Closed You Really Want to Come? [Dragul]

[Svasra]

Arriving at the Springs, Svasra turned to Dragul to ask his intention. Did he only wish to come viewing? He seemed to read her mind though as he promptly explained he wished to actually go into the warm Springs, and disappeared to turn his back to her. Alarmed, she realized what he was doing as he began to take off his shirt, hurriedly turning away until she heard the gentle lap of water running over the edge from his immersion.

Turning around, Svasra nodded to his invitation, going behind him to quickly remove her clothing. Though the steam from the Springs kept it rather warm in comparison to the chill of Avanthal, it was still significantly colder naked than when she was wearing layers of protective clothing. The air was biting already, and she barely had time to ask him to close his eyes before she rushed towards the Springs, plunging into the warm waters. Svasra let out an audible sigh as she submerged herself up to her chin, closing her eyes briefly to appreciate the warm waters that ran around her.

"These Springs, very old," Svasra began, opening her eyes to look at Dragul where he lounged. "Hole in bottom," she continued, pointing with a toe to the minute hole in the center of the pool. "Every one of them has it. That one ..." she gestured to the fenced off pool, "Connected with Spires, small hole ... sends things to Spires! Exciting, yes? We are .. not sure where the others go!" Svasra smiled and her arms settled back at her sides from gesturing wildly as she excitingly told Dragul about the mystery of the Springs.

Svasra leaned her head back to rest on the soft moss that surrounded the Springs, breathing in their relaxing aura as she closed her eyes once more. "We are ... in no rush," she murmured absently, seemingly content to spend the rest of her days in the Springs. She rarely came here, and Svasra definitely planned on enjoying it now.

Silent for a moment, Svasra's eyes popped open when she felt something land on her nose. For a moment she thought it was a drop of water, but it was a crystal blue that was not transparent liquid, that much was for sure. Staying still, Svasra tried to see what exactly had decided to settle itself on her face, looking towards Dragul across the pool. "Um, hey, Dragul? Can you ... please tell me ... this, ah, isn't a huge bug?" she whispered, trying not to move too much. The creature seemed really content as it sat there, still as Svasra so the two could have been sculptures. As long as it wasn't a bug, and it wouldn't hurt her, Svasra didn't see any problem of sharing some personal space with some animals.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

The relaxing sensation of the spring filtered through him like he was a wraith, and it enveloped him like a fast clinging cloak. He was faintly aware of his surrounding though, and managed to just see a faint glimpse of Svasra naked, as she submerged herself into the springs. Only a glimpse.

While he sat there marveling in the sensation he had never before experience he still managed to take in what Svasra was explaining to him about the springs. Portal to the Spires? Something he'd have to explore on his next journey through. With that explanation finished, he resigned himself to enjoy the warmth. He felt muscles relax, and he stretched them out. Raising his arms over his head-around the time Svasra lowered hers-he stretched his arms out, and flexed the taught corded muscles that lined his arms.

While he was busying himself with relaxing, he couldn't help but think back to that glimpse of Svasra naked. It filled his head with thoughts of a more than innocent nature. He smiled at all the prospects despite the silliness of them ever coming to any fruition, but he was a male after all equipped with a sex drive.

This train of thoughts was broken off however when Svasra asked her if there was something on her face. Looking over he noticed an impossible tiny frog of ice blue hue upon the bridge of her nose. It seemed so silly. He decided to wade over towards her and see if he could capture it in the palm of his hand, unharmed. His movements were strange however since they weren't meant for traversing water, but rather land.

His hand came up towards Svasra's nose slowly and the frog simply stood there unabated. Until, at last when his hand was close enough it alighted onto his hand in a single spring, and then hopped back off onto the moss from whence it came. Now however, as he followed the travel of the frog with his eyes he couldn't help but remember that he was standing before Svasra, exposed from the stomach up. He couldn't help but notice the awkwardness of the situation, and thus he sat back down.

Perhaps they should get going.

