing agents when appropriately tamed and administered. Storing each in their pack, they notice small glittering stones of ivory and purple, glittering beneath each plant. Something within suggests that they gather a handful, and so they again ask for permission, receive a silent affirmation in response & quietly collect the ones that speak most loudly.
“remember, old one, this is a society based around barter. Have things to give and gifts of plenty as is your custom…” the small voice speaks again in the heart and mind. Elk nods in acknowledgement and understanding, themselves coming from a land where it is customary to give service or gifts in exchange for room and board. This, they understand, having once used these gathered materials to create healing opportunities for their hosts.
And so they smile to themselves, feeling accomplished and continue this journey of many small, careful steps to approach the village that’s slowly beginning to take shape before weathered eyes of green & gold.
As they begin to approach the village in the near distance, sounds of life begin to merge and Elk is reminded of what it was to live around people what feels like a lifetime ago. They begin to smile, feeling almost slightly impatient for the journey ahead, curious about what they might find.
Before allowing themselves to finish their trek, however, this tired, slightly ragged looking creature spies another herb… This time, cornflower thistle, an ingredient used so very often for healing, Elk says aloud “oh what a blessing - with these three plants in hand, I will be able to at least six charms...” before asking the Earth for its permission once more.
This time, they feel a slight request. The plant in question is struggling and asking for energy in exchange for having less of itself to support. Elk carefully trims away the pieces that struggle, grafting on healing bits of energy and intent with each step.
In this act of magick, the balance of life and death begins to show itself, and this ancient yet lively creature weaves both into Creation to sustain the lovely blue patch of flowers. Standing and nodding in acknowledgment & gratitude, Elk continues into town, placing one step after the next, tracing steps and landing in a groove-ridge-pattern carved by the Gods of Place - distinct from the paths carved by man.
Raising their eyes to the horizon, they spot a person, perhaps a young woman - she appears to be hard at work gathering materials in the fields adjacent to what is presumably her home. Elk find it fitting that they should not be the only one doing this work in the world, and they think to themselves “perhaps this person is friend shaped? Maybe we might be this lucky…..” - the thought trails off.
As they slowly begin to approach, they raise a hand in greeting, acknowledging the shapely silhouette in the near distance….
(OOC - I’m intentionally choosing herbs that are local, as this feels more appropriate. Also, if we recognize them by name there’s a spell component.))
Re: Part 1
Jaz couldn't help it--she wanted to walk toward the newcomer. They seemed to be heading toward her anyway--may as well meet them and figure out what they were on about. Jaz looked over her shoulder for Sage, who was a distance away but also appeared to have noticed the stranger. She was making her slow way down the hills to come greet the new person as well, it seemed. Still, Jaz was going to get there first.
When the figure was close enough to get a good look at, Jaz found herself hesitating slightly. They were cloaked in tattered garments and certainly looked as though they had spent quite some time in the wilderness. That wasn't uncommon--there were many groups in the hills who were nomads--but it was uncommon to travel alone.
The skin Jaz could see was covered in heavy lines of black and blue, and Jaz found herself wanting to trace the swirling patterns. Jaz couldn't tell how old the stranger was from their face, not that it mattered much to her. Still, she felt some unease in her belly looking into their gold and green eyes, once the stranger was close enough for her to notice their color. She couldn't help wondering when might have been the last time they had bathed.
Jaz took a breath, intending to greet them, but then saw in their hand the exact cornflower thistle Jaz had been looking for. She swallowed.
"Dear stranger, you look like you could use some generosity," she said playfully, her basket braced against one hip. "I'm Jaz." She touched her other hand to each side of her forehead and then underneath each side of her jaw before touching her chin and extending her hand briefly and pulling it back. It was simultaneously a sign of respect, slightly guarded trust, and greeting. She didn't know if the stranger would recognize the gesture, but she enjoyed the light-hearted formality of it anyway.
When the figure was close enough to get a good look at, Jaz found herself hesitating slightly. They were cloaked in tattered garments and certainly looked as though they had spent quite some time in the wilderness. That wasn't uncommon--there were many groups in the hills who were nomads--but it was uncommon to travel alone.
The skin Jaz could see was covered in heavy lines of black and blue, and Jaz found herself wanting to trace the swirling patterns. Jaz couldn't tell how old the stranger was from their face, not that it mattered much to her. Still, she felt some unease in her belly looking into their gold and green eyes, once the stranger was close enough for her to notice their color. She couldn't help wondering when might have been the last time they had bathed.
