Storytelling - Tiorak

[Nyra]

24th of Summer, 514 Av

“Who are you?” They scowled at her, looking down at her, towering above
her, but there was no one else and she wanted to join in. “Cassia..?” She answered hesitantly, and they laughed. What they petch were they laughing about? That she was a girl, or she answered hesitantly? Either way, it wasn’t funny. She scowled back at them, and one of the boys answered- actually, they were all boys - “You're just a girl. You can’t-” She punched him in the chest, djed flowing into her arm. “Really? How did that feel?! You're the scum, you know!” The other boys backed up, and she did what she thought was a combat stance. He glared at her, and ran up, aiming for her head, and she ducked down, and hit him in the chest again, blood flowing in her ears. She jumped back.

“You got something, but you can’t beat me!” Her scowl grew deeper- she didn’t want to knock him out or something. He ran at her, and punched at her multiple times, his face red as his friends laughed. Suddenly, her legs knocked out under her, and the boy put his foot strong on her, and she growled as he shouted, “Your pathetic! That was a beginner’s mistake!” He smirked. She looked up at him, and she smirked back at him. “You're pathetic, wanting to hurt-” She was promptly shut up by a quick slap to the face, and he moved his leg to join his friends.

After awhile, she sat up, dusting herself off, and something was in her eyes, and she wiped her eye, surprised to find it was a tear. Why the petch was she crying? She moved her legs closer to her, looking down to try to hide her tears, but they still came. Why was she acting like such an emotional brat?

[Tiorak Tioravi]

The day was dimmed somewhat, and between that and the bustle of the city going down a few notches; Tiorak could see himself in a bath without issue. It had been a long time since he came to the city, and during that time he had mostly outgrown his childish shyness around other people around the Kinell springs. As long as he muttered to himself how he wasn’t naked for them or the other way around, it all worked out somehow. Even so, he preferred going there when most of the regular loungers dispersed. Those tended to be the later hours of the day, just before full dark. Seeing as he was a lowlander, it felt strangely chilly when he first started adopting this habit, but in time it all become lesser part of a great routine.

Seeing as you couldn’t really do much around the Kinell other than soak, he couldn’t help but feel silly about the book on his person. Sure, it wasn’t that rare to see people reading through stuff at the springs, but it was silly to think he’d be able to make out much of it in the dark. Still, it was much too late to go back and drop it just to come back again. He’d just take some extra good care of it, and all will be well.

As the trees thickened, just before that clearing the springs occupied, he thought he could hear a faint disturbance to his left. Being the jumpy character he was, there was no way to help it, he had to check it out – at least from some more favorable distance. It didn’t take him more than a couple of steps for light to be able to reach the eyes properly. The darkness remained as thick as ever, but kept being pushed back until he could see someone doubled up against the dirt. It was a sad pose if anything. Almost reminded him of his younger siblings, and how they moped when they didn’t have their way. Come to think of it, the form did look rather small. And if hair was any indication, that was a girl crying over there. Put all this together, and you practically had a mental image of one of his younger sisters. If Tioravis had anything in abundance it had to be children. He was only sixth in the line of thirteen known – and gods only knew how many more times Cheva blessed his parents. There was something to be said about his parents’ productivity when it came to these things. When he was smaller ‘yuck’ was all he could manage, but now he found the entire ordeal rather impressive. And that was about all the self control he had when faced with crying kids. He was an older brother to a few, so it was his job to make it all better for the little ones.

“What’s wrong?” he’d bolt out too quickly for even him to believe it would be heard correctly, so he added “Are you hurt?” again the tone was gentle, but the pronunciation quick.

[Nyra]

Pain was dancing like fire at her legs where he kicked her hard, her hands slowly moving downwards to where the pain was. When it reached her legs, her hands jumped back up the leg. Pain was annoying, knowing it was temporary but it was still very there and you couldn't do a single thing of it. She only just wanted to feel how hot springs actually were- she never went to one, and if she did, she didn't remember. 

She heard walking, or perhaps it was the slight wind that was rare these summers that were actually cold. She shakily tried to rise up, for her legs refused. Why the tears? They were drying up but slowly still falling like a soft rain. She didn't really want to explain why she was crying. She disliked adults most of the time, fussing about her like a massive wind eagle. The wind was going faster now, it seemed.

"What’s wrong?" She looked upwards. It was said quickly, like the wind. She didn't even remotely get what he was saying. She didn't really like her ears, sometimes. "Yeah...?" That was what she usually said when she didn't hear. He said something else, on the gist of hurt. "Yeah... I'm fine, I guess." She sniffles. Why why why was she acting like this?! "Just tripped. Thought it would hurt less. That's it." Her voice cracked a little. She naturally was a bad liar, and she wished she wasn't. Why was she so bad at what other people seemed to succeed at? 

