Completed Red is my favorite color [Eosi please]

[Leo Varniak]

Leo hadn't noticed this before, but there was a pattern to Eosi that he was catching on to with his peripheral vision. She almost stole glances when he wasn't looking, but her gaze was quick to retreat as soon as he probed her with his own. Perhaps something about him made her uncomfortable? And if so, was it Leo himself or the mark from the goddess of fear that had such an effect on her? He had never been very good at interacting with people. He could only wonder about these subtleties, but for the time being he decided to refrain from any more insistent gazing at her, especially near the eyes. Maybe she liked to see unseen.

He shifted his weight to better support himself on his hands. The fact she responded with a single word meant it had to be of great importance to her. To comprehend. "That word speaks of bringing things together, enclosing them, even possessing them." She did strike him as a possessive type in a way, someone who wouldn't let go of what she considered important. She looked like she was perfectly capable of defending her territory, as well. "If comprehension is what you want, I may be able to help you with the first step. All I have is a small fragment of the truth - of what I believe is the truth. It's a brick or two to get you started on your palace. You'll have to do the heavy lifting, however."

He moved his weight forward, lacing his fingers around his knees as he briefly looked at her sideways. Then, his head straightened and he focused his eyes on the archery target some fifty feet ahead. He suspected it would make her feel more at ease, and it also helped him collect his thoughts. "Fire is much more than just a burst of color and heat," he began, slowly, as if telling a tale he knew by heart.

"There are fires that burn with no flame at all that you can see. Likewise, our spirits are burning from our first scream in the cradle to our last breath. As you may know, Ivak encompasses all these domains. What most people don't know - don't want to know, maybe - is that his ability to make the spirit burn is by far the one the world needs the most. Without him, the soul wilts well before the body does. The mind folds on itself and gets lost in pettiness and trivial things. Greed, malice and all the things we commonly call evil stem in no small part from Ivak's absence. That feeling of release, of enlightenment, is truer than any word I can share."

He turned towards her then, but was careful to keep his eyes on her chin. "If your wish is for comprehension, then I believe we should start from that feeling. It's a tidal wave, a blossoming of forgotten potential, and I would like to make it a gift to you, if you'll let me for an instant. It's a loss of control, yes, but one that brings perspective. Enthusiasm - the god within." He said no more, and expected no quick reply to his offer. She seemed the kind of woman who needed to weigh all the options before committing to a choice, after all; but also the type to leave her comfort zone if pressed by a valid reason.

Leo waited calmly for her answer, whatever it may be. There had been a time when he had been afraid to even use this power of his; indeed, at first, untrained, it had caused more destruction than a blazing inferno. Now, however, it was simply the gift of Ivak that he bestowed without ownership. He hoped the god was watching from some corner of Leo's soul, and maybe even approving of his choice.

[Eosi]

The Azenth sat back on his hands, considering her answer. "That word speaks of bringing things together, enclosing them, even possessing them." Eosi certainly hadn’t thought of it that way. To her, it was a term of action. But in lieu of her own personality… She acknowledged she could be possessive – not that she had anything to possess. "If comprehension is what you want, I may be able to help you with the first step. All I have is a small fragment of the truth - of what I believe is the truth. It's a brick or two to get you started on your palace. You'll have to do the heavy lifting, however." That analogy puzzled her at first. Building a palace? It wouldn’t do to jump to conclusions. She remained patient and quite attentive.

Part of the issue was the focus she’d been working to maintain. When only seeing from one view, Eosi quickly became fatigued. Controlling her Invalti could be exhausting. It’d been four years since Syna had blessed her with clairvoyance, and since then she’d worked tirelessly to control it. Initially, it had complicated matters like exercise and simple interactions. Walking had even been complicated. Now the focus came naturally, to a fault. Sometimes she’d forget to relax. Unfurling the first around her mind, a flood of images washed over her. Eosi saw out to the surrounding forest, watching various wildlife flourish in the privacy of the trees. She saw down the path to Riverfall, temporarily deserted. No one would overhear their conversation. Her whole body sank to a new level of relaxation, a taut rubber band having been relaxed. As he continued she massaged her temples, rubbing away some of the tension that’d been stored there.

"Fire is much more than just a burst of color and heat," he sat up, though his eyes were lost in the scenery. ” "There are fires that burn with no flame at all that you can see. Likewise, our spirits are burning from our first scream in the cradle to our last breath. As you may know, Ivak encompasses all these domains.” That much she’d been taught. Layla had been incredibly devout, passing the central ideas of the faith down to her young daughter. ”What most people don't know - don't want to know, maybe - is that his ability to make the spirit burn is by far the one the world needs the most.”

