[Flashback] Duty and Wishes ( Erasmus)

[Adavi Brevissima]

3rd of Winter 508AV

Adavi quickly climbed upwards through the great entrance tunnel of Kalinor. He's hands and feet barely having time to touch stone before being pulling up
and over one another. He had to find his cousin. The boy had been looking for the last hour without any results. Even Desiree was at a lost as to Erasmus' whereabouts as if the young man had turned to smoke on the wind.

"Maybe he left early," Jheverrei had said, his lips turning downward into a disappointed frown. "You know, to get a head start before winter hits. Dam, I was hoping to leave with him too. It's foolish to travel alone."

"No," Adavi had insisted with a childish shake of his head, as if he could command the universe with that single action. "He wouldn't leave yet. It's his birthday! How's he suppose to get his presents?"

"Adavi, there are a great many things more important then presents." His brother had said dismissively, his eyes turning inward to flicker with a strange fire.

The boy had been angry then, the emotion constricting within his throat and stomach. He'd spent a long time puzzling over what Erasmus might like for his birthday. It wasn't fair of his cousin to just leave without telling anyone! Adavi had thought that at least, even if Erasmus didn't talk to anyone else, that he'd at least say goodbye to him. Hadn't they become good friends? Closer then just dots on a family tree? Adavi liked to think so but, maybe Erasmus didn't see it that way. He was older then Adavi by four years after all, an adult now. Maybe Erasmus didn't want to be his friend anymore.

Adavi's pet cockatiel Nessuna squawked irritatedly from within his shirt as the small cloth bag around the boys neck bopped her head. The sudden noise startled Adavi to a brief halt and he murmured an apology before flipping the bag to hang down his back. He had to find his cousin, catch him before Erasmus disappeared into the great forest which surrounded Kalinor. Duty might be his cousin's reason for leaving but, Adavi couldn't let him go without saying goodbye, because if he did that, if no one gave Erasmus another reason to return, duty might not be enough

Hoisting himself out of the tunnel's chasm Adavi reflexively squinted as a rouge breeze blew down the cave carrying bits of grass and grit from the outside world. The last time he'd been outside the air had been warm and pleasant over his skin, but now the boy's flesh prickled as winter brushed past it.

Because of it's great depth within the earth the climate change above Kalinor had little to no effect over its inhabitants. Adavi's clothes were light and thin, crafted for flexibility and ease of climbing not protection from the elements.

Holding his arms cross his chest for warmth the boy existed the tunnel, Nessuna's white head turning to get a better view of this new open world.

Just like the air, the forest was different now then last he'd seen it. Old and brittle it looked, like old bones bleached of their color. For some reason this comforted Adavi. Kalinor was a beautiful city but most of it was dark and gray. To see the world above in a similar state gave the boy confidence that maybe it wasn't as strange and dangerous a place as people would have him believe.

Spotting a humanoid figure off some distance within the trees Adavi gave a call.
"Erasmus!"

[Erasmus]

