PM to join A Song of Youth (Drusilla)

[Alori Sai]

The story had been so chilling, and even the hairs on the back of her neck and arms had stood on end. Alori hadn't realized it until she moved her fingers over her arms to rub away the icy chill and felt the tiny prickles upon her skin. But she was grateful for the advice, otherwise she may have thought them male Kontis and gotten herself kidnapped for her ignorance.

The subject changed, and the teen smiled as the woman rambled on. She didn't seem like a bad person, nothing like the beings that she spoke of. But it was still awkward, the claws that she had and the fangs that dripped poison. Alori was glad to hear that she only ate fruits, and the woman did appear hungry anyway.

"So..what do you think? Are you up for another song, or would you rather go for a swim?"

x

[Drusilla]

Drusilla smiled happily at the fact that this girl still trusted her. The Inarta were very leery of her when she made her way to the gate as a young girl herself. This sense of distrust followed her for many years, she heard the whispers and she saw the looks they gave her when they thought she wasn't looking. However in time Drusilla had proven to them just how useful she truly was. The little Symenestra had been taught from a young age the how to's of weaving and sewing. From private tutors to schooling at The Weft and Warp, she had been taught by the very best. Putting all she had learned into her work and working diligently, some of the Inarta changed their tunes. It had been an uphill battle, but with each passing year her acceptance grew. Until the point she became a widely accepted resident. But there were still some Nay-sayers, not many but some. "Hmm..." Drusilla thought for a moment, she had spent the summer in Kalinor but hadn't visited the grotto once, and the temperature was going to fall pretty soon."Sure, let's go for a swim. It might be our last chance for the year."

[Alori Sai]

Alori had questions, and thoughts, but she didn't ask. The teen wanted to know a bit more about this woman's people and about her in general, but she didn't want to offend her. Outsiders were so easy to offend than most of the Inartans in the city, and along with a slight language barrier things went wrong a lot.

Dusting off her clothing, the teen stood up and stretched her arms well above her head while lifting up on the tips of her toes. She sighed pleasantly and leaned down to pick up her guitar. "Alright, well I suppose we could walk back from here to the city and see if there is someone available to take us to the Bay? Or we could walk ourselves?"

She waited to see what her companion wanted to do and then started to walk back towards the forest and away from the falls. She was daring, but even she wouldn't try and dive off the top of the mountain and into the waters 40 feet below. "So are you staying in Wind Reach now? I mean for good or?"

x

[Drusilla]

Drusilla stood up and dusted her dress off as well, "Walking never hurt anyone. So I say we walk. Besides, I'd feel bad bothering someone just to cart us out to swim." She stretched her arms above her head, she had gotten too comfortable in the grass. Drusilla followed the Inarta girl, yes the weather was nice and a walk would be lovely. The birds were chirping happily and a breeze was blowing through the grass. It was an oddly calming day which led Drusilla to daydream. Alori's voice brought her back to Wind Reach, "Nn?" She was surprised by the question. It was odd for someone to care, unless they were worried with her stay in their city. "I've always been here for good. Sure I visit my mother's grave from time to time. But, I never really leave. There's really nowhere else to go. My Esterian views are much too extreme for most Symenestra. In a way I'm considered dangerous to the Symenestra way of life. The views of a surface walker. Too worldly. I once met an Inarta woman who wanted to be a Symenestra. I believe our souls were mixed up in the heavens." Drusilla walked quietly for some time, "You seem to be pondering something Enda-Lori. Was there anything else about Symenestra you wish to know? There are some cute semi-redeeming thing we do. The Harvests only happen in fall, during the summer we do get visitors of other races. Met a man who was from the desert. A child of the crows." She caught herself trailing off. "Sorry, there I go again with stories."

[Alori Sai]

Alori agreed, walking suited her just fine, and the teen had spent a lot of time doing so either when hunting or just out for walks. This woman must have been of the worker class because she had the same ideas as they did. Endal wouldn't have wanted to walk and would have simply called upon their eagles to take them where ever they wanted to go.

Drusilla had an interesting view about things, and judging by what she said about her kind, she was very different. Alori didn't have cause not to believe her, and for all the woman's talents, she could have attacked the teen by now, if that was what she had wanted. "So what do you think of it here? I mean, you know..the city...wind eagles?"

The walk was pleasant with another in company, and the time seemed to fly by quickly and with ease. Once they made it back to the city, it would be another thirty chimes before they reached the bay on foot. Drusilla was a talkative one, and Alori liked that. Having someone who talked as much as she did was nice for a change. "Oh, well there's a lot I don't get about your people and that crazy harvest. And I'm not a Endal, just an Avora."