Rapt, she leaned subtly forward. He made the spirit burn? ”Without him, the soul wilts well before the body does. The mind folds on itself and gets lost in pettiness and trivial things. Greed, malice and all the things we commonly call evil stem in no small part from Ivak's absence.” Abruptly, she caught his meaning. The suddenly clarity sent her reeling. People reviled the god of fire. Were his will to go undone and his power to be subverted, the human mind would crumble. Their very race would become vapid, purposeless beasts. Eosi felt a sense of urgency in what Leo said. “That feeling of release, of enlightenment, is truer than any word I can share."

Yes, to share something with the purest form of internal fire. To converse with passion, love, honor, purpose… It was simply was not a thing she’d considered. With sun goddess’ untimely appearance in her life however, that perspective was forcibly altered. Leo turned to look at her, but indirectly. Did her features strike some revulsion in him? Or was he unnerved by the meeting of their eyes? It would be impolite to ask. Eosi had been perceived as ugly before. It would not be the first time. Her face was rather angular, after all.

"If your wish is for comprehension, then I believe we should start from that feeling. It's a tidal wave, a blossoming of forgotten potential, and I would like to make it a gift to you, if you'll let me for an instant.” Take an offer from a complete stranger? Her counterpart had proven with his words everything and yet nothing. Having been marked once before… She knew the power and potential of the Gods. Any form of magic had unanticipated consequences. ”It's a loss of control, yes, but one that brings perspective. Enthusiasm - the god within." With a level gaze, she sank back into the multitude of perspectives that her gnosis granted her. Would she put all her trust in this unknown variable? Watching a squirrel scramble up a tree, she considered it.

He seemed intelligent, thoughtful… Methodical. From her impression of his thus far, he wouldn’t ask such a thing lightly. Perhaps he sensed some innate potential in her. Perhaps he was just seeking a friend. “What might happen in the event that your power fails? Or rather, works too well.” She needed to be aware of the consequences if things were to go awry. There would be no agreement until then. ”I trust what I’ve seen of you.” For one strange reason or another, she did. ”I know firsthand the power of magic. It has its sharp edges, and any misstep can bite.”

[Leo Varniak]

Questions and questions and questions. Leo had seen that coming from the very moment he'd made the offer. What struck him more than anything was how familiar he was with her point of view. There had been a time when he was the one expressing very similar doubts. What will happen? Can this be trusted? How do I know for sure? Will I regret this? In his case, it had been about freeing Ivak. Leo had kept insisting that he would not do so unless he got some form of proof that the god of fire had truly calmed down and was not going to finish destroying the world as soon as he got out of his prison. And it had been Glav Navik - now Sylir - on the other end of the argument, asking him - what if you can't get your proof? What if there's no way to know?

It was strange, being on that side. Leo felt like he had aged a couple centuries since that day in Syliras. How to put this into words suitable for one of Eosi's temperament to digest? He gave it some thought after she finished asking her questions, now looking at her once more with curiosity. "I'm afraid you are the only one who can answer that question," he explained patiently, seemingly not offended in the least by her reservations. "It's your true emotions being released, not mine. I can only bring them forth and multiply them, shatter all the unhealthy restraints people place on their own potential. I have never experienced trouble with anyone who took the power willingly. It is still a state of emotional upheaval, however. Let me tell you about it at its worst."

This was a tale he had only ever consigned to his book. Eosi was the first living being to be told from his very lips. Leo closed his eyes for a moment, as if to remember the details as vividly as he could. "I was sailing to Wind Reach with some companions, when a disease broke out on the ship. The sailors got sick and the healer couldn't do anything to help them. The symptoms suggested that the ailment wasn't anything natural. More likely, someone was purposely spreading disease on board to get to us. It wasn't easy, but I eventually discovered the plague bearer was none other than the healer herself. I confronted her with Ivak's power, trying to get her to confess, but I lacked experience and poured my entire measure of ability into the effort." He stopped there for a long moment, recalling the image as if were right in front of him. When he resumed, his voice was low, little more than a whisper.

"Her overpowering shame washed over me. Faced with the monster she'd become, she released her true emotions. She smiled at me and slit her own throat where she stood."

He was silent for some time, a slight frown on his features, but he looked like he wasn't finished. "I haven't killed anyone with the power ever since, but yes. Because you asked, it is entirely possible to end lives with it, even by accident. Most of the time it's not nearly as dangerous. Since you'd be the one seeking the blessing there should be no danger for you, but again, if you want proof I have none. That's why it's called religion."

He smiled at Eosi, and it came a bit easier to him this time. "You don't have to answer today. I feel this is a bigger step for you than it is for most people. I'm staying at the Sanctuary - the horse breeders - for the time being, and you can find me there if you need time to think it over. Just let me tell you one thing, however. This is Ivak's blessing - our god, as you said - that I'm freely offering you as his proxy. If you refuse it, you may want to rethink what he means to you. What faith means to you." It was blunt, but it needed said. There was a threshold that separated faith from lip service, and Eosi would eventually have to decide which side she wanted as her own.