Jaz took a breath, intending to greet them, but then saw in their hand the exact cornflower thistle Jaz had been looking for. She swallowed.
"Dear stranger, you look like you could use some generosity," she said playfully, her basket braced against one hip. "I'm Jaz." She touched her other hand to each side of her forehead and then underneath each side of her jaw before touching her chin and extending her hand briefly and pulling it back. It was simultaneously a sign of respect, slightly guarded trust, and greeting. She didn't know if the stranger would recognize the gesture, but she enjoyed the light-hearted formality of it anyway.
Re: Part 1
As they slowly begin to approach, they raise a hand in greeting, acknowledging the shapely silhouette in the near distance….
For some reason, they began to approach, this figure becoming more and more feminine in shape as they come down the hill. Elk lowers their hand and continues to walk, carefully studying this person, spying a look of surprise as they at last come in clear distance of one another.
This figure is of a light olive complexion, with eyes that seem to change colors as the light dances across her face. She wears a black cropped shirt, fitted tightly to her body, exposing her midriff. The skirt she wears is asymmetrical, and seems to fit her frame like it was made with love and affection, with a distinct attention to detail. The fit is flattering, inspiring a second look from this one.
This unfamiliar face seems to be looking them up and down, perplexed, and intrigued. From the body language, this person is friendly and means no harm, though it is clear that Elk’s not a face or shape they’ve seen before.
Balancing a basket of herbs on one hip, they speak before Elk has a chance to.
"Dear stranger, you look like you could use some generosity," they said playfully "I'm Jaz.” She follows the greeting with a complicated gesture - perhaps a formal hello? This appeared as a gesture of touching each side of their forehead before touching each side of their chin - they extended a hand and then took it back…. how -curious- & endearing.
Searching their mind from a moment, Elk tries to speak. The words are almost lost on them - who knows how long it’s been since they last spoke to someone? Their memory is fragmented and ill fitting. They don’t quite recall important details about themselves, and it’s challenging at times to make a meaningful introduction, particularly if one has holes in their memory.
Finally, they muster the words to speak…”hello, Jaz, I’m Elk…..I guess you could say that - it’s been quite some time since I was last around someone, and longer still since I last saw one of my own kind….pleased to make your acquaintance.”
For some reason, they began to approach, this figure becoming more and more feminine in shape as they come down the hill. Elk lowers their hand and continues to walk, carefully studying this person, spying a look of surprise as they at last come in clear distance of one another.
This figure is of a light olive complexion, with eyes that seem to change colors as the light dances across her face. She wears a black cropped shirt, fitted tightly to her body, exposing her midriff. The skirt she wears is asymmetrical, and seems to fit her frame like it was made with love and affection, with a distinct attention to detail. The fit is flattering, inspiring a second look from this one.
This unfamiliar face seems to be looking them up and down, perplexed, and intrigued. From the body language, this person is friendly and means no harm, though it is clear that Elk’s not a face or shape they’ve seen before.
Balancing a basket of herbs on one hip, they speak before Elk has a chance to.
"Dear stranger, you look like you could use some generosity," they said playfully "I'm Jaz.” She follows the greeting with a complicated gesture - perhaps a formal hello? This appeared as a gesture of touching each side of their forehead before touching each side of their chin - they extended a hand and then took it back…. how -curious- & endearing.
Searching their mind from a moment, Elk tries to speak. The words are almost lost on them - who knows how long it’s been since they last spoke to someone? Their memory is fragmented and ill fitting. They don’t quite recall important details about themselves, and it’s challenging at times to make a meaningful introduction, particularly if one has holes in their memory.
Finally, they muster the words to speak…”hello, Jaz, I’m Elk…..I guess you could say that - it’s been quite some time since I was last around someone, and longer still since I last saw one of my own kind….pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Re: Part 1
Jaz tilted her head, watching the stranger try to compose words.
Were they all right? Did they understand her at all?
Finally, they responded. ”Hello, Jaz, I’m Elk… I guess you could say that--it’s been quite some time since I was last around someone, and longer still since I last saw one of my own kind…pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Jaz listened to their voice, like pebbles rubbed together. It was interesting to her. Lulling her, even. She found she liked it.
Distracted as she was, she smiled gleefully while parsing their words.
