Flashback The Art of a semi-political mindset (The Enclave)

[Astreia]

"I see you are an aspiring poet." said Astreia simply, immediately seeing this ironic side that contrasted so well with his rough character. She often saw this side to people. Those who feigned wisdom, proving to be foolish when caught off guard. Those who spoke in a mockery of the sensible, silly and childish. Time and time again. Those who took no interest in books or literature, a poet. "Though you, no doubt, would disagree. Perhaps reluctant wordsmith or accidentally eloquent would be a better description."

She paused, her curiosity piqued, "Forgive my momentary lapse of judgement in not asking you your name." It was not a direct question, but he would answer. Not that it would much matter if she did not know his name. Since he could only be Kelvic, it was possible he had changed his name many, many times, and probable that it was not his parents who had picked his original name for him. Astreia knew little of Kelvics and little of the world, but it was common knowledge.

[Farlen]

"Accidentally eloquent would be a much better description, for I have little interest in poetry, now. And I guess you too, since the books you're reading are about the frivolity and one's desire for power, rather than anything truly worth your time. Not that I consider poetry to be one of those thing." he replied, only then realising that it was very rude of him to say that. But before he had any chance to bite his tongue he made the instinctive decision to answer her question. "The name is Farlen. It's a pleasure to meet you Asteria." he paused, raising his hand to his face and bighting on his knuckle, sharp, fang like teeth making little marks in his pale skin. "But... why do you ask about Zeltva?"

[Farlen]

"Accidentally eloquent would be a much better description, for I have little interest in poetry, now. And I guess you too, since the books you're reading are about the frivolity and one's desire for power, rather than anything truly worth your time. Not that I consider poetry to be one of those thing." he replied, only then realising that it was very rude of him to say that. But before he had any chance to bite his tongue he made the instinctive decision to answer her question. "The name is Farlen. It's a pleasure to meet you Asteria." he paused, raising his hand to his face and bighting on his knuckle, sharp, fang like teeth making little marks in his pale skin. "But... why do you ask about Zeltva?"

[Astreia]

Astreia smiled slightly, deciding not to contradict him, but privately thinking that his lack of interest was only due to a lack of exposure and education typical in his race... in most races in fact. She was not going to deny that there were some dull areas of politics but it was important to understand and once that one did, it made so many of the issues of Mizahar so much clearer, even ones that one might think were unrelated to diverse governments and groups.

"The name is Farlen. It's a pleasure to meet you Asteria."

"Astreia." she couldn't resist correcting him, but smiled to show that it didn't matter, "Not Asteria."

Farlen. She turned his name around in her head and decided, against her predictions, that it suited him very well. It sounded simple but she liked the way it rolled off the tongue, and it seemed to ring of the wilderness and somewhere else. Thinking about this and the fact that he had just bitten into his knuckles rather sharply, she almost missed his next question. It took a moment to register.

"I've never been very far outside Wind Reach and Zeltiva is another world.
It is the epitomy of a culturally enlightened city, has an exceptional university, and is a centre of trade in both goods and ideas." She stopped for a moment and bit her lip, not sure if she should say this, "I just feel out of place here in Wind Reach, and I don't want to stay here all my life and never see anything of the world."

[Farlen]

"Astreia. Not Asteria." she said; and he at once grimaced for it was uncommon for him to get a name wrong. Words... maybe, but not names. Names were the foundation of the very substance which made the things they described. Names were like a completely new language, more familiar to him even, than common. She made him nervous.
"I've never been very far outside Wind Reach and Zeltiva is another world.
It is the epitomy of a culturally enlightened city, has an exceptional university, and is a centre of trade in both goods and ideas." She stopped for a moment and bit her lip "I just feel out of place here in Wind Reach, and I don't want to stay here all my life and never see anything of the world." she continued, her voice so melodic in his ears.
For a moment he studied the emotion in her face; alas he spoke "I see you're quite educated about the world, even though your eyes have seen so little of it. Perhaps you should leave Wind Reach. Travel to Zeltiva. Do what your heart tells you to, instead of remaining in a place which makes you unhappy." smiled Farlen.
He wasn't quite sure why the things he said were so forward. It was as if he abandoned the remains of acceptable behaviour and once again stuck his nose unintentionally in other people's business.
"I'm sorry." he added. "It's really sot my place to say."

[Astreia]

Astreia smiled slightly, then frowned. She had always wanted to leave, yearned to go to Zeltiva among other places but had been continuously discouraged by her over-protective Family... and suddenly here was this complete stranger telling her that she should go, that she should do what she wanted. She didn't know what to think.

"I'm sorry. It's really not my place to say." Astreia shook her head with a smile, raising a hand.

"Please. Don't apologise. It's when strange people say that to me that I believe it's true - that I might be heading somewhere with my life, instead of staying in this rut."

She sighed. The truth was that there was a part of her which doubted her own abilites and thought that, even if she had the opportunity, she wouldn't take it. Shaking her head slightly to banish these depressing thoughts, she smiled at Farlen.

[Farlen]

"Then why don't you do it?" he asked so bluntly now. He took a step towards her and looked straight into her large eyes. An expression of 'just do it' within them.

[Astreia]

"Then why don't you do it?" Astreia could not help feeling slightly taken aback at the directness of this question. Composing herself quickly, she considered this and looked up at him pensively for a moment, before looking away quickly.

"I don't know. I just can't. I don't have the time. I..." And what would her father say. He wouldn't let her go willingly and if she just disappeared, he would be distraught. She was his first child and he was the man who, in absence of a mother, had raised her to be who she was. Although true that they had not been on the best terms for the last few years, he still gave her food and shelter that was about that normally given to her caste. She could not be sure that he would fully forgive her if she ever decided to come back.

"And I would have trouble finding a horse."

[Farlen]

"I don't know. I just can't. I don't have the time. I..." she said. Farlen pondered this for a moment . In fact he became slightly annoyed. Her statement went directly against everything he believed in life, for when he wanted something he ju did it. But it would be rude for him to force her to leave... although he was tempted. The desire in her heart to do something he'd have done ever since he was a child,made him sad.
He turned his back and was about to walk away when she added "And I would have trouble finding a horse."
He halted and looked down at his feet, a wide smile across his face. "Forgive me" he said " I forget sometimes the petty inhibitions of a human body." he looked her straight in the eyes. "If you were a Kelvic like me, you would need no horse."

[Astreia]

"I knew you must be a Kelvic." Astreia said with a smile of triumph, momentarily discounting what followed this disclosure. She wondered what animal he was - something feline no doubt, certainly not one of those small ones, a tiger or a cheetah perhaps - something that ran fast.

It took her a moment to realise that he was waiting for her to reply, looking at her earnestly, a smile on his face. She returned his smile.

"Unfortunately, I am not a Kelvic. Half Chaktawe, half Inarta, born in the Eyktol desert and brought up here in Wind Reach. I would definitely need a horse at some point and I wouldn't call it the petty inhibitions of a human body. Inhibitions suggests being restrained or suppressed, which is not the case in this example. It would simply be a physical impossibility for me to get anywhere without a horse. Firstly it would take me a minimum of ninety days plus the time it takes to cross the Suvan Sea, to reach Zeltiva."

She observed him, hoping she had not irritated him in any way and wondering how he would reply.