[Eosi]

Leo’s words were kind, encouraging. "I'm afraid you are the only one who can answer that question." The advice was generic, but falling from his lips it managed to be a comfort. He had a gentle approach that put the young woman at ease, despite her natural reservations. That gentle acceptance was key to a grand deceiver, she’d learned in the past. The gravitation that pulled her toward him actually served to push her away. The more Eosi felt inclined to trust him outright, the less she allowed herself to. "It's your true emotions being released, not mine. I can only bring them forth and multiply them, shatter all the unhealthy restraints people place on their own potential.” Unlocking her true emotions? That did send a slight quiver through her heart. Not of fear, but rather a more subtle sense of apprehension. She knew self-knowledge was the key to self-possession – truly understanding your own flaws. Her flaw was sensitivity. When it came to emotion, she seethed. Feeling roiled beneath her skin, hidden artfully beneath hardness and severity. It would make her incredibly vulnerable. That meant a larger leap of faith than she’d initially anticipated.

“I have never experienced trouble with anyone who took the power willingly. It is still a state of emotional upheaval, however.” Eosi kept very still, only shifting to stretch her legs from their folded position. The muscles had begun to cramp, and the sensation had bordered on distracting. ”Let me tell you about it at its worst," Leo continued. For a moment he shut his eyes, clearly attempting to grasp at a distant memory. "I was sailing to Wind Reach with some companions, when a disease broke out on the ship,” he began. ”The sailors got sick and the healer couldn't do anything to help them. The symptoms suggested that the ailment wasn't anything natural. More likely, someone was purposely spreading disease on board to get to us.”

Though he excluded the detail, there’d be no other reason for someone to hunt him down unless he was in the midst of some important task. Leo might have a target on his back, but it wasn’t entirely visible unless he chose it to be. Or, unless someone knew what to look for. As the Azenth spoke, she felt increasingly out of her depth. She was caught up in some grand tale, some incredibly important mission that she’d never even known of. It was like someone had thrown her into a lake, only asking afterward if she felt like swimming. The whole affair was quite a shock.

“It wasn't easy, but I eventually discovered the plague bearer was none other than the healer herself. I confronted her with Ivak's power, trying to get her to confess, but I lacked experience and poured my entire measure of ability into the effort." A trimmed brow lifted, becoming incredibly engrossed in the retelling. The crux of her question was about to unfold. There was a pause, as Zaital saw it. Eosi saw it too, almost. The unresolved statement hung in the air, until he again spoke and said:

"Her overpowering shame washed over me. Faced with the monster she'd become, she released her true emotions. She smiled at me and slit her own throat where she stood."

It was ghastly, but Eosi was not surprised. Vindication was the prevailing emotion. It was almost out of place, but she couldn’t help but feel it was right for the woman to die. Appropriate. Horrible nonetheless, but appropriate. Still, it could not be an easy weight to bear, knowing you were responsible for someone’s demise. Especially given the redemption that had been possible in that misguided soul. Feeling somewhat abashed for that judgement, the Inarta pursed her lips, then sighed.

"I haven't killed anyone with the power ever since, but yes. Because you asked, it is entirely possible to end lives with it, even by accident.” There was a small respite to her worries. “Most of the time it's not nearly as dangerous. Since you'd be the one seeking the blessing there should be no danger for you, but again, if you want proof I have none. That's why it's called religion." Eosi gave a wry little snort. Yes, faith was belief with lack of evidence. But she had evidence already - a little sun branded on the back of her neck. She’d already been around that block and therefore was unphased by his comment. The overall belief aspect was a non-issue.

When Leo smiled, it made her happy. Inexplicably. If for nothing else, Eosi wanted to see him again. It’d been so long since she’d had a real true friend. Her years in Zetiva yielded nothing but rivalries. Those seeds had been planted in rocky, academic soil. This was different. He seemed to like her. Maybe with time he might even care. "You don't have to answer today. I feel this is a bigger step for you than it is for most people. I'm staying at the Sanctuary - the horse breeders - for the time being, and you can find me there if you need time to think it over.”

“Just let me tell you one thing, however. This is Ivak's blessing - our god, as you said - that I'm freely offering you as his proxy. If you refuse it, you may want to rethink what he means to you. What faith means to you." To that, she nodded seriously. Of course he’d add that in – anyone who had dishonesty in their heart would suffer for it. What Leo had yet to discover was her deep love for their deity. Her heart swelled with adoration when she would pray. To see him tangibly would set her to tears. It would be an incredible honor to be presented with.

But no, she didn’t want to disengage from the dark-eyed boy who’d just bared all to her. Mute, she stood and stretched for a moment. Many of her characteristics were incredibly feline, an attribute of which she was rather aware. When satisfactorily limber, she smiled down at the seated man. ”Would you walk with me?” Her tone was mild. He was tired, she knew… But Eosi was a woman of action and momentum. Sitting for too long became frustrating. That and the creeping shade of the trees traveled with the passage of time. It was uncomfortable for her to be out of the sun’s light.