Cold. Like his soul, the atmosphere held a biting, gnawing chill within the lose grasp of imaginary frost-bitten fingertips. With every breath, the oxygen he slurped from the air felt incased in thousands of winter’s microscopically frozen needles. They sunk into his throat and jabbed through lungs, poisoning his body to make puffs of glacial white smoke upon every exhale. This day marked another anniversary of symenestra life, which also meant the day of a death. Symenestra are born murderers, though a surrogate’s life held the value of dirt once a symenestra child was born. For most, the innate crime was weightless like that. Nevertheless, Erasmus had been born of a symenestra mother. This day marked the death of a good-natured symenestra woman, a symenestra lady he would never know but owe his life to, and today such a thought had been buzzing through his judgment ever since a little colorful yet exasperating hummingbird had first been spotted. He detested the feeling of guilt, but it wasn’t exactly even ‘guilt’ that bothered him. He would never be able to meet his mother, and he was simply curios. What would she think of him, if she were to view her only son this very instant? He’d never truly get an answer. The dead tended to like to stay dead, or else dying wouldn’t be such a fiasco. How selfish of them. Erasmus once had thought winter’s heartless wrath, like a silent guardian, loved him. That he was the child born in a season of snow, malice, and unforgiving weather, of death, decay, and the responsibility to, sometimes, cover the corpses with a sheet of perfectly woven white snow. Snow: the little cover, where winter might sometimes watch as children build snowmen and roll in the fluffy moist blanket, unaware of the disgusting mess underneath their innocent and crisp wonderland. The winter, like a skilled killer, would watch the children play on the blanket of snow; secretly vowing to kill them as they grew older… kill their sprits, cover their bodies in snow come next year, and watch new children play on their unmarked graves. Spring would come, and the blanket would melt, and the decay would rear up new life in its place. Winter was a killing season, a season warning others of the world’s injustice grievances. Nothing grew. Nothing blossomed. Nothing flourished. Sometimes animals slept through this time of year, or migrated to a more sunny and pleasant place. Winter consisted of a raw beauty: the marvel of death. Yes, he had once thought winter’s heartless wrath, like a silent guardian, loved him. On this day, however, he was uncertain. I suppose the whole ‘everything is dead’ scenario matched a particular symenestra appearance with ease, what with the sickly white skin, willowy limbs, dark contrasting veins, and soft-spoken words. Beautiful. They both possessed a deadly loveliness, a somehow inviting aura, an exquisitely venomous, refined manner about them. The ‘spider,’ which usually was a deep dissimilarity to the vibrant colors of the outside forests in Kalinor, blended in quite well when winter decided to join in his play. He drew back his bow without making any sound, his dark scarlet eyes locked on to the diminutive target buzzing around a patch of Cleome. The flowers would soon lose their resilience as winter progressed, pretty little things to look at though. He narrowed his view and held his breath, almost perfectly aliening the arrow… but with the sound of his name being called, the shot was muddled as his hold let the tension of his weapon loose in a startled jolt. The arrow missed the besieged hummingbird and lodged into a tree about a foot too far to the left. The critter zipped away, still alive, healthy, and tired of taking part in a symenestra’s solitary birthday leisure. Rather jaded and perturbed, Erasmus quietly wished the bird’s death to be slow and painful. Perchance the little mocking thing would freeze to death. Yes, that would be wonderful. The fifteen-year-old turned his head towards the sound of disturbance and instantly his sour disposition was put in abeyance. Of the few people Erasmus considered his good friends, there were even fewer he liked to be around, and only one or two he enjoyed conversing with. Adavi was at all times a welcome sight. The young man brought a smile to Erasmus’s face. “Cousin?” He stated in a rather jovial disposition. As he made his way closer he couldn’t help but chuckle at Adavi’s attire, even though he himself was walking around barefoot. He slipped off his coat and held it out to the boy. “It’s not too cold yet, just a little nippy. What are you doing out here?” It was then that he realized he had actually been absent for a substantial amount of hours. Enough to constitute worry, if anyone were to care about his whereabouts in the first place. “I lost track of the time again, didn’t I? I wonder if they all thought I’d been eaten… serves them right for not remembering what day it is.” He joked openly, behavior that many didn’t ever witness in this habitually reclusive individual. Erasmus was fond of his younger cousin, who fascinated his intelligence for sociology and culture. The two relatives, well, they were very different from one another. That’s why Erasmus enjoyed listening to Adavi. His cousin was out of the ordinary, a species all his own in Erasmus’s opinion. The boy had always been pretty smart, but it was something more than wit, something more than childhood innocents or the fact that he was Erasmus’s only living relative by blood. Adavi thought in a different way than most, he saw through a point of view Erasmus would never fully understand. Erasmus liked to think they were fairly close, he liked to think Adavi would be the one to notice his absents when he left for the Harvest. Adavi was like a treasure to his older cousin, a curios specimen that could present a worthy and thoughtful conversation. Despite the age difference, Erasmus viewed Adavi as an equal. Adavi had long ago earned his respect, which isn’t an easy task, to state the blatant truth. The man took notice of the cockatiel and shook his head, knowing he’d soon be seeing allot of the feathery kind while on his ‘expedition.’ With his bow slung over his shoulder, he sighed and nodded towards the arrow still stuck in the bark of a leafless tree. “Do you think wolves practice before they go after a farmer’s sheep? I read a documentary about wolves once, and how as pups they’ll play fight with their littermates to prepare for the trials of later on adulthood. I doubt the little scruffs of fur know what they’re doing… You didn’t think I’d leave, not without saying goodbye, I hope.”