They did understand her, Jaz was certain. And yet, their remark was so strange.
"And yours, guest. Will you be staying in the tell for long?" Jaz asked, curious and excited at this development.
--
Sage appreciated Jaz's company. The priestess thought of the woman as a friend and not like a sister, which felt refreshing. And yet... the longing.
To offer Jaz the opportunity to take vows.
Jaz could always take vows on her own, as some do, in secret, Sage consoled herself. The window on that opportunity would never close for Jaz.
But Sage felt a longing to serve with Jaz, should she ever get the opportunity herself.
These are some of the thoughts that ran through the priestess' mind as she ventured further and further from Jaz as well as the tell. Soon, her mind cleared. She did not have interferences. She was just herself with everything else. No overlap with another human mind.
And then there was something else, a reaching. Another yearning. The one she felt for the divine. When she closed her eyes now, she could feel the rays of that bliss on her face. The dissolution, the fountain of energy. Even now, it was at her back, in her spine.
...that had given her the dream--the vision. While standing vigil.
A flashback.
Attending the bedside of the person who had offered the vows to Sage. Wiping her forehead. Holding her hand. Hearing the rattle of breath that meant not long now. And in the passing, a vision.
Absolute chaos. Fire in every direction. Ground heaved and cratered. The sky utterly black and ash-heavy.
And then it was done, Sage thought as she approached the herbs she had been looking for. Bending to get down on her knees, Sage bowed to the plant and gratitude. Tending to the plant and the soil with love. She felt tingling in her fingers as Sage imagined infusing the plant with care... and waited patiently in offering.
No response. Blankness. Empty.
And the falling sensation. The earth broken open, bleeding metal, belching liquid ash.
Sage jolted, shaking her head with fatigue. She had had many lengthy, emotional nights without much sleep this last period.
Everything? Sage thought. Everything gone? Why? How?
Sage sat up, looked helplessly at the herb, beseechingly. "Is there anything we can do?" Sage said aloud to the plant.
The wind and breeze blew over Sage, and she listened, closing her eyes. A buzzing, a vibration. A flash of metal like a knife. And, in her sky mind, Sage felt the pull and shake of the gods.
We have a visitor.
Sage opened her eyes and saw the stranger immediately, coming out of the canopy and into the fields. Jaz was already on her way to meet them. She would surely welcome them into the tell. Sage squinted, unsure what to make of it and somewhat anxious about Jaz.
Jaz didn't know her sky mind yet. Sage wondered if Jaz would realize just how sacred the being now entering was. Enough to pull, like her, gently on the web of the gods. Or more.
Sage did what she could to indicate interest and curiosity throughout her own section of the air, existing as it did in a large dome high above her. The invisible boundary of her sky mind tangled with the clouds.
Perhaps Jaz would speak to them first in person, but Sage could speak to them on the wind.
Sage felt her heart skip in her chest as she sends a message, imagining a series of vibratory tones and colors passing briefly across the air. "Please. Help us. We intend only kindness."
Emptiness. Blankness. The falling feeling again.
And a voice. They walk the path of the gods.
Sage opened her eyes, her physical form having translated itself slightly in the process. She wasn't in the same place in the field. She was closer. Closer to Jaz. Jaz hadn't noticed.
But there was no doubt that the stranger had.
Sage took a deep breath. She had always known it was possible, being caught out like this. But she thought she had been careful enough. Then again, maybe it would be helpful for another being to know. Maybe they could help her.
Were they all right? Did they understand her at all?
Finally, they responded. ”Hello, Jaz, I’m Elk… I guess you could say that--it’s been quite some time since I was last around someone, and longer still since I last saw one of my own kind…pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Jaz listened to their voice, like pebbles rubbed together. It was interesting to her. Lulling her, even. She found she liked it.
Distracted as she was, she smiled gleefully while parsing their words.
They did understand her, Jaz was certain. And yet, their remark was so strange.
"And yours, guest. Will you be staying in the tell for long?" Jaz asked, curious and excited at this development.
--
Sage appreciated Jaz's company. The priestess thought of the woman as a friend and not like a sister, which felt refreshing. And yet... the longing.
To offer Jaz the opportunity to take vows.
Jaz could always take vows on her own, as some do, in secret, Sage consoled herself. The window on that opportunity would never close for Jaz.
But Sage felt a longing to serve with Jaz, should she ever get the opportunity herself.