”I will consent,” she expressed while she waited. ”But first I would have your company, know you better. Ivak has my faith utterly,” she explained, the breeze tousling her mane of hair. ”But you as his proxy is a variable of which I am not yet entirely comfortable. I have enjoyed your company. Perhaps,” the bold assumption made her shudder internally, ”we could become friends.” It was not so much a question, but a statement. Eosi knew the potential on her end. It was now wholly up to him.

[Leo Varniak]

There was no comment on his story, which actually came as a mild surprise to Leo. Maybe she didn't believe it, even though stranger things had happened in his life. Maybe she had decided to keep her opinions to herself. Maybe she was merely biding her time, only to share her opinion when he least expected it. Certain truths took time getting used to. Instant replies would be tinged with trivial considerations, and Eosi didn't strike him as the type to waste her breath on those.

He wasn't sure how much of his speech had struck a chord with the woman, but he hoped it would help regardless. Hearing himself talk always made him feel strange, and he had already spoke more than he usually did on a first meeting. Nor did he consider himself a teacher or mentor of any sort; he was simply taking a shot at it with the modicum of common sense he possessed. His intentions were sincere, but his personality often got in the way. It was clear to him that Eosi held potential, both as a force in the service of Ivak and as a human being. He wished he had met her earlier. Maybe things would have been a little different and some mistakes could have been prevented.

She got back on her feet with catlike agility, and for an instant Leo suspected she really was going to take him on his offer to think it over. It didn't worry him too much; he knew she would be back, if nothing else because she would hate to leave things unfinished between them. They both seemed to abhor loose ends. He looked up at her, sunlight framing her fiery hair. Throughout his stay in wintry Wind Reach, he'd never seen hair like hers being touched by true sunbeams. He could only compare it to a match being lit; how very fitting. He wondered idly what colors it would take to put it on canvas.

He studied her expression carefully as she proposed a walk. He had been getting some rest, but the prospect of walking gave him no discomfort. He nodded and scrambled on his feet with nowhere near the same grace, but he got the job done efficiently. She explained how she needed to know him better before she could trust him with that kind of power over her. Then she ventured as far as suggesting they might become friends. It wasn't a word Leo had often heard associated with his name. Even more peculiar was the nature of Eosi's statement. Most people just let such things happen without the need to put it on a to-do list. Then again, Leo's experience in the field was sorely lacking. How to respond?

He took a single step forward, as if building a little momentum, but letting her choose in what direction - for all the world was the same to him. "I will walk with you, yes. How many steps in each other's company does it take, in your opinion, for two strangers to become friends?" There was just the slightest indication of teasing in his voice. "I know I would prefer an egalitarian relationship. I am no sage or teacher, just a man who's been shaped into a force." He turned to look at her as they moved. "I'd like to know more about you, as well. Will you answer a question of mine for each one I answer of yours?" He suspected - if he was starting to get a feel for her way of thinking - that she would find the proposition agreeable. A simple idea, fair and devoid of useless ornamentation. Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.

A sudden thought caused him to bit on his lower lip for an instant. "There's something you should know if you ever plan on getting closer to me than just a conversation out in the open. It won't be without its risks. That story I told you before, it's more of a rule than an exception. I have powerful enemies - more so than the average Azenth. Is it a risk worth taking for Leo Zaital, I wonder?" He wasn't trying to scare her away, but he wouldn't let her get any closer to him without warning her about the consequences. He simply wasn't going to have any more innocent blood staining his conscience. Gods knew there was plenty of that already.

[Eosi]

A gentle breeze played across her features, curbing the otherwise unmolested heat of the sun. Inhaling deeply through her nose, the young woman began to gather herself. Eosi knew she’d have to let her guard down in order to truly appreciate Leo. Like tasting a fine wine, she’d sampled the fragrance. The ultimate test then would be to drink. That carefully maintained wall she’d erected slowly came down, and the tight smile she’d previously worn deepened into a softer, more earnest expression. The way he looked up at her, still folded on the ground was intriguing. He wore a mask of curiosity it seemed, or perhaps even admiration. It was hard to tell. She realized that the previous assessment of her ugliness could be attributed more toward intimidation. With time, his opinion would reveal itself.

Leo clambered to his feet in an ungainly sort of fashion. It seemed he’d approved of the suggestion, as his stride fell in beside hers. "I will walk with you, yes. How many steps in each other's company does it take, in your opinion, for two strangers to become friends?" His dry sense of humor sent her to chuckling. After a contemplative sort of moment, she replied. ”Well, I’d say it depends on the strangers.” Her voice was vibrant, colored with humor. ”If our walk is measured with easy laughter as opposed to steps taken, I’d say not long at all.” It was sort of a philosophical answer, but also an indication that she was not as rigid as he might have guessed. Eosi hid a great deal of her easygoing attitude behind formality. It served to weed out the insincere. He was clearly honest to a fault, from how much he’d just revealed.