[Svasra]

As Dragul waded over, Svasra stifled a small giggle from his lumbering movement, much different than any air of grace he possessed on land. The man didn't seem to be quite familiar with water as he finally settled in front of her, holding out a hand to the small blur on her nose. Dragul's ice blue gaze followed the figure, which Svasra learned was a tiny frog as it leaped away, and it offered Svasra a small moment to study the man. His stature seemed much more at peace within the warm waters, the muscles that packed onto his form relaxed. Odd one, he was. So different from the men of the Vantha, Svasra didn't know quite to make of the Akalak. Either way, she knew he was a friend, and travelling with him would be ... fun!

As he suddenly sat down, Svasra seemed to draw out of her thoughts, eyes flickering as she focused on the man who seemed awkward as his shoulders tensed. The woman slowly became aware of just how different the pair were. He was a man. And he was very, very, naked. Coughing slightly, Svasra slowly turned, coaxing her face into a passive expression, perhaps even a tad bemused by the twitch of her lips. Laying her hands onto the moss, Svasra ran her fingers through their soft texture, letting their touch soothe her into relaxing her tensed shoulders. Facing away from Dragul, Svasra was able to compose herself, keeping her breathing even and calm.

Svasra had no prominent memory of being in the Springs with a man. It was one thing to submerge herself in the company of her female Snowsong companions. Modesty was a thing of bashful youth, when girls batted their eyes to be married off to some man of their dreams. Coming with a male, though, was an acutely different experience. As Dragul stayed on his side of the pool, Svasra had little worry. Then, her inherent curiosity wiped any qualms as she peered at the small ice-frog that had decided to rest on her nose. Now though, with Dragul silent behind her, Svasra found herself quite aware of his proximity. "Well, perhaps we should ... get along? It is ... getting late," she said, speaking more to the moss than to the man behind her.

Kicking her feet a tad, Svasra straightened her arms to get her knee onto the edge of the pool, rising with a fluid motion once she was grounded. Usually, Svasra would jump out and dangle her feet into the Springs until she dried off, but suddenly that didn't seem quite as appealing.

They were friends. Perhaps even close friends.

But, they were in no way, quite, that close.

Praying Dragul at least adverted his gaze, Svasra moved to her clothing, throwing them on with as much calmness as she could muster. On the surface, Svasra maintained a dignified and passive air, though she had to admit she didn't feel nearly as relaxed about it on the inside. Squealing silently, much like the child she refused to be, Svasra put on a smile as she looked over her shoulder. Think of something witty, diffuse the awkwardness. "Hm, if you sit there ... all day. You'll be like ..." Svasra paused, and wrapped her scarf around her neck as she grasped for the word. "Dried fruit," she finally managed, referring to the wrinkles found in the fruit that was preserved. Oh the great Svasra, the most intelligent one out there, she thought dourly, but Svasra pulled on her boots and turned around once more with a light laugh, abet forced. "Hurry up, I will not look!"

Trying to stay cool and not screech apologies, go red in the face, and run around like a crazed woman, was a lot harder than Svasra thought it would be. Biting her lip, Svasra shifted anxiously, tapping her mittens together in a nervous habit. Though her face flushed involuntarily, Svasra tried not draw attention to it, wrapping her scarf a bit higher than necessary. Svasra hoped Dragul didn't want to talk about it, or try to "make things better" in a way that always made things worst. She felt this was one of those events between friends best left forgotten in the snow.

"I am turning now, hope you are full dressed," Svasra said as she swiveled, unconsciously closing her eyes ... just in case.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

The situation had been awkward, and strangely more awkward than he had imagined. While he was not young, nor naive to the figures of women, he hadn't ever been so freely close to a woman, and in her willing company. Svasra had faced away from him after he had sat down, and he guessed it was then that she realized exactly what he had. He hadn't moved backwards to his spot on the other side of the spring, for he somewhat found the shortened distance between them delightful, but he wasn't sure why.

