Closed A Day of Retreat [Una]

[Lichen]

11th of Summer, 513 AV, Afternoon

Lichen never really liked the cold. Hated it, almost. It made her clay harden up. Earlier she had trudged through the snow to the Tree Retreat, her favorite spot in Avanthal. Or at least, the Tropical Room where it was warm and humid and easy to move. More often than not she would lounge about the exotic, low-hanging vines and bushes and be mistaken for a small, moss-covered statue. She was good at holding still. Lichen enjoyed watching the visitors go about their business, especially the Vantha, whose color-shifting eyes never failed to amaze her. She decided that was why she moved to Avanthal. She envied the Vantha, since her own eyes were grey and pupil-less. She couldn't even blink!

They would come and go from the Retreat and she would study them, too shy to strike up a conversation with one of them. She was especially embarassed about her stutter. Lichen would simply stay hidden and listen to their curious conversations, or what little she could understand. Her Vani wasn't that good, and often had breaks in it or mispronounced words. She could barely get the accent right, and even then it sounded like a dying dog rather than a musical note. Her stutter messed everything up. She tripped over long words constantly. The only time she didn't stutter was in her thoughts.

Her mind returned to the present, and the steamy air softened her clay ever so slightly as she stood and brushed off a leaf that had landed on her. She glanced left and right, and when it was confirmed that nobody was around she began to walk. Lichen pushed against the door that was almost too heavy for her to move, opening it enough to slip through. Cold enveloped her, and she pulled her cloak tighter. She could feel her clay firming up as she made her way to the landing houses, namely the lush garden with the pond. She liked that pond, especially the waterfall. Her boots clicked against the ground, barely audible.

When she reached the pond it took her a few tries to get up onto the outer edge and sit comfortably, arranging her cloak and dress around her for extra warmth. These stones are so cold, she thought, attempting and failing said attempt to find a less-cold spot. She picked at the hem of her dress, her hair and anything else that could be picked at, fidgeting. Finally she settled down and simply watched the plants and people.

[Una Tanta]

2nd Day of Summer, 513 AV, Early Morning To Afternoon In the morning, before the sun broke over the ridge and lit if not warmed Avanthal, Una awoke. The numbing cold of the sea urged her into action. Slipping from the spot beneath the docks where she slept she wound her way through the ropes and hulls of the ships preparing to leave. As she skimmed the surface her pale skin was obvious in the dark water and she heard the familiar welcomes and good mornings from the sailors. She never replied, the vertical scar on her stomach a reminder of the lack of conscientiousness fishermen possessed. They wanted fish, no matter the cost to anyone else in the water. Slipping deep beneath the surface she kept a vigilant eye about her. The part of the sea where she lived was full of predators but there were also places in the coral to hide. Out here in the open ocean she was vulnerable. Quickly, the faint glow from the rising sun no longer permeated the water and she was surrounded by darkness. Reaching out with her hands she stopped when she felt the cold silty bottom of the ocean floor. It was shallower here, near the docks, the plant life more abundant. Moving along the floor by feel she eventually passed her hand over a waxy moss. smiling, she dug her fingers into the silt and dug it up, roots and all. Placing it carefully in her bag she continued to explore the sea floor pulling up several other plants including red seaweed, an orange wiry weed she had never seen before and a yellow soft moss. Focusing on the feel of her surroundings she didn't notice the large black creature following her every movement. Her bag full she swam toward the surface slowly swirling happily, enjoying the swim. Breaking the surface the light lit the dark fish. Eyes widening terrified she bolted, the spiny creature hot on her tail. Fortunately, like most cold water creatures they didn't waste their energy with the chase and after a few meters it gave up. Breathing hard, eyes stretched wide Una pulled her shaking body from the water. Stumbling toward the clothes she mindlessly fumbled with them struggling to put them on. Shaking the trembling from her body she stepped out swathed in red. Keeping the soaking sack away from her body she trudged through the heavy snow, people out in the bright cold sunshine shoveling the walk ways. As she paved her way to the Tree Retreat she saw young volunteers wandering between buildings. Smiling she passed through the stair case in the dome that captured the sun. Icestone buildings surrounding the oval tables. She had been in the retreat earlier out of curiosity and having talked with one of the Vantha they had requested she get them some plants from the ocean. They had wanted to cultivate and learn about the plants there but the ships were too indelicate and always damaged the plants trying to haul them up. Picking her way through the pathways and plants she found the Vantha who had requested her help and presented her bag. "I couldn't find much, it was so dark. But I hope this helps." The Vantha gazed at her delighted, "Oh Dear! Thank you!" Blushing she turned to the children she was over looking, "I'm sorry Dear but I'm busy with the children right now, would you mind holding on?" Una shifted on her feet impatiently wanting to get on to the library as quickly as possible, "Sure. I'll wait by the waterfall to keep the plants wet." She replied turning and making her way to the pond. Her hunt had taken up most of the morning, and with the sun well overhead Una felt the usefulness of the day slipping away. Submerging the bag in the water she opened the top letting the water slip in. Following the bag she slid up to her chin and closed her eyes the trickling of the water keeping the pond from getting stale. As her mass entered the water slid up the curved stones almost trickling out of the bowl.