More seriously, he continued. "I know I would prefer an egalitarian relationship. I am no sage or teacher, just a man who's been shaped into a force." He turned his face toward hers as they moved down the narrow path. "I'd like to know more about you, as well. Will you answer a question of mine for each one I answer of yours?" His proposition seemed another small jest almost - a subtle observation on her rather structured mode of interaction. She shot him an arch look. ”Sounds fair,” she replied ironically. He seemed to understand that facet of her quite well already. It would please her to see this sudden shift throw him for a loop.

”I apologize if I come off as close-mouthed,” she said sincerely. ”It stems more or less from politeness. In conjunction with the amazement of this rather unlikely turn of events, you might say I’ve been stunned into silence.” Another amused little laugh. ”I too, favor a balanced sort of partnership. I fear no man for his power, but rather I respect him.” That statement was altogether too true. Eosi never felt belittled by intelligence. It was something to aspire to, not become resentful of. Power was much the same.

He bit his lip, and the gesture was very attractive. His indecision became very apparent. "There's something you should know if you ever plan on getting closer to me than just a conversation out in the open. It won't be without its risks.” A warning. He must have hurt someone like her in the past. “That story I told you before, it's more of a rule than an exception. I have powerful enemies - more so than the average Azenth. Is it a risk worth taking for Leo Zaital, I wonder?"

”It’s worth taking for you.” Her response was surprisingly immediate. ”I said I fear no man for his power. I do not fear the consequence of following my heart and I never will.” It rang with potency. The sentence rolled off her lips like a mission statement, for it was truer than anything she’d revealed before. ”It’s not often that someone can make me laugh, at any rate.” The qualifier would hopefully re-direct the suddenly dark path toward a lighter destination. ”My first question would be..” She trailed off in mock reflection. ”What is your favorite color?” It was intended to be satirical, and quickly she shook her head. ”I do desire to know how you developed such a relationship with Ivak. I’ve only met one celestial being and it brought me unimaginable joy. I feel as if my very heart would burst.” Her eyes were wistful as they moved, on amongst the glorious rays of the sun.

[Leo Varniak]

The subtle transformation Eosi had undergone since getting on the move surprised him just like she had predicted it would. She was gradually shedding the sharpest part of her edge and revealing her moods to be much more nuanced than he'd given her credit for. As they walked, he wondered about the purpose of their meeting. He wouldn't have been shocked if it, too, had been engineered by the higher powers. Nothing about it rang with happenstance. There weren't many people who felt comfortable around Leo, and fewer still he felt comfortable around.

"It is quite peculiar, actually," he mused aloud in varying degrees of seriousness, "when I speak to most people, laughing is the very last thing on their minds. It's refreshing, really, but something of a conundrum. A logician would point out that either this makes you strange, or it makes everyone else strange, no third choice." A short pause. "I always thought they did look a little strange." He took the time to breathe in the early winter air of Cyphrus. There were smells in it that he hadn't noticed before this meeting, even though it was most assuredly the same air. It was a nice day to be alive. He wished there could be more like this.

He gently waved away her apologies, indicating that none were required. "No need to apologize, Eosi. You have only just met me; it is wise to be polite and even cautious. Those who give away all of themselves, too fast, place themselves at terrible risk in this world." Leo knew full well the feeling of having to watch over one's shoulder constantly. There had been a point in Syliras when he only could go out at night in fear of Rhysol's agents. "Perhaps, when caution is no longer necessary, it will mean the battle is done and the war is won. But I don't think it will happen in our lifetimes."

He said this and his eyes meant every last word, but when she answered that the risk was worth taking for him, he was left momentarily speechless. He hadn't considered that kind of answer. In a way, he might have feared a trap being set up by his worst enemy, had he been capable of fear. It almost sounded too soothing, too reassuring to be true, and he had witnessed the manipulative abilities of his opponents once before. One look at Eosi, however, and all doubt evaporated like snow in the sun. Gods, but she meant it. Was her purpose here to show him what trust was like and all the other things he'd never known? It was almost dangerous in its own right. Almost deadly.

"I am honored," he said simply, and by the way he fidgeted it was clear she had struck him somewhere he wasn't expecting.

He cleared his throat and proceeded to answer the question, back on more familiar ground. "Red," he announced, letting the word ring in the air between them, before making it clear he was actually replying to both inquiries. "Red is the strongest memory from my childhood. I was maybe five when I started dreaming of the fire. I used to have this recurring dream of the flames swallowing me, talking to me in crackling voices, but I never seemed to make out their words. Later I found out it had something to do with my bloodline. The Zaitals are unique even among the other Azenth in that we actually share Ivak's blood, if only a little. We descend from the son he sired from Queen Kova of Alahea, and through this link he whispered to me from my early childhood. What he was teaching me, I did not know until the seal in my mind cracked open. It was magic. Reimancy, and the wielding of fire." He sought Eosi's eyes once more here, discreetly, hoping she would hold his gaze this time.