These are some of the thoughts that ran through the priestess' mind as she ventured further and further from Jaz as well as the tell. Soon, her mind cleared. She did not have interferences. She was just herself with everything else. No overlap with another human mind.
And then there was something else, a reaching. Another yearning. The one she felt for the divine. When she closed her eyes now, she could feel the rays of that bliss on her face. The dissolution, the fountain of energy. Even now, it was at her back, in her spine.
...that had given her the dream--the vision. While standing vigil.
A flashback.
Attending the bedside of the person who had offered the vows to Sage. Wiping her forehead. Holding her hand. Hearing the rattle of breath that meant not long now. And in the passing, a vision.
Absolute chaos. Fire in every direction. Ground heaved and cratered. The sky utterly black and ash-heavy.
And then it was done, Sage thought as she approached the herbs she had been looking for. Bending to get down on her knees, Sage bowed to the plant and gratitude. Tending to the plant and the soil with love. She felt tingling in her fingers as Sage imagined infusing the plant with care... and waited patiently in offering.
No response. Blankness. Empty.
And the falling sensation. The earth broken open, bleeding metal, belching liquid ash.
Sage jolted, shaking her head with fatigue. She had had many lengthy, emotional nights without much sleep this last period.
Everything? Sage thought. Everything gone? Why? How?
Sage sat up, looked helplessly at the herb, beseechingly. "Is there anything we can do?" Sage said aloud to the plant.
The wind and breeze blew over Sage, and she listened, closing her eyes. A buzzing, a vibration. A flash of metal like a knife. And, in her sky mind, Sage felt the pull and shake of the gods.
We have a visitor.
Sage opened her eyes and saw the stranger immediately, coming out of the canopy and into the fields. Jaz was already on her way to meet them. She would surely welcome them into the tell. Sage squinted, unsure what to make of it and somewhat anxious about Jaz.
Jaz didn't know her sky mind yet. Sage wondered if Jaz would realize just how sacred the being now entering was. Enough to pull, like her, gently on the web of the gods. Or more.
Sage did what she could to indicate interest and curiosity throughout her own section of the air, existing as it did in a large dome high above her. The invisible boundary of her sky mind tangled with the clouds.
Perhaps Jaz would speak to them first in person, but Sage could speak to them on the wind.
Sage felt her heart skip in her chest as she sends a message, imagining a series of vibratory tones and colors passing briefly across the air. "Please. Help us. We intend only kindness."
Emptiness. Blankness. The falling feeling again.
And a voice. They walk the path of the gods.
Sage opened her eyes, her physical form having translated itself slightly in the process. She wasn't in the same place in the field. She was closer. Closer to Jaz. Jaz hadn't noticed.
But there was no doubt that the stranger had.
Sage took a deep breath. She had always known it was possible, being caught out like this. But she thought she had been careful enough. Then again, maybe it would be helpful for another being to know. Maybe they could help her.
Re: Part 1
Finally, they muster the words to speak…”hello, Jaz, I’m Elk…..I guess you could say that - it’s been quite some time since I was last around someone, and longer still since I last saw one of my own kind….pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The words felt wrong as they exited Elk’s mouth - not because they were incorrect, but because this is not the tongue that they were raised to speak. It’s a curious thing, to watch a beast struggle with articulation, not because they cannot speak, but because they must speak in a language, other than their own.
<This too is noticed in the Void. >
Yet curiously, Jaz was grinning gleefully, clearly delight - this was not the expected outcome, for some reason, though Elk could not place it. The instinct and expectation existed, but not the memories of how instincts or expectations came to exist.
Jaz offered the words "And yours, guest. Will you be staying in the tell for long?", asked in curious excitement - and yet, before they could answer, and just as soon as they were prepared to accept this fully engage with this newfound apparently friendly individual who caught them by surprise, Elk felt a twitch - a tingle. A twinge, another instinct.
A flash in the mind of worry, blankness, expectation, and uncertainty. A great sense of wrongful stillness, and in that Void… Something erupted.
In a moment, they were overcome by the nightmare of the evening before. Fire, screams, fear. Blood, death, lightning in the sky. Ash everywhere as the earth below, the Fae, the creatures of the world went silent with a scream. The world torn asunder. Elk’s mind howled, their heart ripped itself in two, and then, as they doubled over, a voice.