[Lichen]

She watched the exchange between the Vantha and the sea creature. Something knocked at her memory, and she struggled to remember what it was. The being was obviously female, if she applied average humanoid anatomy to it. Carefully she sorted out the information, curious. Lichen had never seen something -- someone -- like this beautiful woman before her. She looked the woman up and down, noting the magnificent headdress she wore. It appeared to be made of shells, but if they were real or not made no true difference. As she made her way over to the pool, Lichen immediately froze. She began to panic, afraid that she had been seen. She faced forwards and adopted a slight, carefree smile.

Thankfully, the woman seemed to not notice her. She plunged a bag into the water, opening it and letting the liquid seep in. Some of said water splashed onto Lichen's back as the woman followed the bag. I'll bet there are plants in that bag, she thought to herself, that's the only reason she'd be here. It wasn't uncommon for people to bring various plants, both aquatic and land-growing, to the Retreat. Lichen dared to take a glance behind her, noticing the woman up to her chin in water. The water itself almost overflowed, and she scooted slightly away to keep her cloak from getting soaked. There was nobody else about, only her and the seadwelling woman. At least she figured it was a woman. She didn't want to make any sudden movements, being wary. The lady's calm and peaceful countenance could change in a second.

[Una Tanta]

11th Day of Summer, 513 AV, Afternoon Leaning her head back against the stones Una sighed heavily watching the day vanish as she waited for the woman. Peering through the water into the bag she marveled at the distortion. This is what humans saw everyday, they had no idea how ethereal everything looked under the surface. The water was a lot like people. Placing her arms outstretched on either side she let herself sink into relaxation. The morning had been frightening, it had been a long time since she had had to run from a fish, and a long time since she had had to spend such energy being vigilant in the water. Running her fingers along the waxy leaves of the plants surround her she opened her eyes peering around her surroundings. Along the bottom of the pond were tiny fish who nibbled at her feet making her giggle, and beneath them were shining pebbles, white and silver. Eyes glistening Una slipped into the pool and wrapped her hand around a perfectly rough rock. Slipping back up to the surface she peered at it, watching it dry. Stones looked fresh and new underwater...dry...she could see why people thought them unremarkable. Her eyes continued to meander around the pond as she slid the pebble into a pocket of the clothes she'd crept out of being self consciously before slipping into the water, she knew how people reacted to her nudity here now. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a little statue covered in moss. Reaching out and picking it up gently she rolled it over in her hands. At first, it had seemed shapeless and Una speculated that a child had carved it. Peering closer she brushed the moss away with her thumb carelessly, revealing the deep careful detailed etchings in the face. Making a small impressed o with her mouth Una drew the statue close to her eye. It was beautiful...Having made her own statues from the coral of her home, she appreciated the talent necessary to carve this. Maybe she could follow the carvers style and make her own. A little coral woman...THAT was beautiful... "So what did you find us?" The elder gardener asked as she turned away from the children. Fumbling quickly Una tucked the statue into her coat pocket and slipped out of the water hustling to clothe herself. Raising an eyebrow the gardener made a quiet judgmental clicking sound as she walked past the sea creature. "This way..." She said brusquely not waiting for a reply and walking her away from the steaming tropical room. Handing her off quickly Una saw the warning glance she gave the man she left Una with. "This way my dear and lets have a look at what you scavenged..."

[Lichen]

Lichen's mind whirled as the woman picked her up. It took her all the will she could muster to not move an inch when she brushed a bit of moss away. Her eyes were thoughtful as she looked Lichen over. Her fingers were cold and wet from the water, and she shivered ever-so-slightly, but not enough to be noticeable. The woman's mouth formed an O, obviously impressed and thinking she was a statue.