"It all clicked together in my time of need when I received my first mark... but if we go down that route the tale is bound to get darker again." He'd rather wait. It was a remarkably good day and could stay that way a little longer. There was a twinkle of curiosity in his eye as he asked a question of his own. "Looking at you, your hair, the way you move, your hands holding that bow, it truly screams Inarta. Most people here have never even heard of Wind Reach but you didn't blink at the name when I mentioned it. Yet I know for sure you can't be Inarta and know of Ivak; their minds cannot contain the god of fire for very long. It's a... very significant thing about them. Will you cast your sunlight on this riddle for me?" There was keen interest as he regarded her with a polite, but appraising gaze. The Inarta and their attitude to life had left a deep impression on Leo, who would never be like them. He saw it all over again in Eosi's graceful motions on the grass and felt honest sorrow at leaving behind their city in chaos.

[Eosi]

It had turned out to be quite a nice day, despite the brief interruption earlier on. Leo’s untimely appearance in her life seemed like some mysterious blessing, one that simply could not be incidental. Eosi wondered at what scheme had brought them together in such an immediate way, but she knew better than to read too deeply into it. Whatever path they were meant to walk together would be revealed in time. For the moment however, she really was enjoying herself. The Azenth seemed relaxed, even happy in her presence. Especially after she’d let her guard down. He even seemed surprised. That of course, she’d half-expected. The woman knew how repellent her sharp edges could be. That was the purpose of self-knowledge.

"It is quite peculiar, actually," he reflected, "when I speak to most people, laughing is the very last thing on their minds.” That was certainly true judging from the grim way he’d approached her. Leo had come into the situation half expecting her to shoot him, now that she knew his secret. If he was truly that cagey all the time, then it was easy to assume how others reacted to him. ”It's refreshing, really, but something of a conundrum. A logician would point out that either this makes you strange, or it makes everyone else strange, no third choice." He had a penchant for logic from what she’d seen. "I always thought they did look a little strange." Eosi laughed fully this time, the merry sound easing out of her. ”I’ve notice the same thing,” she replied softly. They were a strange pair, to be certain.

To her brief apology, he gave a blithe little wave. "No need to apologize, Eosi. You have only just met me; it is wise to be polite and even cautious.” Of course he understood. If there was anyone in the world to have legitimate cause for suspicion, it was Leo. ”Those who give away all of themselves, too fast, place themselves at terrible risk in this world." That was a key principle to live by. She nodded acutely, obviously in complete agreement. It was an anomaly to find someone so very like-minded. "Perhaps, when caution is no longer necessary, it will mean the battle is done and the war is won. But I don't think it will happen in our lifetimes."

The sadness in his voice was so sharp that it cut her to the quick. He was right, solely from the brief explanation he’d given. Charged with such a monumental task, they both were nothing more than arrows in the wind, enjoying the thrill of flight. But enjoy it she would. Eosi could live no other way. When she’d answered him so very suddenly, he seemed taken aback. Perhaps even suspicious for a moment though she was no reader of people. Her words had thrown him, and shaken he responded: "I am honored."

The reaction made her giddy. It was so very irrational. Before she could ask herself why, Leo cleared his throat, clearly relieved to move onto easier topics. "Red," he stated openly. In that second, Eosi became hyperaware her hair was indeed, red. She shyly tucked an errant lock behind one ear, cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "Red is the strongest memory from my childhood. I was maybe five when I started dreaming of the fire.” Recovering a bit, she faced him to listen. ”I used to have this recurring dream of the flames swallowing me, talking to me in crackling voices, but I never seemed to make out their words. Later I found out it had something to do with my bloodline. The Zaitals are unique even among the other Azenth in that we actually share Ivak's blood, if only a little.” The revelation sent her reeling again, this time in a far more tangible way. Her eyes widened considerably. ”We descend from the son he sired from Queen Kova of Alahea, and through this link he whispered to me from my early childhood.”

He was the true heir of Ivak then, his very son. Her heart pounded against her ribs. Words dried and stuck in her throat. “What he was teaching me, I did not know until the seal in my mind cracked open. It was magic. Reimancy, and the wielding of fire." He looked to her, eyes beseeching. Their gazes locked and entangled. Eosi was in awe of him, tender and vulnerable. No, if Leo wished to stare then he would. She was not afraid. Merely amazed. "It all clicked together in my time of need when I received my first mark... but if we go down that route the tale is bound to get darker again." The man did not wish to be so morbid. Neither did she, to be honest. But if he planned to see her again (which was an exciting thought) then together they'd have plenty of time to discuss such things.

"Looking at you, your hair, the way you move, your hands holding that bow, it truly screams Inarta.” He was nearly mischevious. In combination with his shaggy dark hair and eyes, it made him look rather boyish. ”Most people here have never even heard of Wind Reach but you didn't blink at the name when I mentioned it. Yet I know for sure you can't be Inarta and know of Ivak; their minds cannot contain the god of fire for very long.” Eosi was stunned again. Leo really had a way of doing that to her. That one statement made an endless amount of sense to her. No wonder for all her life, Laes could not speak of Ivak. It had always struck her as a perversely well-kept secret when in reality it had been so much more. But… What did it mean?