“Everything?” Sage thought. ”Everything gone? Why? How?” - a hushed, concerned voice-as-thought arose and Elk became aware that they were being watched by a hitherto unknown & unnoticed third party. Elk had been so focused on Jaz & her assessment that their usual hypervigilance had paused… right up until this psychic touch pierced the veil between worldminds.
Elk turned their head and body in the direction of the voice. Again, it spoke, intense concern bordering on quiet desperation in its internal voice. “Please. Help us. We intend only kindness.” Now, fully aware of the presence, they came to realize that they were honorbound to help. This is why the voice spoke to them earlier. When the one older than the dirt under our very feet is called to in this way, it invokes an old promise…Spirits of the sky, remember & Elk’s soul cried “come! anlala lai diakhanna khorinn!”
In this moment, a ripple appeared in the distance, a shift in space-time. Perhaps the very something Elk was hearing responded to them - in this moment, something had become very much closer than it had been just seconds before & this, they could not ignore.
—
In the space between moments, the very fabric of reality bent. Instinct and memory in the blood acted before Elk could think, form a response to Jaz, or even properly acknowledge her, this newcomer’s plea responded for them.
Jaz and Elk were teleported in an instant all of a sudden, face-to-face with the speaker of this prayer which called so resolutely, so sincerely. Shocked and slightly appalled at the intensity of the response and the fact THAT IT HAD BROUGHT ANOTHER PERSON WITH THEM, Elk turns to his unwitting accompaniment with concern in their voice.: “Jaz, are you alright?”…
Their voice softened as they asked this question, and as curious as they were about the one whose inner voice spoke to them, their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of the person they were deeply surprised to have along for the ride….
((OOC: apologies, Jaz. Thank you for being willing to let me take creative license - I started writing and that portion of the story more or less wrote itself.))
The words felt wrong as they exited Elk’s mouth - not because they were incorrect, but because this is not the tongue that they were raised to speak. It’s a curious thing, to watch a beast struggle with articulation, not because they cannot speak, but because they must speak in a language, other than their own.
<This too is noticed in the Void. >
Yet curiously, Jaz was grinning gleefully, clearly delight - this was not the expected outcome, for some reason, though Elk could not place it. The instinct and expectation existed, but not the memories of how instincts or expectations came to exist.
Jaz offered the words "And yours, guest. Will you be staying in the tell for long?", asked in curious excitement - and yet, before they could answer, and just as soon as they were prepared to accept this fully engage with this newfound apparently friendly individual who caught them by surprise, Elk felt a twitch - a tingle. A twinge, another instinct.
A flash in the mind of worry, blankness, expectation, and uncertainty. A great sense of wrongful stillness, and in that Void… Something erupted.
In a moment, they were overcome by the nightmare of the evening before. Fire, screams, fear. Blood, death, lightning in the sky. Ash everywhere as the earth below, the Fae, the creatures of the world went silent with a scream. The world torn asunder. Elk’s mind howled, their heart ripped itself in two, and then, as they doubled over, a voice.
“Everything?” Sage thought. ”Everything gone? Why? How?” - a hushed, concerned voice-as-thought arose and Elk became aware that they were being watched by a hitherto unknown & unnoticed third party. Elk had been so focused on Jaz & her assessment that their usual hypervigilance had paused… right up until this psychic touch pierced the veil between worldminds.
Elk turned their head and body in the direction of the voice. Again, it spoke, intense concern bordering on quiet desperation in its internal voice. “Please. Help us. We intend only kindness.” Now, fully aware of the presence, they came to realize that they were honorbound to help. This is why the voice spoke to them earlier. When the one older than the dirt under our very feet is called to in this way, it invokes an old promise…Spirits of the sky, remember & Elk’s soul cried “come! anlala lai diakhanna khorinn!”
In this moment, a ripple appeared in the distance, a shift in space-time. Perhaps the very something Elk was hearing responded to them - in this moment, something had become very much closer than it had been just seconds before & this, they could not ignore.
—
In the space between moments, the very fabric of reality bent. Instinct and memory in the blood acted before Elk could think, form a response to Jaz, or even properly acknowledge her, this newcomer’s plea responded for them.
