Sage looked beseechingly at the stranger, hoping they might have an answer that would satisfy Jaz. Sage's flowing, woven robe, light and blue in color, blew in the breeze.
"This one, whoever they are, called to me by oath--an oath shared by bloodkin. I do not know them, but my spirit does."
Sage pulled her brows together and stared at Elk with some confusion. She didn't know what the stranger meant by "bloodkin." There was certainly some unanswered questions about Sage's own lineage, but she didn't know about any mysterious, ageless stranger who could translocate more effectively that she could. Even with Jaz in tow, apparently.
Turning to Jaz, the stranger said, "When I met you, Jaz, just moments ago, I uttered the 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. 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 gestured to themselves and, Sage was beginning to suspect, not just meaning their clothes but their body as well. How utterly strange. What had she done in asking for help? It was standard practice to ask for guidance when harvesting for the dreaming ceremony--no stranger had ever appeared before as a result. But, Sage thought, this is not just any dreaming.
"I intended no binding effect," Sage said, hoping that she could sort things out with Jaz later, if needed. For now, there was a spirit of some kind that needed attending. "If what I have done in asking the spirits for aid has trapped you in any way, may you be free. I only wish freely gifted help."
--
Having listened to Elk and Sage speak, Jaz could hardly make heads or tails of any of it. She wasn't accustomed to feeling so out of the loop.
She tried to formulate an intelligent question. "Did the oath transport us somehow?" Jaz asked Elk, her eyebrows clenched in confusion.
Part 1
Re: Part 1
“I intended no binding effect," said, this new stranger of the blood. "If what I have done in asking the plants spirits for aid has trapped you in any way, may you be free. I only wish freely gifted help.", they said, quietly.
Elk takes a moment to regard this person deeply before looking to Jaz, who speaks after taking a moment to formulate a question, clearly as lost and confused as Elk. "Did the oath transport us somehow?"
“Yes”, they answer quietly -“it most certainly did. I can assure you that I did not intend or expect for this to happen….”
At this point, their confusion is plain to see & Elk is perplexed, stunned, even. What in the Names of the Nine is going on here?? This cannot simply be circumstance. There is much more at work…., they think to themselves, quietly taking a moment to ponder, certain that this is noticed.
”There are things my brain cannot explain that my body knows. My memory has holes & It is particular about what it does and does not remember.”
… struggling to articulate, they pause. What is worth saying? What is worth sharing? I can scarcely remember my own name. they think as they heavily sigh to themselves, brow furrowed.
In this moment, the thickset lines of black and blue decorating their hide begin to glow, faintly, almost in answer to the freedom offered and question asked.
Holding their hands up slightly left and right of their sides, they again speak.: “These markings follow me everywhere - no matter how many times I come back. They are etched into my soul, just as my Faeblood’s the covenant.”, choosing honesty in the company of bloodkin.
“These marks, they answer to you. This is how I know your tribe - how I recognize your blood.”, gesturing to the priestess. “You cannot release me from the oath - that, Jaz, is what transported us both. I do not know why it would’ve transported you with me.”
… thinking for a moment, Elk realizes something, pauses, and speaks.: “Jaz, may I ask you a question?”….
Elk takes a moment to regard this person deeply before looking to Jaz, who speaks after taking a moment to formulate a question, clearly as lost and confused as Elk. "Did the oath transport us somehow?"
“Yes”, they answer quietly -“it most certainly did. I can assure you that I did not intend or expect for this to happen….”
At this point, their confusion is plain to see & Elk is perplexed, stunned, even. What in the Names of the Nine is going on here?? This cannot simply be circumstance. There is much more at work…., they think to themselves, quietly taking a moment to ponder, certain that this is noticed.
”There are things my brain cannot explain that my body knows. My memory has holes & It is particular about what it does and does not remember.”
… struggling to articulate, they pause. What is worth saying? What is worth sharing? I can scarcely remember my own name. they think as they heavily sigh to themselves, brow furrowed.
In this moment, the thickset lines of black and blue decorating their hide begin to glow, faintly, almost in answer to the freedom offered and question asked.