“It's a... very significant thing about them. Will you cast your sunlight on this riddle for me?" The young woman decided she’d start from the beginning. ”I am half-Inarta. My mother was an archaeologist in Denval, my Father of the Endal caste. His eagle crashed into the debris that blockaded the city and broke its neck, leaving him to die. Layla found him.” Referring to her Mother as Layla had just sort of developed over the years. Neither of them really held that parental role in her life any longer. ”They fell in love and he resolved to stay. So your observation was half-right.” Eosi gave him a sly grin.

”There are many things in my life that stand unaccounted for, now that you’ve revealed so much,” she began, unwilling to pry. Instead she decided to focus on other, lighter matters. ”So you’d be the long lost heir to the Alahean kingdom.” With a soft chuckle, she continued. ”That accounts for your close relationship indeed.” Eosi had not expected him to answer her so completely. ”My Mother taught me of Ivak, taught me to honor him. She died when I was eighteen. My Father severed ties and returned to Wind Reach, to find himself. There wasn’t much to be damaged in my wake, given the spring storm.” Her eyes were sad, despite the smile on her face.

”I must say, you have a way of keeping me in awe. I don’t think anyone else has shocked me so thoroughly.” Their walk was carrying them to the edge of the trees, it seemed. When they came close, she stopped. ”Since you’ve revealed your secrets then I suppose I’ll reveal mine.” Playful, she turned and swept the mass of curling hair from the back of her neck to reveal a tiny golden sun etched neatly into her skin. He’d most certainly recognize it. When she was sure he’d gotten an eye full, she did another about-face. “I am rather devout to those I love.” Was there a double meaning there? If so, it was not intended.

[Leo Varniak]

There was a certain fascination in watching her reactions to his words. She looked sensitive enough to Leo's remarks that a single adjective could have her blushing or holding her breath. He thought he could understand much better her reasons for not immediately accepting his gift of Ivak's inner fire. For all the steel on the outside, there was much painted glass and crystal inside. He was suddenly reminded of the vision of her fear, and like the little bird struggling to sing, he suddenly knew he had the potential to hurt her. The pain he felt at the remembrance of his old life, when hurting was all he could think of, became an almost physical sensation before he banished it for happier thoughts.

He nodded encouragingly as Eosi opened the first real window into her life. He rubbed his cheeks and chin in an absent-minded gesture of concentration, making facts click together. The only moment when his body appeared to tense was upon her mention of Denval, the destroyed city. There, for a single moment, his step fell out of sync with hers before he caught himself and quickly recovered the lost ground. Regardless, he did not interrupt her tale in fear that she may stop if he did. When listening, he always gave his full and undivided attention. Not a multitasker by nature, Leo was all about focus rather than breadth. He was about to offer his point of view on the story, when Eosi surprised him once more by turning and offering him a glimpse of a gnosis mark in the shape of a sun. She emphasized her act by announcing that she was rather devout to those she loved, which Leo didn't quite get at the time, but filed away for future reference.

The playfulness in her gesture, the casually intimate nature of her present gave him pause. Certainly it had never happened before on the same terms and it colored his cheeks ever so slightly as he became rather suddenly aware of her body in a new light. Leo dabbled in painting, and could tell a perfect pairing of colors when he saw one. "That's beautiful," he gave his simple opinion with a smile but without specifying the subject. "It's a pity not every mark looks as good as yours. I have one you probably wouldn't want to see. The gods don't necessarily mark you because you've been praying to them. In my case, someone of a rather dark nature just wanted to keep tabs on me. It's probably for the best that I couldn't show you mine without getting inappropriate for strangers-en-route-to-friends."

Also, if she happened to see his mark, his identity as a champion would be exposed. A part of him wanted to tell her right away, but there was another, more surprising part that held a different view. That part didn't want to overwhelm Eosi with too many revelations in quick succession. That part also didn't want her to appreciate him only as the champion of Ivak. "I won't tell you how to feel, but if there's anyone who should be awed, it's me. It is quite easy to be devout when gods come knocking on your door so often... and even then, I have often struggled with my faith. It is far harder to believe when nobody answers, when the only voice is your own. No-one believes nowadays because it takes balls." He blinked. "I'm just quoting. Yshul told me this. True story."

If anything it only went to prove how the gods could be very human-like in their considerations. By now, Leo's mind was spinning. 'Why haven't you marked her yet, Ivak? Why did you let Syna beat you to it?' Ivak generally marked within a bloodline, but Leo had first hand evidence that he could mark outside the true blooded Azenth; Sondra was living proof. Why then? It was no use second-guessing Ivak, but Leo could only wonder if the induction of Eosi had been left to him on purpose. "I'm done keeping secrets, by the way," he tried to come across as light-hearted, but clearly the topic weighed down on him somehow. "I'm just figuring out the best sequence to tell you things. There are more bricks for your palace... but if I go about it in the wrong order, I worry that you might hate me before the day is done." He scolded himself for expressing weakness, however small, but it was true.