Without looking at him she began to ascend out of the pool and onto the moss to get changed. He was about to advert his gaze when he ascent beat him too it, and he caught a quick glimpse of her figure before he had fully looked away. He still managed to turn before she noticed he had caught a glimpse, or at least he hoped.

It was then while she was changing that he ascended as well, in the midst of Svasra trying to do her best to diffuse the situation. It was a silly thing to say, but he did not think ill of her, and he smiled, though she didn't see. Still he managed to get out of the water and quickly change before the snow set in. However, before he could get fully dressed Svasra turned around just as he had finished putting on his pants, and so he then endeavored to quickly put on his shirt and jerkin.

The awkwardness however now no longer bothered him, and he hoped that this was something that wouldn't be forgotten amongst the blowing snow, even if it was only he who chose to remember.

"So lass now where are we off to?"

[Svasra]

As the day was beginning to come to a close, Svasra looked briefly to the sky, estimating the time by the sun and how long her shadow was. It was more guessing how much longer until it became fully dark, than any type of specific time-keeping. Such was definitely not within her range of knowledge of the skies. Perhaps one day. Smiling, Svasra couldn't help but feel like she had the chance to do anything.

"My parents ... want to, ah, meet you- at the Smoldering Embrace," Svasra chimed with a smile, taking Dragul's hand to happily drag him in the right direction, more than happy to put the past event firmly behind them. She talked idly as they traversed towards the bonfire, not expecting to stay long as Minara mentioned she wished Dragul to experience the lights from the peak of the Kaliara Observation Deck, and one had to get there quickly to get a good place.

Working through the maze that surrounded the Embrace, Svasra resisted the temptation of pounding off in search of treasure, opting to find something upon her return to Avanthal. Whenever it may be. The young woman waved over the shadowed figures of her parents where they stopped singing with a younger group of Snowsongs, gesturing for them to continue as they slowly walked over.

Svasra stood next to Dragul quietly, sudden anticipation overtaking her as she awaited the first meeting between companion and parents. Was it odd she was glad she would not have to go through the same experience with Dragul? Unless, of course they stopped in Riverfall. Well, such are the possibilities! She fidgeted nervously, feeling as though time slowed time to excruciating levels as each footfall of her parents took a day. At this rate the Aurora lights would be shining before they even reached Dragul! Of course, that wasn't really the case, as Minara and Havok arrived in front of them mere moments later.

"Dragul, these are my parents, Minara, and Havok," Svasra said, speaking in Vani for her parents' benefits. Though their Common had improved exponentially, probably even past her own, Svasra knew they much preferred their own Vani tongue. "Mom, Dad, this is Dragul, the Akalak I'll be travelling with." She smiled weakly, and took a step back, having little else to do now ... but watch.

Once the introductions were out of the way, Svasra breathed a silent sigh of relief. She ambled after her parents as they led the way to the Observation Deck, talking idly in Common to ask Dragul some general questions (was he born in Riverfall, how long he'd been travelling, did he like it here, such frivolous things like that). Whatever was being said between them died down as they climbed to the top of the Observation Tower, settling down to peer over the low-rise wall. In the Deck conversations were to be minimal and quiet, though Svasra felt no need to speak as she awaited for the darkness to fall.

It did not take long, and in the time many others joined her. Artists and couples alike crowded onto the deck, carefully sitting down, some bringing out paints and sketchbooks to work in the light of Morwen. She almost envied their skill as she looked on, able to peer over a shoulder or two for an exclusive glimpse of their masterpiece in the works. As soon as the night erupted into lights though, Svasra looked away, pinning her gaze on the ribbons of satin colour that danced over the sky.

Svasra smiled, almost unaware her eyes glowed with unshed tears, reflecting the lights pristinely as a couple slipped free and streaked down her cheek. This is what I will miss. The peace, the beauty, the confidence, the absolute love of Avanthal and Morwen that each moment instilled in her as she watched. Svasra could barely remember any night she did not see such radiance. Sometimes, in the darker days, it kept her going. What would now? Could anything replace the lights of Morwen?