Holding their hands up slightly left and right of their sides, they again speak.: “These markings follow me everywhere - no matter how many times I come back. They are etched into my soul, just as my Faeblood’s the covenant.”, choosing honesty in the company of bloodkin.
“These marks, they answer to you. This is how I know your tribe - how I recognize your blood.”, gesturing to the priestess. “You cannot release me from the oath - that, Jaz, is what transported us both. I do not know why it would’ve transported you with me.”
… thinking for a moment, Elk realizes something, pauses, and speaks.: “Jaz, may I ask you a question?”….
Re: Part 1
“Yes,” the stranger answered quietly, “it most certainly did. I can assure you that I did not intend or expect for this to happen… There are things my brain cannot explain that my body knows. My memory has holes, & it is particular about what it does and does not remember.”
Sage watched as the figure furrows their brow, searching. In the meantime, the marks on their body--blue and black in nature--began to glow, even in the waning light of the day.
“These marks, they answer to you. This is how I know your tribe--how I recognize your blood,” the stranger said, gesturing toward Sage. “You cannot release me from the oath--that, Jaz, is what transported us both. I do not know why it would’ve transported you with me.”
Though the marks across the stranger's skin do call to her and look familiar in a way she cannot understand or describe, Sage's belly curdled while listening to the words spoken. She had no desire to have someone oathbound to her. It was, in fact, the furthest desire from her mind, and she could not for the life of he understand why her actions would have caused this.
Sage sighed heavily, the blood inside her skin suddenly feeling suspect.
She tried to pull her thoughts together, and she had half a mind to attempt to banish the stranger, but... at the end of the day, they had a dreaming to perform, and the world of dreams always worked in mysterious ways. If the spirits of the plants sent this stranger to her when she asked for help, perhaps she should at least hear the being out.
After a moment, the stranger continues, “Jaz, may I ask you a question?"
--
The markings on their skin were glowing. Which didn't make Jaz want to touch them any less.
But their words still sounded like gibberish to Jaz. And none of it made sense. What kind of oath would Sage make by accident? Why would that have transported them? Her head was beginning to hurt.
“Jaz, may I ask you a question?" Elk asked, and Jaz instinctively nodded, stretching her arms behind her back.
Sage watched as the figure furrows their brow, searching. In the meantime, the marks on their body--blue and black in nature--began to glow, even in the waning light of the day.
“These marks, they answer to you. This is how I know your tribe--how I recognize your blood,” the stranger said, gesturing toward Sage. “You cannot release me from the oath--that, Jaz, is what transported us both. I do not know why it would’ve transported you with me.”
Though the marks across the stranger's skin do call to her and look familiar in a way she cannot understand or describe, Sage's belly curdled while listening to the words spoken. She had no desire to have someone oathbound to her. It was, in fact, the furthest desire from her mind, and she could not for the life of he understand why her actions would have caused this.
Sage sighed heavily, the blood inside her skin suddenly feeling suspect.
She tried to pull her thoughts together, and she had half a mind to attempt to banish the stranger, but... at the end of the day, they had a dreaming to perform, and the world of dreams always worked in mysterious ways. If the spirits of the plants sent this stranger to her when she asked for help, perhaps she should at least hear the being out.
After a moment, the stranger continues, “Jaz, may I ask you a question?"
--
The markings on their skin were glowing. Which didn't make Jaz want to touch them any less.
But their words still sounded like gibberish to Jaz. And none of it made sense. What kind of oath would Sage make by accident? Why would that have transported them? Her head was beginning to hurt.
“Jaz, may I ask you a question?" Elk asked, and Jaz instinctively nodded, stretching her arms behind her back.
Re: Part 1
“Jaz, may I ask you a question?" Elk asked, and Jaz nodded, stretching her arms behind her back.
“your people - do they have a special affinity for the elements?”, they ask with care & an attempt at discretion.
“I remember very little, but what I…what my soul recalls is that this only happens when someone is very attached to the land & thus an ancestor of the covenant.” Elk sighs, cocking their head slightly. “My skin, it glows in response to my being oathstruck - it teleported me here and brought you with me, to face this person who I assume is your friend. I suspect this means that there is more to you than meets the eye.”