"Do you have any idea where we're going, by the way?" Because he had none. It was only after he spoke that, his boots crushing the grass under his feet, that it occurred to him the sentence was fitting in more ways than one. And in those other ways, too, he had no idea where they were going.

[Eosi]

Leo turned her words over in his mind, stroking his jaw thoughtfully. It seemed for a moment he fell out of step, his body becoming rigid. There was no real indication why excepting the subject matter. Eosi chose not to analyze the moment but rather to enjoy it. As she spoke, the Azenth seemed lost in her words and she found his undivided attention gratifying. It was not often she spoke so freely of herself; had he been rude or half-present, the young woman would have clammed up and quieted. But he was remarkable in various ways, all which had yet to cease amazing her. Of course, there was the issue of trust. Why exactly did she take his words at face value? Other than the amazing detail and length at which he spoke, there was little evidence to support him. Just the promise of evidence.

Eosi trusted him on instinct alone. There was no other reasoning behind it. He offered her proof – it was she that hesitated to reach for it. He would not have warned her as many times as he had otherwise. He’d warned her against her own emotions, against false faith and against himself. At times there even seemed to be some awful guilt, lurking just beneath the dark surface of his eyes. Leo seemed hurt in a near tangible way, as if he was harboring some unknowable weight. Perhaps it was the weariness in which he held his mouth or the eerie dark circles that ringed his gaze. That too, would reveal itself in time. All she knew was the inexplicable desire to be around him, to know him, and ultimately suppress that pain.

He seemed again surprised by her abrupt liveliness. The way he tripped over her mercurial nature was sort of fun, in fact. When she turned he seemed almost to blush, his otherwise ivory pallor turning pink. "That's beautiful," he said in reference to what she assumed was the gnosis. Eosi remembered the first time she marveled at it in the mirror, astounded at its radiance. "It's a pity not every mark looks as good as yours. I have one you probably wouldn't want to see. The gods don't necessarily mark you because you've been praying to them.” The Inarta was tempted to tell him he was mistaken on the idea she didn’t want to see it, but decided not to be contrary. “In my case, someone of a rather dark nature just wanted to keep tabs on me. It's probably for the best that I couldn't show you mine without getting inappropriate for strangers-en-route-to-friends."

The implication of nudity being inappropriate sent into laughter again, this time of incredulity. He was a prude, then? ”We were all born that way.” She said breathlessly, shaking her head. She hoped her high-spirited jesting wouldn’t bother him, but thus far he seemed somewhat unflappable. Leo was quite good-humored in his own way. They switched gears, moving on to address another aspect of their conversation. "I won't tell you how to feel, but if there's anyone who should be awed, it's me. It is quite easy to be devout when gods come knocking on your door so often... and even then, I have often struggled with my faith. Humility was something a person either possessed or didn’t. Vanity, the woman had noticed, tended to be more of a trait than a developed characteristic. The idea that Leo was humbled by the notice of the gods resounded with her own philosophy yet again. “It is far harder to believe when nobody answers, when the only voice is your own. No-one believes nowadays because it takes balls." Eosi cocked a brow, surprised by his sudden profanity.

"I'm just quoting. Yshul told me this. True story." Leo blinked innocently. Her smile yet again shifted to a smirk. ”Mhm,” she began, with a matriarchal sort of caste to her features. It was not forbidding but more or less amused. ”You’re full of surprises,” she said again, concealing her feelings on the matter. Leo knew all sorts of people, didn’t he? It seemed he kept more intimate company with gods than men. For a moment afterward, they fell into a comfortable silence. "I'm done keeping secrets, by the way," he suddenly announced. "I'm just figuring out the best sequence to tell you things. There are more bricks for your palace... but if I go about it in the wrong order, I worry that you might hate me before the day is done."

Eosi thought on that. ”We’ve all made mistakes,” she began after a minute or so, having come to the conclusion it was in lieu of something he’d done. Otherwise why would she hate him specifically? It stood to reason he was to reveal something more, something personal. ”some larger than others. Whatever it is that you wish to tell me, I will promise not to hate you.” And she meant it, with every breath it was spoken.

"Do you have any idea where we're going, by the way?" He asked her, realizing then that they’d more or less been wandering than walking. It wasn’t often Eosi wandered for the pleasure of sight seeing, either. She was a very direct individual and highly goal-oriented. ”I don’t really know,” she replied pleasantly, looking about. Her eyes fell on a large nearby tree, its branches sprawling in all directions. ”Because of my mark, I find it a bit disquieting to be out of the light. Perhaps we might climb that tree, and sit for a while?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. ”If you’re game, that is.”