[Tiorak Tioravi]

Somehow he believed the little one to be consumed by something. For the wounded animal she seemed, her reaction was quite lacking. Even when it came, there was something broken and mechanical to her voice. He could tell. All those distant days when he was fresh to whole this running away thing, they all came back with nostalgia. Back then it might’ve been harder, but at least he still firmly held onto the belief that he’ll come back – that he’ll be able to completely disregard fire. That never happened, naturally. It was the simple most beautiful thing in the world, and as if that wasn't enough, it was powerful too…
The surge of thought came and went rather abruptly. He didn't think about much else these past few years.
“Are you…” he wanted to ask the same question again, assuming she was lying in the first place, but he evolved it so he didn't have to repeat himself “..Can you walk?” then he’d outstretch a hand towards her and leave it open. Much to his dismay, the hand shook and danced almost as much as her very form. Why was he even bothering? He, of all people, had no business meddling with the problems’ of others. If he learned anything in this long while, it was that he usually made things worse by taking part.

He still didn't back out of it either though. She reminded him of himself too much…. Well as much as one shaky person reminded of another. They weren't even similar, and he could guess their troubles were vastly different, but the familiarity of it all kept him standing. He was alone through his past by choice, so he’d give her one too. There was no need to take back the offered hand while it could still be rejected just as well.

[Nyra]

She nodded at the guy, and she took his hand, gripping it firmly and standing up. The man looked hesitant as she slowly got upwards, tears still on her face, her face red, starting to dust off herself from the dirt. “Yeah, I’m fine, I suppose, thanks for asking.” Though it was a generic response, it was sincere, knowing that if she was him, she would prefer to just avoid her. His hand was shaky, she realized, tears clearing, along with her mind. He looked like he was going to the springs, wearing simple clothing along with a small book that looked rather..dull.


“So, uhhhhh..” She said, the h sound going much longer than it should, before saying, “ What’s the book about?” She asked, hoping to keep the conversation going before it became awkward like her usual conversations with adults. Her eyes narrowed at the book, trying to see it in the semi-darkness. She wanted to snatch it out of his hands to see what it was, but he was an adult and probably just make a scowl-y face at her and lecture, so she waited for him to answer. “We can walk up to the springs, as that’s where you probably wanted to do here, yes?” She said, beginning to take a few steps up the trail, the walking stinging her legs a bit, but otherwise, it was alright.

Boxcode byVerena

[Tiorak Tioravi]

She took his hand and started acting on her own before he even had a chance to respond to anything. Maybe she was actually feeling better than she looked? Either way, he’d play along and begin what seemed a futile interaction. “It’s a girly book” he’d say, adding the title “Adventures of Phineas Gelb” and then eyes widening, he’d finish with “Used to belong to my mother, it’s mine now” it sounded bitter, and almost as if his mother had passed. For all he knew she hadn't, but he knew little these past few years.

“I was going up the trail, yes” he’d take steps after her “Shouldn't you go home though?” he’d evaluate her as friendly as possible “You don’t look well” he’d stop talking after the last bit. He never meant to prod at her. His involvement just made things worse – always made things worse. Maybe he should come up with some random excuse and walk away? Much of it muddled up in his mind, but it delayed any action at all well enough.

[Nyra]

“How is it a girly book? Doesn’t sound like it. Sounds more for a guy, “ she said absentmindedly, “And my parents.. ah.. are a bit busy.” Rather, they believed that she was out with friends, which she didn’t really get yet, being the random girl that just came out, and people didn’t really want to talk to her, as they already found their friends, or maybe it was something else. “It doesn’t hurt too much, it’s fine, “ She answered in another absentminded tone, opening her hand towards the other, “Can I see it?” She asked, walking above to the springs. “Name’s Cassia, by the way, nice to meet you,” She said in afterthought.

Boxcode byVerena

[Tiorak Tioravi]

It was hard to explain to a child how his mother’s book focused more on the character’s visitation’s to the brothels were he triumphed under some sheets. It was all rather bland, and obviously a female fantasy of some sort. The little action that was featured was overshadowed by how the hero’s eyes glistened in Syna while he showed those pesky thugs what’s what. In its some three hundred pages, it had managed to explain in painstaking detail all the forty nine silk shirts Phineas owned…. And well, even his thoughts couldn't recollect all the smut, even if he ransacked through it daily.

“It was written by a girl, for girls” then he’d pause for what seemed a hiccup of time, and continue “Sure, you can have a look at it” and as soon as it left his hands he knew he’d made a mistake. There was no way a girl as small as her should ever find out about these things before due time. Especially not in the slimy way the book depicted it. He’d nudge his hand after the book as it left, but he wasn’t keen on abducting the item out of her hands either. Instead, he covered his fright with an attempt at conversation. “I’m Tiorak” his extended hand hoped to preoccupy her from the book, if only for a second. “What we’re you doing out here alone anyway?” what was he supposed to ask children? The only thing he knew is that she’d react rather rudely if she was treated like a child that she was. He would've in her years, but that must’ve been some good ten years ago.