Jaz and Elk were teleported in an instant all of a sudden, face-to-face with the speaker of this prayer which called so resolutely, so sincerely. Shocked and slightly appalled at the intensity of the response and the fact THAT IT HAD BROUGHT ANOTHER PERSON WITH THEM, Elk turns to his unwitting accompaniment with concern in their voice.: “Jaz, are you alright?”…
Their voice softened as they asked this question, and as curious as they were about the one whose inner voice spoke to them, their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of the person they were deeply surprised to have along for the ride….
((OOC: apologies, Jaz. Thank you for being willing to let me take creative license - I started writing and that portion of the story more or less wrote itself.))
Re: Part 1
Sage had only enough time to lament having been transported away from the herb she had been speaking with when Jaz and her stranger were suddenly directly in front of her. They were several arm-widths away, much closer than before.
Jaz immediately bent her knees, catching herself but clearly distressed.
Fair enough, Jaz.
--
Elk's face suddenly became distant, their eyes on something far in the distance, farther than Jaz herself had ever looked. Was it Sage?
Jaz had only time to turn around to check before she was suddenly in a different place.
Wait, what?
Jaz bent her knees even though her gravity or motion had not changed. But the scenery had. She started to get exceedingly dizzy.
"For the love of all hells!" she shouted, cursing, her hands sharply out from her Shoulders. "What was that?" Jaz stared at Elk, furious.
--
Jaz does have a temper, Sage thought.
"Jaz..." Sage started.
Sage was going to need to come out to her, wasn't she?
"Jaz, stop. Wait," Sage said, reaching out in Jaz's direction but not touching her.
Meeting Jaz's gaze, Sage pulled back immediately, almost feeling singed.
Sage closed her eyes and put her hands up gently in surrender, palms facing Jaz. "It's all right. I can explain."
Jaz wheeled on Sage, eyes narrowed.
Sage took a breath. "We each travelled through the sky mind, Jaz," Sage said, deciding quickly that she needed to bare this sacred secret. Jaz had, in fact, just discovered it without any say in the matter. Before she had taken vows. Sage was suddenly devastated and flushed, embarrassed. Completely caught out.
"I travelled first."
--
What in the Hells.
And yet, her heart was beating fast. Something was happening. And Sage was in on it!
Now Jaz was, too.
"We each travelled through the sky mind, Jaz," Sage said. "I travelled first."
Jaz gaped at her, looking from Elk to Sage and back again, her eyes narrowing further. "...Sky mind?" Jaz said, confused.
"Do you two know each other?" Jaz asked. She needed a social anchor, at least.
((OOC: We wanted to give Elk the chance to respond, but Jaz could certainly keep going.))
--
Jaz immediately bent her knees, catching herself but clearly distressed.
Fair enough, Jaz.
--
Elk's face suddenly became distant, their eyes on something far in the distance, farther than Jaz herself had ever looked. Was it Sage?
Jaz had only time to turn around to check before she was suddenly in a different place.
Wait, what?
Jaz bent her knees even though her gravity or motion had not changed. But the scenery had. She started to get exceedingly dizzy.
"For the love of all hells!" she shouted, cursing, her hands sharply out from her Shoulders. "What was that?" Jaz stared at Elk, furious.
--
Jaz does have a temper, Sage thought.
"Jaz..." Sage started.
Sage was going to need to come out to her, wasn't she?
"Jaz, stop. Wait," Sage said, reaching out in Jaz's direction but not touching her.
Meeting Jaz's gaze, Sage pulled back immediately, almost feeling singed.
Sage closed her eyes and put her hands up gently in surrender, palms facing Jaz. "It's all right. I can explain."
Jaz wheeled on Sage, eyes narrowed.
Sage took a breath. "We each travelled through the sky mind, Jaz," Sage said, deciding quickly that she needed to bare this sacred secret. Jaz had, in fact, just discovered it without any say in the matter. Before she had taken vows. Sage was suddenly devastated and flushed, embarrassed. Completely caught out.
"I travelled first."
--
What in the Hells.
And yet, her heart was beating fast. Something was happening. And Sage was in on it!
Now Jaz was, too.
"We each travelled through the sky mind, Jaz," Sage said. "I travelled first."
Jaz gaped at her, looking from Elk to Sage and back again, her eyes narrowing further. "...Sky mind?" Jaz said, confused.
"Do you two know each other?" Jaz asked. She needed a social anchor, at least.
((OOC: We wanted to give Elk the chance to respond, but Jaz could certainly keep going.))