After asking their question & saying a bit more, Elk notices the uncomfortable expression across Sage’s face. She looks like she’s been rendered ill by the intensity of it all, and in this moment, Elk felt for her.
Elk’s skin begins to change, slightly, growing thicker, small bone points beginning to form atop their skull. The transformation has begun…This is really happening…
“your people - do they have a special affinity for the elements?”, they ask with care & an attempt at discretion.
“I remember very little, but what I…what my soul recalls is that this only happens when someone is very attached to the land & thus an ancestor of the covenant.” Elk sighs, cocking their head slightly. “My skin, it glows in response to my being oathstruck - it teleported me here and brought you with me, to face this person who I assume is your friend. I suspect this means that there is more to you than meets the eye.”
After asking their question & saying a bit more, Elk notices the uncomfortable expression across Sage’s face. She looks like she’s been rendered ill by the intensity of it all, and in this moment, Elk felt for her.
Elk’s skin begins to change, slightly, growing thicker, small bone points beginning to form atop their skull. The transformation has begun…This is really happening…
Re: Part 1
“Your people--do they have a special affinity for the elements?" It was a gentle question, but Jaz looked at Sage, uncomfortable about speaking on behalf of everyone in the tell, if that was, indeed, whom Elk was referring to. Jaz herself had only been there a year. Sage had spent her whole life in the tell, as far as Jaz knew.
But then Elk continued. “I remember very little, but what I… what my soul recalls is that this only happens when someone is very attached to the land & thus an ancestor of the covenant.” Elk sighed, cocking their head. “My skin, it glows in response to my being oathstruck--it teleported me here and brought you with me, to face this person who I assume is your friend. I suspect this means that there is more to you than meets the eye.”
Sage looked more sour than Jaz had perhaps ever seen her, with hard eyes and lips pressed together. Typically, the priestess was more composed and serene, but she looked like she had just tasted a bad fish.
Still, Elk had asked Jaz the question.
"I mean, we tend the land, if that's what you're asking." It was intentionally vague. Jaz didn't exactly feel like spilling her entire life story now... that typically waited until after the first round of sex, at least. Still, she supposed she should give Elk something. "And, yes, this is Sage, one of the priestesses of our tell. I'm staying at the Guest House. We have quite a few travelers coming through, even being on the old road." Jaz paused for a moment, unsure how to help Sage.
"And Sage, this is Elk. We only just met."
--
Sage closed her eyes, trying to listen to Elk's words and make sense of them. They were using concepts that were foreign to her and felt very far away from the nature of her vows. If Elk recognized some kinship in her, she didn't feel it. Not yet. Not as such. But there was an ache in her chest for something. And there was the clarity she felt in her sky mind--clouded now and difficult to access in her attachment to her own confusion--not to mention close company.
She didn't like that Elk didn't have any memory earlier than last week. It meant they were some kind of an orphan in time. A wild card. Possibly a spirit with many repressed emotions, thoughts, and actions only to come to light later. In fact, that was the most likely outcome. Perhaps this person was what the dream was trying to warn them all about. Who could know?
Sage looked sternly at Elk. "There are several in the tell who are fae-touched," she finally said, choosing her words carefully, "but few would take kindly to being recognized as such." Sage stole a furtive look at Jaz, uncertain how much Elk was coming to suspect about her. Then again, Sage herself didn't fully understand Jaz's history.
"While we have shared customs and abide by our vows and traditions, we are known for being accommodating to guests for as long as they care to stay. You'll find the people in the tell to be a diverse group, as such."
Her belly was beginning to unclench, but in the back of her mind, she could not stop thinking, this being has sworn an oath to me. This being has sworn an oath to me, making her ever more eager to resolve their agreement and be done with whatever cosmic arrangement the gods had in store.
((OOC: Watching Sage lose her shit bc this is exactly the thing she tries to avoid with being aromatic is honestly kind of funny.))