[Adavi Brevissima]

Hearing his cousin's jovial greeting Adavi felt some release of the tension within his chest. The boy imaged if Erasmus had indeed planed to leave without saying good by, that upon getting caught his voice would'nt sound so inviting. Maybe Jheverrei had been wrong after all? His cousin was a secretive person, it made sense Erasmus wouldn't feel the need to proclaim his comings and goings, especially those of the personal sort. Adavi suddenly wondered if he'd unintentionally intruded upon his cousins solidarity? A thought fluttered briefly through his mind of turning back, or hiding before Erasmus spotted him, but the boy shooed it aside. His cousin sounded happy to hear him, not annoyed, and Adavi could always leave if Erasmus began seeing him as such.

Trotting over, his bear feet wisping over pine needle and grass, Adavi's face broke into an open smile.

"I've been looking for you." He said his eyes flicking with interest along the slender bow in Erasmus' hand. His cousin was so cool, Adavi wished someday he too could call himself a bowmen. It was such an elegant weapon, smooth, and proud, bending in a flawless curve like the flow of a powerful current, before snapping with enough force to send arrows speeding into even the thickets of hides. And the best part was, you never had to get within striking distance of your quarry, just one clean shot, then wham! Dead.... Not that Adavi had anything he wanted to kill per say, or that he even particularly relished the thought of hunting. Hunting was dangerous, but more then that, he knew what it felt like to be hunted, to be the pray, it was a horrifying state of existence. Someday the boy knew he'd have to get over that particular emotional response. Maybe then he'd be able to exchange the childish weapon of his slingshot for the elegant maturity of a bow.

The boy shook his head to the offered jacket. "I'm not cold." Adavi stated as if saying it strongly enough would make it true. Erasmus was his cousin, his friend, he didn't want the man treating him like a child, or to seem weak in the older boy's eyes. Adavi already had enough people in his life who babied him and expected little from his existence in return. He didn't want Erasmus to feel the same. The boy wanted a friend, someone who challenged him without malicious intent, hoping he'd succeed and in doing so become a stronger individual because of it.

Adavi let his arms fall, trying and failing to suppress the shiver another gust of wind blew thorough his body.

"They told me you were gone," He accused a perturbed look scrunching the muscles of his lips and eyes as he glared up at his cousin. While Erasmus might be the subject of this glare it was clear he certainly wasn't the cause. No, Adavi wasn't mad or disappointed by his cousins lack of consideration in communicating his whereabouts, the boy expected that. It was the others lack of interest or even worse, causing him think Erasmus had left without saying goodbye that put the boy in a pout.

"But I knew you wouldn't leave on your birthday." Adavi said following up his last sentence, and it seemed more a statement to himself then his cousin. With a little satisfied nod, the boy's sullenness quickly vanished to be replaced by a bright and easy smile. He knew the others had been wrong. No way Erasmus would leave without saying goodbye, but even so he still felt a great relief as his cousin continued supporting this desired reality instead of turning him away.

Erasmus' sudden offhanded comment puzzled Adavi and his brow furrowed a second in thought. If the statement had come from anyone else the boy wouldn't have given it a second glance, assuming the speaker simply let some of his thoughts escape and required no further input on Adavi's part. But Erasmus was different. The boy knew nothing his cousin said was accidental, and because of this such an odd topic deserved at least some sort of response. Honestly though, Adavi knew very little about wolves, or sheep, or farmers for that matter. They didn't have any of those in Kalinor, but as a hunter it made sense Erasmus would think of such things. The boy's eyes roamed between his cousin's bow, the arrow sunk deeply withing a tree then back to Erasmus' face.

