Traces in Riverfall [Leto]

[Ronan]

As Leto followed him into the Web, Ronan began travelled down the strand. Leto explained Origin's to him, and he realised that if they found something like that, they would know for definite where Sama'el had been.

Feeling as light as a feather, he remembered the directions to the Sanctuary. The strand was leading them in the route the Riverfall stranger had described. His theory was probably right... Sama'el would have left his horse in the Sanctuary if he had stayed here even for one night.

As they passed along, with one hand firmly on the strand, the other on Tairell, Leto touched him on the shoulder supportively. The moment was intense. A flurry of emotions passed through his body, and suddenly he felt closer to Leto. Suddenly he understood Leto.

He twisted his head round to smile at the Drykas. Sama'el was such a big part of his psyche... the feelings were so strong, and now he knew why Leto was on this journey. He was following his heart, wherever it might take him.

They had travelled along the Web for a while when a familiarity began to purvey the airy realm around him. There were traces here of someone who had passed through the Web.

It was unmistakeable.

It was Sama'el.

[Leto Sunsinger]

Understanding. It came with everything that they had learned about webbing, and upon that simple touch to the shoulder, Leto felt as if he was drawn closer to Ronan as well, understanding the difficult decision that he had to make to follow Sama'el, and leave his newly found family behind. Smiling as he followed Ronan, making sure to stay close to him on the web, so they didn't get separated, he could feel the presense of Sama'el upon the web, and when they got to the sanctuary, it was undoubtedly Sama'el's web that they were traversing on.

Leto had no doubts anymore as soon as they reached the point of Origin, the runs on the web were exactly what Sama'el had created once back in Leto's tent the past winter. It was strange, that winter was almost upon them once more, and Leto had grown so fond of Sama'el over the past year, he wanted to show Sama'el these feelings, show him how he felt, as a Drykas, and even as most Drykas would judge him for these feelings, as they had done to poor Denen, Leto wasn't about to let it bother him, he'd forge his own path, and show Sama'el his true feelings for him, whatever they might be in the end.

"Now that we know he's here," said Leto into Ronan's mind, a smile crossing his face, "We should return to our striders, and make our way to the Sanctuary in reality, so we can query how Sama'el went about getting to the north, though his trail seems to lead towards the ocean..." Watching Ronan's ethereal form carefully, and keeping a gentle form about him, he would await his answer, to see what he wanted to do, whether it be trail Sama'el towards the sea, or return to their striders along the web, so that they would be able to make their way towards the Sanctuary, where Sama'el had undoubtedly gone too before he made his way northbound.

Whatever Ronan decided, Leto was up for it, whether it would be to traverse the web some more, or head back to their striders, or learn more about each other through the ethereal forms they now inhabited, their spirits. That single touch that Leto had given to Ronan had also shown him the pain of Leto's past, how his parents had been killed and why Leto was scared up and down his chest and arms. It was a sad scene, but Ronan would also be able to tell that Leto had come to acceptance of what had happened when he was thirteen years old, and even though he lost most of his family to the creatures that had attacked them, whatever they were, Leto couldn't remember and the Drykas that had rescued him never said, he had made up his mind to become a better person this past year, and had opened up greatly to those around him, especially Sama'el and Denen. Perhaps in time, Leto would open up fully to Ronan as well, given they were brought closer to each other by the web, a way that Drykas felt connected with each other...

[Ronan]

With the understanding came the pain - a bitter sadness in the Drykas' heart. Death of family. The tragedy was not so different Ronan's. Living amongst the Sea of Grass was dangerous, and often left young Drykas without parents or siblings, but the thought didn't numb the pain. It didn't fill the void left by expectant memories, fading in the future.

Webbing was truly glorious. It brought one closer to another, and allowed the spirit to roam free from the body. Sama'el had been here, and they were both sure of it now. The sense was fading though, slowly, but fading still. Had it been a while since he had passed through?

He smiled at Leto, sharing understanding of his pain through his eyes. It seemed they knew a lot more about each other now.

"I think you're right. We should get the Striders and head to the Sanctuary. Perhaps someone there knows where he headed next."

And with that, he lessened his grip on the strand, and things became a little blurry. A fatigue gripped him suddenly, and he felt a little sick. It was going to take some time to get used to Webbing. His skin suddenly feeling like a deadweight as he sidled back into his body, he reached for Tairell and began walking in the direction of Sanctuary.

A new found friend walked by his side.

END

[Baku]

Thou has written, and thou has completed, so I award thee the following.... Ronan - +5 Observation, +2 Riding, +5 Rhetoric, +1 Leadership, +3 Webbing, Lore - First Sights: Riverfall, Priorities of a Visit, Social Growth, Riverfall: Where to Stay and Where to Stable Horses, Opportune Times For Webbing, The Difference Between Spotting and Accessing a Web, Accessing the Web, Perfect Places for Using Webbing, Webbing: Origins, Perceptions While in the Web, Limiting One’s Time in the Web, The Search for Sama’el, New Friends Leto - +5 Rhetoric, +5 Observation, +2 Riding, +1 Animal Husbandry, +1 Singing, +3 Webbing, Lore - First Sights: Riverfall, Worries of Language Barriers, Searching for Others Using Webbing, Giving the Striders Rest, Perfect Place for Using Webbing, The Difference Between Spotting and Accessing a Web, Accessing the Web, Perceptions While in the Web, Webbing: Origins, Limiting One’s Time in the Web, The Search for Sama’el, New Friends Additional Notes: A short and sweet stepping stone thread to the greater story. Welcome to Riverfall you two, may your stays find you not getting dragged into the Arena.