The elderly Vantha gardener interfered with the inspection, inquiring as to what the woman had brought them. At first Lichen thought the woman would replace her, but her hopes were dashed when she was tucked into a coat pocket. She felt movement and assumed the woman was climbing out of the pool and clothing herself. Lichen heard the click of a tongue, obviously judgemental, and then footsteps. "This way..." the old gardener said. What little heat escaped the tropical room faded, and she began to panic. She didn't want to leave the beautiful warmth.

She could tell the gardener left, handing her off to another person. Her form relaxed and she dared to poke her head out of the pocket, catching a glimpse of the man that she -- and the woman -- were following. Her tiny mouth opened, but no sound came out and she ducked back into the pocket. It was possible the woman would just return her to her spot, right? As impossible as it seemed, she still kept that in her thoughts. This way my dear and lets have a look at what you scavenged..." She curled up, bringing her knees up to her chest and began the long wait.

[Una Tanta]

Scavenged?! The world made her curl her lips. As a reader Una was sensitive to word choice and she suddenly felt as if the man viewed her as his own personal raven. Eyes narrowing she followed him into the pine scented interior, his personal office located at the end. Charoda's were known for their peaceful views, however many Mizaharians thought this meant they were placaters, willing to set aside their own beliefs to make another person happy. However, the case instead was that the Charoda were simply willing to hold that two beliefs could simultaneously be true, even if they negated each other. Or if that were not the case that at the very least others had the right to act however they liked, if this negatively impacted those around them those people should be allowed to leave. Una, arguably a more aggressive Charoda than most, interpreted this to mean "You may have your own opinions, I reserve the right to tell you you are wrong and why but if you choose to continue with your own beliefs I will either be amused and carry on or retire from your presence." In this case that is exactly what she did. "Excuse me, I don't appreciate the word scavenged. It implies that what I gathered was dead or trash which is not the case, or that I am an animal. It is inappropriate." Her words were light and she quickly moved past them ignoring his astonished reaction to the plants. "They will need very careful care, the water in the fountain was a different salinity than they are used to, and we had an unfortunate run in with a fish that may have disturbed the roots." She advised as she carefully removed them for his inspection. Eyes glowing he peered over them gently running the plants through his fingers. "Thank you Una, for your time and help. As you suggested we should probably plant them immediately. I hate to ask for more of your time but would you care to help or must you be going?" He asked rising from his chair. Elated Una nodded, She had spent much of her time as a child entranced with the fauna and flora of the sea, though she had a basic understanding of coral manipulation a skill passed down through the generations she had little understanding of gardening the sea. Following the vibrant old man through the pines he led her to a large deep box in the corner, filled with salt water and a wheel that circulated the water it seemed a thoroughly thought through home for her plants. Kneeling down with the old man she ran a finger ponderously along the surface of the water watching it ripple. Taking the waxy moss from her bag she watched him plant it. He was elderly, though his gait and dazzling blue eyes were youthful looking at him closer Una could see the long tired lines along his face, and the exhausted sag of his skin. He had the smell of earth and pine about him and his heavy leather outfit, designed to repel the needles that stuck into Unas legs, was a caked in dirt. Smiling, Una liked him immediately, he picked up her plants placing them in the silty bottom of the pond and carefully covering the long delicate roots. Enjoying the silence Una quietly copied his movements his experienced hands covering hers and showing her how to plant the long tendrils of seaweed. They both laughed as it got tangled around each other and themselves, and by the time they had planted only a few they were both soaked and they had as big a pile of damaged plants as potentially successful ones. On a higher shelf they planted the yellow moss both running their fingertips over it and watching it move away from them in wonder. "It's like it's alive..." He breathed."Everything underwater is alive...you just can't see most of the life. You have to close your eyes and feel it all around you." She whispered. She preferred to speak softly, everything sounded beautiful when you whispered it she thought. The peculiar wiry plant simply wouldn't stay in the soil, every time they buried it it would quickly rise to the surface. Eventually the old man simply removed it shaking his head, "Sometimes, we just don't have enough knowledge and skill to replicate nature." He told her and she smiled in reply, he was one of the few true men she had met in Avanthal to date. Clasping her hand they shook, "I'll come by soon and see if we manage to grow anything." She promised. The corner of his lip twitched but he didn't say anything, he was used to seeing volunteers come and go. Kneeling back down he gazed into the water and she turned her back to walk away. Stopping she turned back to him, "Why don't I see if I can find any books on aquiculture or these plants. Maybe it'll help?" But he was so entranced he didn't even raise his head. Leaving she shut the door carefully behind her and began the laborious walk to the library to begin the hunt. Stumbling into the library she stamped the floor and shook careful to remove as much snow as possible at the doorstep to protect the books. The library was dry and warm much to Una's disappointment. Though she recognized that it was likely cozy for the Vantha it made her itchy and dry. Jack wasn't at the counter this afternoon. She checked curiously cheeks flushed before stepping into the dizzying rows of books looking for a section on sea flora.