But then Elk continued. “I remember very little, but what I… what my soul recalls is that this only happens when someone is very attached to the land & thus an ancestor of the covenant.” Elk sighed, cocking their head. “My skin, it glows in response to my being oathstruck--it teleported me here and brought you with me, to face this person who I assume is your friend. I suspect this means that there is more to you than meets the eye.”
Sage looked more sour than Jaz had perhaps ever seen her, with hard eyes and lips pressed together. Typically, the priestess was more composed and serene, but she looked like she had just tasted a bad fish.
Still, Elk had asked Jaz the question.
"I mean, we tend the land, if that's what you're asking." It was intentionally vague. Jaz didn't exactly feel like spilling her entire life story now... that typically waited until after the first round of sex, at least. Still, she supposed she should give Elk something. "And, yes, this is Sage, one of the priestesses of our tell. I'm staying at the Guest House. We have quite a few travelers coming through, even being on the old road." Jaz paused for a moment, unsure how to help Sage.
"And Sage, this is Elk. We only just met."
--
Sage closed her eyes, trying to listen to Elk's words and make sense of them. They were using concepts that were foreign to her and felt very far away from the nature of her vows. If Elk recognized some kinship in her, she didn't feel it. Not yet. Not as such. But there was an ache in her chest for something. And there was the clarity she felt in her sky mind--clouded now and difficult to access in her attachment to her own confusion--not to mention close company.
She didn't like that Elk didn't have any memory earlier than last week. It meant they were some kind of an orphan in time. A wild card. Possibly a spirit with many repressed emotions, thoughts, and actions only to come to light later. In fact, that was the most likely outcome. Perhaps this person was what the dream was trying to warn them all about. Who could know?
Sage looked sternly at Elk. "There are several in the tell who are fae-touched," she finally said, choosing her words carefully, "but few would take kindly to being recognized as such." Sage stole a furtive look at Jaz, uncertain how much Elk was coming to suspect about her. Then again, Sage herself didn't fully understand Jaz's history.
"While we have shared customs and abide by our vows and traditions, we are known for being accommodating to guests for as long as they care to stay. You'll find the people in the tell to be a diverse group, as such."
Her belly was beginning to unclench, but in the back of her mind, she could not stop thinking, this being has sworn an oath to me. This being has sworn an oath to me, making her ever more eager to resolve their agreement and be done with whatever cosmic arrangement the gods had in store.
((OOC: Watching Sage lose her shit bc this is exactly the thing she tries to avoid with being aromatic is honestly kind of funny.))
Re: Part 1
The priestess looked sour, concerned, with tight lips & discomfort written all over her face.
As Elk takes in the awareness of Jaz’s friend and her discomfort, Jaz answers “I mean, we tend the land, if that's what you're asking." - they notice Jaz choosing to be vague & nods before she continues.: "And, yes, this is Sage, one of the priestesses of our tell. I'm staying at the Guest House. We have quite a few travelers coming through, even being on the old road...And Sage, this is Elk. We only just met."
The wanderer recognizes the name, but says nothing. Instead, they turn to Sage as she responds.: “There are several in the tell who are fae-touched," she offered carefully, "but few would take kindly to being recognized as such.” Sage steals a look at Jaz before continuing.:
"While we have shared customs and abide by our vows and traditions, we are known for being accommodating to guests for as long as they care to stay. You'll find the people in the tell to be a diverse group, as such." As Sage finishes, the unsteady discomfort in her becomes more and more clear to Elk as they weigh her words in peaceful quiet.
“Thank you both for your answers - for humoring me, as it were. Let it be known that to me, being fae-touched is not a curse or a burden - it is an honor, it is a responsibility.
I exist in this world to maintain, manage and keep peace - to hold all things in harmony. When they find themselves in disarray, the Universe conspires and I find myself embodied. If I have been brought here to answer to you, Sage, and to unintentionally abscond with Jaz, circumstances are more dire than any of us presently know.”
As they say these words, their flesh continues to adjust and reorder itself. These tattoos, those leylines upon flesh, they speak to Elk’s mind as they shift subtly under the surface, searching for truth. It’s in this moment that an ancestor of distant memory speaks to Elk & perhaps to this newfound friend of like blood. ”collaborate, Children of the Greenwild. Your time is nigh.” - Elk hisses, drawing in air reflexively as memory cascades and their skin begins to become woody and barklike, if only for a moment….