"Wolves are hunters too," Adavi shrugged, offering what he could on the subject. "They don't need practice to know sheep are pray and how to kill them, just how to become better at it. Here," He said feeling he'd put enough thought into his answer they could now move onto what Adavi felt was a more important topic. Carefully removing the small silk bag from around his neck and offering it towards Erasmus the boy tampered his face, not wanted to seem over eager or excited. "I brought you a present."

At this distance a sensitive nose would be aware of the subtle finer scents drifting from within the bag. Dark and aromatic were the spices used in Symenestra cooking, and Adavi hoped whatever wonders his cousin encounter in the outside world; either of the beautiful, fascinating, or horrific, that this little bag would remind him of home, and that it was a place worth returning too.

[Erasmus]

Inquisitively, Erasmus noted Adavi’s momentarily relieved expression, and dwelled upon the possibilities one might own to excuse the fact of being so pleased to see a man such as himself. The apparatus of his personal thought-process cherished nothing more than a chance to ponder the shifting and interworking gears of another’s clock-like mind. Erasmus had decided, ever since he knew what the large word meant, that telepathy, the ability to read another’s mind, would suit him extraordinarily well. Another flush of guilt briefly written of his cousin’s face determined nothing but more question. Erasmus was not one to assume, especially in the case of this lad, whom he knew to be quite opinionated at best, but clever and artful just the same. Whether it be the variance in personality traits, appearance, or opinion, both complemented the other with a substance holding the value of gold. When Adavi came closer, breaking into a smile, the corners of the older boy’s lips turned upwards also. As Adavi admired Erasmus’ ramshackle bow, Erasmus admired the fact that Adavi didn’t feel the need for such a distinguishing object. Unlike his older cousin, Adavi valued the lives of other things… animal, human, plant… hummingbird and all. Adavi’s slingshot was a statement of innocence, whereas Erasmus’ weapon was a toy of boredom’s cruel and treacherous cat-and-mouse proceedings. Erasmus liked to be in control, he relished the feeling of power when bringing down something weaker than him, like he controlled the fate of his prey, and could steal something as precious as life itself away with an effortless release of his fist. Adavi, on the other hand, related with everything, as if he could melt into his surroundings and feel the pain of every twig his feet might break. When Erasmus saw envy in Adavi’s gaze, he was both struck with pride and obscene inner disapproval. Surly the younger specimen’s goals did not involve morphing into a mirrored version of his older cousin? What a dead world that would make! As if land grew envious of the ocean’s blueness, and decided to become an ocean as well… what would the world be, then? Unbalanced! A world without substance! A world without people, meaning, and means! In symbolism, Adavi and Erasmus, though altogether an oxymoron, made the world prosper like day, if not for night, would not exist. What would it come down to if there was no balance between right and wrong, land and sea, day and night, life and death? This would create world with no structure, no difference, and no fade between white and black. Erasmus reminded himself of their relation, and the fact of his concrete stubbornness. If Adavi ever adopted one of Erasmus’ traits, he would wish it to be that steadfast refusal to be changed. Without protesting, Erasmus slipped his coat back over his own shoulders. He nodded, accepting Adavi’s decision to be self-sufficient. Adavi would be sure to let him know if he was on the brink of freezing to death, he assured himself. He chuckled teasingly when Adavi shivered, though, pretending to brush sweat off his brow in a sarcastic spin of his coat being almost too snugly warm. No surprise lit up his face when he was told the others though he had left. He probably would depart as discreetly as that… for the goodbye rituals of a gathering few relatives and friends sounded utterly repulsive. He detested being the center of attention, and that simply unnecessary concern would be fake anyhow. His wife would be lost without him for a few days, but then realize she didn’t have to put up with the deathly un-talkative shadow in the corner. She would probably ruin his house with colorful tapestries, rugs, and music. As for the others, they would surely not miss him because he wasn’t exactly a noticeable character in