--
Re: Part 1
“Jaz, are you alright?”…
Their voice softened as they asked this question, and as curious as they were about the one whose inner voice spoke to them, their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of the person they were deeply surprised to have along for the ride….
As the scenery changed, Jaz looked around, clearly dazed, with Elk’s face softly watching her own, genuinely concerned and surprised in equal measure.
Jaz shouts “for the love of all hells! - what was that?”, arms outstretched sharply from her shoulders in a clear tone of questioning & anger.
The person who called Elk stepped in, saying “Jaz… Jaz, stop, wait.”, trying to touch her before pulling back, wearing an expression that looks like a wince. “It’s all right, I can explain.”, they said, before Jaz turned and her eyes closed on this person who reminds one of a priestess - they of the faeblood.
As they speak, Elk finds it easy to follow their words - they resounded inside and out, felt within this shell encapsulating the essence. “ we each traveled through the skymind, Jaz. I traveled first…”
Elk could swear that this was a previously unuttered secret held fast & that recent circumstance was the only reason this conversation was being had. The old ritualist recognized some of the signs in the emotions they could read.
Jaz looked stunned, taken aback, gaping at someone who looked to be her friend. Her eyes bouncing from her friend to Elk, before her eyes sharpened & she asked “….sky mind? Do you know each other?” confusion on her face.
Elk looked to Jaz and her friend, for a moment, and paused. Contemplating an answer.
“This one, whoever they are, called to me by oath - an oath shared by bloodkin. I do not know them, but my spirit does.” They began, before pondering for a moment before continuing.
“When I met you, Jaz, just moments ago, I utteredthe phrase “… And longer still, since I last saw one of my own kind…” - it seems the Universe and its builders saw fit to make a fool of me just moments thereafter.”
….. the words ringing in their ears. To speak this phrase and have it so quickly acknowledged by the universe, by the Stars, by the Sea, by the Earth between - perhaps the Old Ones do remember.
“I am, truthfully, just as surprised as you are. I do not remember the last time I was oathstruck. I cannot remember the last time this happened; before today, I did not know this could happen.
My memory is in tatters, much like my clothing. I awoke less than a week ago, wearing this” they say while gesturing to themselves. The gesture implies that they mean more than the clothing they wear…..
Their voice softened as they asked this question, and as curious as they were about the one whose inner voice spoke to them, their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of the person they were deeply surprised to have along for the ride….
As the scenery changed, Jaz looked around, clearly dazed, with Elk’s face softly watching her own, genuinely concerned and surprised in equal measure.
Jaz shouts “for the love of all hells! - what was that?”, arms outstretched sharply from her shoulders in a clear tone of questioning & anger.
The person who called Elk stepped in, saying “Jaz… Jaz, stop, wait.”, trying to touch her before pulling back, wearing an expression that looks like a wince. “It’s all right, I can explain.”, they said, before Jaz turned and her eyes closed on this person who reminds one of a priestess - they of the faeblood.
As they speak, Elk finds it easy to follow their words - they resounded inside and out, felt within this shell encapsulating the essence. “ we each traveled through the skymind, Jaz. I traveled first…”
Elk could swear that this was a previously unuttered secret held fast & that recent circumstance was the only reason this conversation was being had. The old ritualist recognized some of the signs in the emotions they could read.
Jaz looked stunned, taken aback, gaping at someone who looked to be her friend. Her eyes bouncing from her friend to Elk, before her eyes sharpened & she asked “….sky mind? Do you know each other?” confusion on her face.
Elk looked to Jaz and her friend, for a moment, and paused. Contemplating an answer.
“This one, whoever they are, called to me by oath - an oath shared by bloodkin. I do not know them, but my spirit does.” They began, before pondering for a moment before continuing.
“When I met you, Jaz, just moments ago, I utteredthe phrase “… And longer still, since I last saw one of my own kind…” - it seems the Universe and its builders saw fit to make a fool of me just moments thereafter.”
….. the words ringing in their ears. To speak this phrase and have it so quickly acknowledged by the universe, by the Stars, by the Sea, by the Earth between - perhaps the Old Ones do remember.
“I am, truthfully, just as surprised as you are. I do not remember the last time I was oathstruck. I cannot remember the last time this happened; before today, I did not know this could happen.
My memory is in tatters, much like my clothing. I awoke less than a week ago, wearing this” they say while gesturing to themselves. The gesture implies that they mean more than the clothing they wear…..