(OOC: amused by Sage’s discomfort too, as in character the idea of making her uncertain or uncomfortable is practically anathema to the nature of the oathstruck.)
As Elk takes in the awareness of Jaz’s friend and her discomfort, Jaz answers “I mean, we tend the land, if that's what you're asking." - they notice Jaz choosing to be vague & nods before she continues.: "And, yes, this is Sage, one of the priestesses of our tell. I'm staying at the Guest House. We have quite a few travelers coming through, even being on the old road...And Sage, this is Elk. We only just met."
The wanderer recognizes the name, but says nothing. Instead, they turn to Sage as she responds.: “There are several in the tell who are fae-touched," she offered carefully, "but few would take kindly to being recognized as such.” Sage steals a look at Jaz before continuing.:
"While we have shared customs and abide by our vows and traditions, we are known for being accommodating to guests for as long as they care to stay. You'll find the people in the tell to be a diverse group, as such." As Sage finishes, the unsteady discomfort in her becomes more and more clear to Elk as they weigh her words in peaceful quiet.
“Thank you both for your answers - for humoring me, as it were. Let it be known that to me, being fae-touched is not a curse or a burden - it is an honor, it is a responsibility.
I exist in this world to maintain, manage and keep peace - to hold all things in harmony. When they find themselves in disarray, the Universe conspires and I find myself embodied. If I have been brought here to answer to you, Sage, and to unintentionally abscond with Jaz, circumstances are more dire than any of us presently know.”
As they say these words, their flesh continues to adjust and reorder itself. These tattoos, those leylines upon flesh, they speak to Elk’s mind as they shift subtly under the surface, searching for truth. It’s in this moment that an ancestor of distant memory speaks to Elk & perhaps to this newfound friend of like blood. ”collaborate, Children of the Greenwild. Your time is nigh.” - Elk hisses, drawing in air reflexively as memory cascades and their skin begins to become woody and barklike, if only for a moment….
(OOC: amused by Sage’s discomfort too, as in character the idea of making her uncertain or uncomfortable is practically anathema to the nature of the oathstruck.)
Re: Part 1
“Thank you both for your answers--for humoring me, as it were. Let it be known that to me, being fae-touched is not a curse or a burden--it is an honor, it is a responsibility.
"I exist in this world to maintain, manage and keep peace--to hold all things in harmony. When they find themselves in disarray, the Universe conspires, and I find myself embodied. If I have been brought here to answer to you, Sage, and to unintentionally abscond with Jaz, circumstances are more dire than any of us presently know.”
Sage didn't like the sound of that. Not at all. And she didn't want to have anything directly to do with what was depicted in the dream herself. She was only a priestess. She was here to guide and direct, comfort and listen, not to collect beings indebted to her for some purpose she could not yet fathom. And to pull Jaz of all people into all this...
Sage was tired. Her vigil was beginning to catch up to her. She really should have taken more time to rest after the passing, and yet. The dream. Even now, it was with her.
A shifting across Elk's skin shook Sage from her thoughts. As she watched, the lines on their skin move. And then, suddenly, Elk hissed, their skin momentarily becoming rougher like the bark of a tree before smoothing back down into something more recognizable.
Sage was decidedly unsure of her relation to this creature.
Peace, priestess, Sage heard in her mind. Perhaps her own inner voice, perhaps a spirit. It was difficult to tell the difference when she was in company. She took a deep breath.
"You arrived here before I made my request," Sage said, trying to recover and venture forward with more generosity. It is what the gods would want of her. "What has brought you to our tell?"
"I exist in this world to maintain, manage and keep peace--to hold all things in harmony. When they find themselves in disarray, the Universe conspires, and I find myself embodied. If I have been brought here to answer to you, Sage, and to unintentionally abscond with Jaz, circumstances are more dire than any of us presently know.”