She wished she could say she was, but that dream had already passed, and for now she was just happy to be getting her life back. The two made their way down the path heading towards thunder bay and Alori listened to more of the woman's story. "Wait, you can't just start a story then stop. You have to tell me the rest."

x

[Drusilla]

"No, Enda is a term used for young unmarried women. That's all I was saying." Drusilla looked to Alori as they walked, "The city, huh?" She smiled, "Well, there's a lot more sunlight here than in Kalinor. As we don't have any sun there! All kidding aside, I love this city. After living in a cave for twelve years, you view so many things differently. Sunshine, stars, the moon, grass, sturdy structures. The Wind Eagles are massive! I have a close friend who's an Endal so I've seen them close up. They're huge, but amazing." "I don't agree with the harvest. I guess this is my story... My parents married out of love, and because of that love my mother made a deadly decision. There were be no surrogate, she would carry her own baby. Only about two Symenestra tried to carry their child each year. It was a good pregnancy, everything went well. She went into labor and I was born. But my life meant she would have to die, that's why surrogates are used. My mother never got to see me, let alone hold me. I killed my mother. I don't celebrate my birthday, I can't. If my mother could make that great sacrifice... Others can too. My father remarried a harpy of a woman, hated me. She and my father had children but this horrid woman was a coward. Two women died to birth my siblings. A Kelvic and... an Endal woman. I became very close to her. When she passed they discarded her body as trash. That was the day I knew I didn't belong there." She gave a small sad smile,"Now here I am an Inarta-wannbe." "As for my previous story, I was in the tavern that most non-Symenestra guests go to for a drink. There at a far table was a bronze skinned man, it was the only open table so I sat down. Turns out he was a Chaktawe from far away. Then, this Zith came up and sniffed him! He had a human slave with him and she gave a sigh like 'not again'. I had no idea what to do. It was weird..."

[Alori Sai]

The walk for 30 chimes wasn't that long and soon enough they were heading into the bay. Alori liked coming to the place, it was her home away from home, even though it was so close by. Alori glanced at her traveling companion, the woman had a strange way about words, but the teen was starting to like hearing them. "Oh? What makes you think I'm not married?" she asked, walking beside the pale blonde.

There was a sadness about the woman, and it seemed that her past loomed over her head constantly. Alori could understand, having her own past following her and constantly threatening to take her life. But as an Inartan, she hadn't been that big on family and barely remembered her parents. They disappeared when she was still very young, and that was that. "That really sucks about your mom. I'm sorry."

The next story she told was very strange, and Alori was all smiles until the woman mentioned Zith. "Gods I hate those. Petchin beast. I'd stay way from them if I were you." They continued through the bay area, crossing the stores and shops until they reached the waters of the ocean. "Woo, we finally made it. You ready to hop in?"

x

[Drusilla]

Drusilla smiled. "I've been in Wind Reach long enough to know weddings are not common place happenings here. Plus, you are young and I doubt anyone could tie you down right now. There is also the fact, that you are here and not with said husband or wife. I don't judge. The world is far too full of hate for people. I say just let people be." She hadn't meant to say something so deep in meaning, but it had happened. Oh well. "I never knew my mother, Sernillia. But yet, I miss her... Or maybe it's more of a want to know her. To know the woman who's face I have. Most children resemble both parents in a mixture of features. I resemble only Sernillia with her recessive features. Strangely it's quite the opposite of what happens with surrogates where only the father shines through mostly, but if you look close enough bits of their mothers are there too." A frown crossed the Symenestra's face, "It pained me to look at my twin siblings, seeing that woman who had to die. Senella, the girl has the fire of an Inarta only I fear it has twisted and bent into something... dreadful. Where as Devaddel is slightly off as I remember... He was different, in the head just a bit. But so very artistic! Everything in detail. Another Inarta trait as I see it." A cheeky grin reappeared on Drusilla's face, "I may not know too much on the twins. But I sure do have stories of my little brother, Druvindri. We grew up closer in age. You could always see the cunning from his Kelvic mother in his eyes. He must be about 18 now..." Drusilla counted mentally and on her fingers."Yeah, about 18." She nodded to herself. Drusilla made a noise of disgust herself, "The Ziths don't bother Symenestra as they do humans. Plus, one bite from me and any Zith would cease to be. They're just... difficult. Scaring tourists, knocking stuff over with their massive wings, and not understanding what personal space is. In Kalinor they're more nuisances to businesses and people." She grumbled to herself thinking back on the encounter. She stopped her grumbling at the sight of the cool waters, "Ah, sweet water!" She turned to Alori," Just let me take off my dress, I have Symenestra wrappings on underneath and I'll be right in!"

[Caela Dorin]

Grade Awarded Drusilla Experience Skill XP Earned Deduction 1 Observation 2 Philosophy 1 Socialisation 5 Lores • Lore Earned • Enda-Lori • Alori: Hunter • Observation: Spotting Maturity in Young Eyes • Sharing Views Too Extreme for the Symenestra • Sharing Information About My Family Life in Kalinor • Deducing That Someone is Unmarried • Philosophy: Just Let People Be Additional Comments Shame that this ended prematurely as Alori and Drusilla seemed to be getting along very well. Well you got something out of it at least. Please edit or delete your grade request and PM me if you have any questions or concerns about your grade. x