[Lichen]

She was not happy. Not happy at all. First she was basically abducted, shoved in a pocket, taken away from the Retreat and her beautiful -- if stubborn -- little Silkena after the two taking positively forever to plant a few measly coral plants and aquatic moss, and not only that but one of the plants didn't even want to stay! Lichen heard the girl promise that she'd be back later, and continued her mental list.

She was cold, she was grumpy, and she definitely did not want to be in the library. Sure it was dry and warm, but she liked the humidity of the Tropical Room. Besides, it took forever for her to get warm in a dry place. Now in a steam-filled area it took less time because she could absorb the heated water that was in the air. She wanted to go home.

Her little face screwed up, and if she was able to produce tears they would be streaking her clay. Why did the big people always do bad things that scared her? I wish I had my Py-Pole, she thought and sniffled out loud. Both hands flew to cover her mouth. Lichen's eyes were wide and she held very, very still. She didn't want to be discovered, no matter how much she hated being here.

Some time later, between the maze-like bookshelves, she began sliding towards the pocket opening, and quickly too. She flailed and tried to grab on to something, but with no success. The best she got was a handful of fabric that quickly slipped away and she fell out of the pocket with a clunk. She froze up, trying desperately not to move. Both knees were pulled up slightly, and one arm was up in an attempt to hide her face while her left hand was splayed flat on the ground, supporting her.

[Una Tanta]

Juggling a pile of books Una made her way to her usual rug to rifle through them for the most helpful resources before totting them through the snow. Tilting and shuffling she felt something drop, and heard it smack against the ground. Huffing Una rested the edge of the pile on a shelf to glance down and see what she had dropped. Una furrowed her brow confused. It was the statue. But certainly not the same one. Awkwardly shuffling Una managed to balance the books on the shelf and lean down, one hand supporting the books the other reaching out to pick up the statue. Resting the edge of the books against her hip she examined it with both hands confused.

[Lichen]

As soon as the woman picked her up Lichen began moving. "P-put me down! Your h-hands are cold-d! You s-stole me from t-the Retreat! Put m-me down!" Her voice was tiny, but full of fear and something akin to anger. She espeically disliked the way the woman was balancing the books.

Her tiny arms flailed and she acted almost like a child having a tantrum. She placed both hands on the woman's, attempting to squirm out of her grasp. Lichen kicked, grunted and twisted. She was now very, very unhappy. "P-put me down! I d-don't like being this h-high! Let g-go of me!"

[Una Tanta]

11th Day of Summer, 513 AV, Mid-day Una yelped, the statue had moved. Almost dropping it as she fumbled with the moving thing. Its rough exterior and the chlorophyll from the moss rubbed off on her fingers tinting them a greyish green instantly. "P-put me down! Your h-hands are cold-d! You s-stole me from t-the Retreat! Put m-me down!" Hard to hear, all Una could understand was that the little thing was angry. Gripping the statue tighter to keep it from falling Una ignored the tiny squeaks emitted from the mouth of the creature. "P-put me down! I d-don't like being this h-high! Let g-go of me!" but obliged despite her lack of understanding though maybe not in the way the thing had intended. The tantrum and kicking had forced Una to lose her grip on the rough clay and it went spiraling to the ground. Hitting it with a clatter like clay pots it instantly scrambled to its feet and disappeared beneath the gap in the bottom of the bookshelf. Instantly dropping the books to fall to her knees searching for movement she saw a tiny shadow scurrying towards the door. "tut tut tut, don't you think you've hurt enough books?" came the gently scolding voice of Cy's childhood friends. Not looking up Una strained her eyes searching without reward for more movement. "No! I saw something! Come help me!" Raising an eyebrow he stayed exactly where he was. Raising her head to huff at him Una stood giving up on finding such a tiny thing again. "I saw something incredible! It was a statue I found at the Resort. It moved! and yelled at me!" The last part she added with indignation. "You stole something from the Resort?!" Jack replied with jovial disapproval. Scowling at him Una retrieved her fallen and slightly mussed books. "It was pretty." "Uh-huh..." "More importantly! It moved! And talked! Why don't you look more surprised?" Una begged willing him to be as excited and intrigued as she. "Well I am sure you will tell me all about what it is when you do some research." He retorted ambling away chagrined. Once out of sight Una immediately set her previous pile aside and began rifling through the library for something that would explain what she had just seen.