Reflection (Solo)

[Fiera]

19 summer 512 It was late afternoon and the tide had long since stilled to a faint murmur. A lone, dark figure sat on the sand, mindlessly tracing delicate patterns in it with a finger. The strangely reflective eyes under the hood of the cloak looked off towards the horizon, where the slowly setting sun cast its last rays for the day. Fiera was thinking. She had been sitting and thinking here since midday, ignoring the sinking sensation in her gut that happened every time she focused on the water. It was the perfect place to reflect; a small, deserted beach, far enough from the docks that she did not need to hear the incessant shouting of sailors that she so disliked. A multitude of topics had occupied her mind during the time, although her understanding of them was little; religion, history, architecture, magic, music and even love. But mostly, she thought about her own past and future. She had planned on leaving Zeltiva after the end of the spring season; perhaps travel north again into Kalea, but now the thought seemed almost unbearable. She loved the sea, despite all of the misfortune it had brought her. She loved watching it. For hours on end, she would sit and watch the waves recede and then splash forward again as if immersed in their own private game. If she were to stay, she could continue taking university courses, maybe working at the Infirmary to help pay for the price. Finding a bond mate seemed foreign to her, for unlike most Kelvics, she had never experienced that sort of loyalty to anyone before. An image came to mind of a young boy, no more than 4 or 5 years of age. She had stood before him, still a kitten, unwilling to bring a dropped toy back into his hand. Her mother had scolded her for that. Still, she was painfully aware that that day would come soon enough. If she was planning to stay in Zeltiva, Fiera would have to work somewhere too, to pay for the expenses of living. Yes, the infirmary would do. Even after a season of lessons, she wasn’t all too confident with patients, but she could start off just doing simple things, maybe. Washing the floors, disinfecting surgical utensils, sorting through herbs - that sort of work. No, maybe not; too boring. Something else maybe? Well, she was best at hunting, but what would her customers say if their meat came with tooth-marks? Anyway, she never liked playing with meat. You kill just enough to satisfy to your hunger and no more. Maybe she could help out with the library. She spent so much time there that all the librarians knew her. And when there wasn’t much work to do, she could read. A smile played on her lips. That was perfect. Books were important, and she could help preserve them. Fiera rose to her feet, and brushed the sand off her clothes, which she quickly slipped off her body. For a moment, she stood still, feeling the cool wind brush against her bare body, then, as if at an afterthought, Fiera shifted.