Sage didn't like the sound of that. Not at all. And she didn't want to have anything directly to do with what was depicted in the dream herself. She was only a priestess. She was here to guide and direct, comfort and listen, not to collect beings indebted to her for some purpose she could not yet fathom. And to pull Jaz of all people into all this...
Sage was tired. Her vigil was beginning to catch up to her. She really should have taken more time to rest after the passing, and yet. The dream. Even now, it was with her.
A shifting across Elk's skin shook Sage from her thoughts. As she watched, the lines on their skin move. And then, suddenly, Elk hissed, their skin momentarily becoming rougher like the bark of a tree before smoothing back down into something more recognizable.
Sage was decidedly unsure of her relation to this creature.
Peace, priestess, Sage heard in her mind. Perhaps her own inner voice, perhaps a spirit. It was difficult to tell the difference when she was in company. She took a deep breath.
"You arrived here before I made my request," Sage said, trying to recover and venture forward with more generosity. It is what the gods would want of her. "What has brought you to our tell?"
Re: Part 1
Uncertainty on her face, Elk could tell that they were not creating much goodwill with the priestess. She was clearly trying to understand and trust, but having a hell of a time, and who could blame her?
"You arrived here before I made my request," Sage said, graciously, like she was trying to honor her vows and the Gods she knew. "What has brought you to our tell?"
“Last night, I experienced a violent dream - blood, terror, fear, lightning, and ash in the sky. Whatever this is, what I saw laid waste to everything.” the creature said with tears in their eyes, green and gold lines twinkling through the liquid lining their face. “When I woke, I was instructed to come in this direction. Both by ritual and inner voice. This voice bade me to come here, and then later, as I approached the clearing from the woods behind me, I was told I would find friends.
I am hoping that you are each those people, that I might seek clarity, do my work, honor the oath that binds me, and remember who I am.”
They breathed a heavy sigh…”I don’t remember the last time I was called like this, but it wasn’t good….”, and they hoped that Sage & Jaz both could hear the worry and concern in their voice.
Vulnerability was and is unlike them, and yet some hidden instinct within communicated a need to speak true, obfuscating little. As they made this choice, Elk’s barklike skin softened from thickening scales to soft, almost hairless flesh. They appeared younger, somehow, though the thickset inken lines swirling across their skin, began to move in patterns, like smoke and water….
"You arrived here before I made my request," Sage said, graciously, like she was trying to honor her vows and the Gods she knew. "What has brought you to our tell?"
“Last night, I experienced a violent dream - blood, terror, fear, lightning, and ash in the sky. Whatever this is, what I saw laid waste to everything.” the creature said with tears in their eyes, green and gold lines twinkling through the liquid lining their face. “When I woke, I was instructed to come in this direction. Both by ritual and inner voice. This voice bade me to come here, and then later, as I approached the clearing from the woods behind me, I was told I would find friends.
I am hoping that you are each those people, that I might seek clarity, do my work, honor the oath that binds me, and remember who I am.”
They breathed a heavy sigh…”I don’t remember the last time I was called like this, but it wasn’t good….”, and they hoped that Sage & Jaz both could hear the worry and concern in their voice.
Vulnerability was and is unlike them, and yet some hidden instinct within communicated a need to speak true, obfuscating little. As they made this choice, Elk’s barklike skin softened from thickening scales to soft, almost hairless flesh. They appeared younger, somehow, though the thickset inken lines swirling across their skin, began to move in patterns, like smoke and water….
Re: Part 1
Sage nodded as Elk explained their own experience of the dream the priestesses had shared. That much, at least, made sense to her. If Elk was a spirit who had come to be embodied for this purpose, it was right that they would also have experienced the dream.
As they spoke, their skin shifted and settled, their face becoming younger with fewer lines and more softness. What a strange thing, indeed, Sage thought.
"The others who have taken vows will want to meet you," Sage began, not quite ready to explain the collective dreaming ritual to them herself. "Early dark approaches. We should return." Sage looked at Jaz, and a wave of emotion followed, bringing water to Sage's eyes. This was not at all how Sage wanted Jaz to discover her sky mind. But maybe something about this experience would be salvageable. Sage couldn't, after all, control everything. Still, the reality of the situation burned in her chest. She should have invited Jaz into the sect sooner or more seriously. She shouldn't have waited so long.