anyone’s lives when he was There. Adavi was the only individual of whom he planned to personally bid a brief farewell. For some unknown reason, Adavi actually genuinely cared. Life did not always have to be the deepest well. Adavi’s answer to the question was very logical; he nodded in response and gratitude. At the gift, he was taken aback by the sincerity in Adavi’s voice. A wide grin broadened Erasmus’ face as he brought the small bag to his nose and inhaled with a blissful, “Mmm.” “You’ve outdone yourself,” he commented, stowing the little treasure safely in a pocket. “I did not anticipate even a visit; let alone any sort of endowment. Thank you, it’s perfect! I’ll be delighted to have a piece of Kalinor cooking when I’m out in the unfamiliar grasps of those odd commoners. I shall owe you many holiday gifts when I get back…. I won’t forget them.” His expression grew serious, his voice assuring Adavi not to fear what he’d said. “I do hope I will not miss too many of your birthdays, nonetheless. I wouldn’t want you growing into a man without me to desperately try salvaging your youth, along with mine as well.” In his eyes a spark of contentment blazed in the flaming color. Nevertheless, however grand this was, it did not interrupt his original thoughts. He wasn’t satisfied with the small conversation they’d shared; he wanted to explore more of his cousin’s reasoning. Erasmus was about to return with his cousin, inside the safety of Kalinor, but he couldn’t bring himself to part with those thoughts just yet. He wasn’t finished here; he wasn’t quite ready to return. “Here,” said the man after a small pause. He took the bow from his shoulder, and like an instructor, placed Adavi’s hands along the weapon’s slender frame, making certain all of Adavi’s fingers were in the exact right places. He slipped an arrow into one of the boy’s hands, gently shifting and guiding Adavi’s arm to pull back and create tension with the string. He moved to aim the arrow into the direction of the tree, the one with his old arrow already decorating the bark. “Everything I intend to do must be accurate as well as precise, it’s a policy of mine… you could say I’m a perfectionist of sorts. Noted: I’m not entirely that much of an expert with a bow. My interests have moved to something more important. Now, Cousin, imagine that tree is a foolish female human’s trust, and the arrow is a snake-charmer’s magic… it is not the same, correct? If you were to, at this very moment, hit the tree with this weapon, it wouldn’t at all give you anything other than a little skill with a bow. You are right in that I, the wolf, can identify my pray. However, how am I supposed to perfect and practice for the harvest, for this new type of hunt? Are we bred with the instinct to connive them into our traps, does it come as naturally as when we instinctively poisoned and murdered our mothers?” His vice grew darker, sinister in sound and quieter in tone. “Furthermore, how am I supposed to tolerate the presence of a disgusting, ugly, unworthy human, when I can barely stand the company of my own wife?” He released the strain of the atmosphere like he would release the energy of a bow, he simply let go. Instead of the arrow flying to hit its mark, Erasmus tenderly removed the weapon, arrow and bow, without launching the attack. With its identical siblings, the arrow slid back into the Quiver. The tree had been abused enough for today. Insinuating this was all just a game, Erasmus smiled again. “I suppose I’ll find out soon enough, but I’ve been wondering lately… about strategies, about the different points of view. I admit I’m slightly nervous… this will be exclusively innovative for me, and if it does not come as a natural talent, how do I know I shall succeed? Of course, I’m not as nervous as I am excited. This new challenge will envelop me in a different world altogether. Think of all I’ll be acquainted with when I return, Adavi! I don’t particularly enjoy the company of children… though perhaps mine will be far better than the rest. If not, Desiree may raise it however she’d like. It will do her good to have a distraction. What is your honest opinion pertaining to the harvest? I like to occasionally believe we are closer than brothers, you and I. We can trust each other with our most dearest of judgments, can we not, Cousin?”

[Poison]

THREAD AWARD!

Skills: Observation 2, Bow 2, Teaching 1
Lores: -
Other: Adavi's Gift

Notes: Bow XP for trying to shoot the mockingbird and teaching Adavi.

It's too bad that Adavi stopped playing the PC. I really enjoyed reading your posts.

Adavi, if you ever decide to start playing again, send me a PM and I'll award you XP as well.