The tears flowed more freely now, but Svasra was unashamed. She barely blinked, only when they pooled too much for her to see, almost feeling the gentle brush of Morwen's hand as her paintings played in the dark heavens. She felt as though it was the most beautiful display tonight, though it could be only because she knew these sights were numbered. She felt a hand on hers, the soft touch of her mother, ever comforting. A mitten wiped away a tear, and Svasra smiled weakly, without moving her eyes off the aurora. "Dragul," she whispered, hand finding his arm where she gripped it. Am I right to leave? Could I? Should I? .... Do you promise to stay with me? she thought, but could not say it with her parents so near. Not yet. Thus, she had nothing to say to him. Though, maybe he knew. Maybe he knew as her hand tightened its grip, and she took in ever flicker of the wonder Morwen graced her with.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

The spring falling further behind them, Dragul resigned to let Svasra lead him to where they had to go next. He had a sense of the layout of the Avanthal from his time there, but he still wasn't against a free tour without worries. Svasra seemed eager enough, and he had no desire to ruin what joy she was having: she would need such moments in the times to come.

Finally arriving, he heard song, and turned towards its flow to find its source, which stemmed from some younger Vantha, and what he soon found out was Svasra's parents. However, this was a little more like an observation because she waved them over, and began to appear tense. She was anticipating this encounter, but he imagined that anticipation was laced with nervousness nad dread, based on her posture.

An exchange of Vani occurred which Dragul was able to pick up on the truth that these were here parents, but much else was lost to him. From there they quickly transitioned to ascending to where they would view the lights. Along the way however he was asked a series of ordinary questions by Havok and Minara as they inquired into his past, and his motives more likely. He responded without much length to the simple questions: "I am from Riverfall. I traveled all through fall. It is nice enough, brisk, but nice and beautiful".

With the brief and simple introductions out of the way, Dragul shifted his attention towards the scene before him. Not much conversation, in fact almost none at all that wasn't whispers could be heard up here. He looked at the various people, which he was surprised at due to the quantity. There were even painters and couples which he supposed wasn't too outlandish given the scene they were about to see.

However, there was something that he still wasn't completely sure of. What was the connection that these people felt with a spectacle. Yes it was beautiful, but so was the sunrise, and the sunset, the moon in the night sky, the shadows swaying about. He was missing something that was rooted in these people's lives, and he desired to understand such a secret.

He watched as the darkness swept over a little more thickly, and in a grand contrast the lights came across the sky in glorious streaks and hues. It was, when all was said and done, a marvelous sight to behold. It was one of the things he was most delighted to take back with him, when he journeyed onward through the world.

What surprised him about this instance, that was different from when he had seen the sight before, was that he was now not alone. The reactions on people's faces proved even more son than before that this meant something to the Vantha. It was enhanced further by the sensation he felt gripping on his arm. He looked over, away from the lights, and saw Svasra with tears welling in her eyes and streaking down her face. This was a result of more than just the lights, it was a reaction to their absence, or soon to be absence. He had still didn't understand.

She had whispered his name, but said no more. He was sure that she wanted to but the setting just wasn't conducive for a personal conversation, not amongst so many people. He was sure she was worried, like she had been every time he had approached the subject of embarking on their journey. Perhaps she had finally seen the scope of things, and all that she would leave behind. Perhaps she had felt something he had not when he had left, perhaps she was realizing all that she might never see again. He strangely felt a sense a pride for her, for she was unashamed of her emotions, and that was something that would carry well into the world.

He slipped his arm loose of her grip and put his hand on her shoulder, and patted and squeezed with reassurance. He flashed her a smile, and nodded, as he turned his gaze back to the lights. "All will be well" he whispered.

~CONGRATULATIONS~ Dragul : Please Update your CS before I can post your grade. You need to deduct Fall and Winter seasonal expenses. When you have send me a PM and I will post your grade. Svesra : Please Update your CS before I can post your grade. You need to deduct Fall and Winter seasonal expenses. When you have send me a PM and I will post your grade. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade please feel free to send me PM.