Thankfully, Jaz seemed oblivious to Sage's near-tears and said, "So, by foot? Or is one of you going to transport me again?"
As they spoke, their skin shifted and settled, their face becoming younger with fewer lines and more softness. What a strange thing, indeed, Sage thought.
"The others who have taken vows will want to meet you," Sage began, not quite ready to explain the collective dreaming ritual to them herself. "Early dark approaches. We should return." Sage looked at Jaz, and a wave of emotion followed, bringing water to Sage's eyes. This was not at all how Sage wanted Jaz to discover her sky mind. But maybe something about this experience would be salvageable. Sage couldn't, after all, control everything. Still, the reality of the situation burned in her chest. She should have invited Jaz into the sect sooner or more seriously. She shouldn't have waited so long.
Thankfully, Jaz seemed oblivious to Sage's near-tears and said, "So, by foot? Or is one of you going to transport me again?"
Re: Part 1
Sage nodded along carefully as Elk spoke, her gaze softening, though concern still lingered on her face. This beast found themselves perplexed at her answer, language and movements. Had they said something wrong?
In Elk’s custom and that of their people, it was considered profoundly rude to hide who you are - did they break another’s custom by being so honest? By being so direct? This concerned them greatly, and yet with what feels to be the weight of the world hanging in the balance, would there be time for nicety? For pleasure? For kindness? For warmth?
Elk shook their head as they tried to refocus upon the task at hand. As their focus returned, Sage began to speak.
“Early dark approaches. We should return." She said as she turned to Jaz, evidently full of emotions she carries and sits with. Elk grew further concerned at this, but reminded themselves that all things must happen in their times.
If only that sentiment soothed the soul….
Jaz spoke up next, mercifully, and they were grateful for the interjection. "So, by foot? Or is one of you going to transport me again?"
In that moment, Elk couldn’t help but laugh and their body language immediately softened. Lines of deep-set black on their skin gave way to green and yellow, twirling and spiraling in response to mirth.
Gods, it’s been so long since they last laughed - this thought brought tears to their eyes, and it took them a moment to respond.
“Sage, Jaz - I would very much like to walk with you on foot, take in the sights, and if you’re willing, I’d love a tour.” They paused, for a moment, before turning back to both of their new companions to utter an apology - “….and I am sorry to have surprised you both. Your culture, your customs - they are each different from my own, and it has been a tremendously long time since anyone last called me in this way.
I am shaken, surprised, and substantially curious to see what these days bring. Shall we?” They ask, gesturing to the road ahead & to the tell.
In Elk’s custom and that of their people, it was considered profoundly rude to hide who you are - did they break another’s custom by being so honest? By being so direct? This concerned them greatly, and yet with what feels to be the weight of the world hanging in the balance, would there be time for nicety? For pleasure? For kindness? For warmth?
Elk shook their head as they tried to refocus upon the task at hand. As their focus returned, Sage began to speak.
“Early dark approaches. We should return." She said as she turned to Jaz, evidently full of emotions she carries and sits with. Elk grew further concerned at this, but reminded themselves that all things must happen in their times.
If only that sentiment soothed the soul….
Jaz spoke up next, mercifully, and they were grateful for the interjection. "So, by foot? Or is one of you going to transport me again?"
In that moment, Elk couldn’t help but laugh and their body language immediately softened. Lines of deep-set black on their skin gave way to green and yellow, twirling and spiraling in response to mirth.
Gods, it’s been so long since they last laughed - this thought brought tears to their eyes, and it took them a moment to respond.
“Sage, Jaz - I would very much like to walk with you on foot, take in the sights, and if you’re willing, I’d love a tour.” They paused, for a moment, before turning back to both of their new companions to utter an apology - “….and I am sorry to have surprised you both. Your culture, your customs - they are each different from my own, and it has been a tremendously long time since anyone last called me in this way.
I am shaken, surprised, and substantially curious to see what these days bring. Shall we?” They ask, gesturing to the road ahead & to the tell.