6th Spring 515AV
It was happening again but this time around she couldn't cope. Her nightmares had returned.
It was understandable that they had plagued her throughout the winter season. It had been a time of great stress for her, more so than normal. There hadn't only been the usual trials that the season presented but unpleasant thoughts for her to dwell on. Remembering how easily tensions had led to the riots the year before, she'd almost been expecting the same to happen again. The anxiety of it had been almost crippling and so she'd tried to bury it - a mistake. There was no way the lower castes would risk it again considering how brutally their previous act of rebellion quashed but still Azira had feared. Not willing to face it consciously, her fears had turned inwards, perverting her dreams.
The season had passed but the dreams had not. In fact, they'd only intensified as they entered Spring. The new season had entered with a bang, a storm of such strength surrounding the mountain that Wind Eagles had refused to leave. The hunters hadn't been willing to risk seeking game in such inclement weather and so the vast majority had remained within the city. The huntress had chosen to catch up on some much needed sleep. The nightmares had tormented her more than usual, as she had thought, on account of the storm. After the storm had passed however, they continued night after night without fail, growing progressively darker until the idea of rest filled her with terror.
It was always about the same thing: the riots.
She found herself in the archery range once more, a swarm of Dek and Chiet with cruel faces swarming around her as she tried to bat them away with her bow. It was their hands and their faces that terrified her the most. The glee with which they grasped at her, groped her and more recently violated her and tore her to pieces, had led to her waking shaking with terror. Many times she'd woken in tears, hysterical as she found herself unable to distinguish dream from reality. It had gotten to the point where the Avora realised that she was no longer able to function, shuddering and flinching from those she passed in the Warrens, jumping in fright at noises while hunting. She'd decided that enough was enough, that the situation had grown desperate enough for her to take drastic measures. The huntress had decided to seek help at the Dreaming Lady.
Azira paid her visit at a time when she hoped it would be quiet. She didn't want to see others there and didn't want to be seen herself. She was half-afraid they would able to see what ailed her and know what was going in her head simply by looking at her. The spa was a beautiful place of course but she was still frightened of it. Someone had to look in her head in order to help her and the idea of it made her skin crawl. The fact that someone would delve into her minds, her thoughts, her memories meant that she had every right to be worried. That was how it would work, right?
As soon as she entered the establishment, a warm vapour seemed to swirl around her. A sigh escaped her, body relaxing as the breath of air escaped her. It had been the right decision to come here, she acknowledged. They could help her here and then everything would be so much better not only for Azira but for the denizens of Wind Reach that relied on her skills as well. She took a few steps into the place and paused to look around her. Lights in the ceiling glowed a soft amber which gently illuminated the room. Her eyes slid over comfortable cushions and beautiful rugs scattered over the floor before drifting between the three openings that led to new rooms. She didn't know where she ought to go. The first room seemed the brightest, glass walls allowing the Syna's light to enter sluggishly at this early bell. The second was much darker in comparison. She couldn't see into it, the interior of the room out of sight although there appeared to be a faint glow within. The third opening was dark. Wherever it led to there was no chance of the huntress getting a glimpse into it.
Azira hovered near the way she'd come in, not with nervousness but with uncertainty. Where should she go? Ought she to be here so early? Was it too early? What should she do? A barrage of thoughts assaulted her as she considered what her course of action should be.
It was happening again but this time around she couldn't cope. Her nightmares had returned.
It was understandable that they had plagued her throughout the winter season. It had been a time of great stress for her, more so than normal. There hadn't only been the usual trials that the season presented but unpleasant thoughts for her to dwell on. Remembering how easily tensions had led to the riots the year before, she'd almost been expecting the same to happen again. The anxiety of it had been almost crippling and so she'd tried to bury it - a mistake. There was no way the lower castes would risk it again considering how brutally their previous act of rebellion quashed but still Azira had feared. Not willing to face it consciously, her fears had turned inwards, perverting her dreams.
The season had passed but the dreams had not. In fact, they'd only intensified as they entered Spring. The new season had entered with a bang, a storm of such strength surrounding the mountain that Wind Eagles had refused to leave. The hunters hadn't been willing to risk seeking game in such inclement weather and so the vast majority had remained within the city. The huntress had chosen to catch up on some much needed sleep. The nightmares had tormented her more than usual, as she had thought, on account of the storm. After the storm had passed however, they continued night after night without fail, growing progressively darker until the idea of rest filled her with terror.
It was always about the same thing: the riots.
She found herself in the archery range once more, a swarm of Dek and Chiet with cruel faces swarming around her as she tried to bat them away with her bow. It was their hands and their faces that terrified her the most. The glee with which they grasped at her, groped her and more recently violated her and tore her to pieces, had led to her waking shaking with terror. Many times she'd woken in tears, hysterical as she found herself unable to distinguish dream from reality. It had gotten to the point where the Avora realised that she was no longer able to function, shuddering and flinching from those she passed in the Warrens, jumping in fright at noises while hunting. She'd decided that enough was enough, that the situation had grown desperate enough for her to take drastic measures. The huntress had decided to seek help at the Dreaming Lady.
Azira paid her visit at a time when she hoped it would be quiet. She didn't want to see others there and didn't want to be seen herself. She was half-afraid they would able to see what ailed her and know what was going in her head simply by looking at her. The spa was a beautiful place of course but she was still frightened of it. Someone had to look in her head in order to help her and the idea of it made her skin crawl. The fact that someone would delve into her minds, her thoughts, her memories meant that she had every right to be worried. That was how it would work, right?
As soon as she entered the establishment, a warm vapour seemed to swirl around her. A sigh escaped her, body relaxing as the breath of air escaped her. It had been the right decision to come here, she acknowledged. They could help her here and then everything would be so much better not only for Azira but for the denizens of Wind Reach that relied on her skills as well. She took a few steps into the place and paused to look around her. Lights in the ceiling glowed a soft amber which gently illuminated the room. Her eyes slid over comfortable cushions and beautiful rugs scattered over the floor before drifting between the three openings that led to new rooms. She didn't know where she ought to go. The first room seemed the brightest, glass walls allowing the Syna's light to enter sluggishly at this early bell. The second was much darker in comparison. She couldn't see into it, the interior of the room out of sight although there appeared to be a faint glow within. The third opening was dark. Wherever it led to there was no chance of the huntress getting a glimpse into it.
Azira hovered near the way she'd come in, not with nervousness but with uncertainty. Where should she go? Ought she to be here so early? Was it too early? What should she do? A barrage of thoughts assaulted her as she considered what her course of action should be.
Nari | Common
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