Life Goes On (Navisya)

[Dominyon Curare]

Fall 74, 512 AV

The bed felt hot, or perhaps he was just hot, or restless, or anxious. The temperature in the underground cavern remained at a fairly comfortable constant throughout the seasons. So it was unlikely that, all of a sudden, the silk covers had become too heavy. He wasn’t sweating, and he didn’t feel ill. But sleep eluded him, as it had most nights, of late. Dominyon flipped over onto his back, and stretched out, as if the greater exposed surface area would cool him into restfulness. His arm, however, landed on Namalia’s pillow, and the back of his hand rubbed gently over its smooth surface. His golden eyes, open and staring into the darkness, now closed, slowly, and he felt that softness on his skin, imagining it to be Namalia’s cheek, her arm, her body…

His hand stopped moving. With eyes still closed he flipped it over, long, thin, strong fingers twisting into the delicate material. Clutching it in his grasp, Dom pulled the pillow to his chest, his other arm coming up to fold it into his embrace. He caught that barely discernible scent, of her hair, and he pulled it up until it covered his nose, breathing in that faint, faint trace of his wife. Tightly, he cradled the inanimate repository of that infinitesimal fragment of the woman he had shared this bed with for the last nine years. “Namalia…” he whispered into the silk. “Where are you…”

*****

Several chimes later, in the darkness that was eternal unless the opalgloams were utulized, he rose, moving carefully and quietly, to avoid rousing Sysellia and Aetheral. His mother was already asleep in the children’s bed, ready to be with them and care for them whilst their father was out on the hunt. It was his life. They were used to it now, Namalia having left two seasons past. When the children woke, they would no doubt ask if their mother had returned – as if somehow the woman that loved them more than she loved her own life would sneak in unannounced after being separated from her darlings for so very long and go to bed. Dominyon gathered up his things, which he had prepared the evening before, and took a look in at the sleeping trio. Knowing that the sight of his children should have lifted his heart, but feeling it still a dead weight in his chest, he left them, to ascend the stairs and exit the small hanging home. Clambering along the silken cords that connected several such, he made his way past his parents’ home and thence to a more major ‘route’. This took him to the home of his uncle, Tevander. This home too was feeling the loss of its maternal presence, but on a more permanent level. Dom didn’t want to let his mind wander in that direction, though – he would not. Entering the pear shaped dwelling, he found his uncle, his father, Aaliyon, and his cousin, Navisya, each of them kitted out in a similar fashion to Dominyon, hunters - all four of them. His complexion a shade more pale than usual, dark circles under his eyes, Dom felt an exhaustion of spirit that sat so very uncomfortably on shoulders that had borne much responsibility with little stress or fatigue. But he made no mention of it, merely nodding to each of them and reaching for a cup filled with a thick juice made of different pureed fruits.

“Good morning, Uncle – Father. Navisya.” On his cousin’s cheek, he placed an affectionate kiss, before taking a sip of the juice. “So, are we settled on our course – or are we still debating – the valley or the ridge?”

Personally, he had argued in favor of the ridge, thinking it still too early for the elk to be venturing down into the sheltering valleys of the surrounding mountains. But his father had seemed inclined to disagree with him the day before, and his uncle had not taken a clear stand. So Dom had made his points and then rested, letting the others talk it out further. Recently, he had not seemed as focused on such matters – he couldn’t quite get up the enthusiasm to care as much as he had, before…

With a tired grin, he asked his cousin, “And you? Have you set them straight yet, Knobby?”

[Navisya Curare]

This was it, Navisya's favorite part of the hunt: the preparation. She held fond memories of days spent around a warm fire in the light-polluted forests of Kalea, and treasured the times the four of them sat half-drunk around a table, trading barbs and congratulating themselves on a good kill, but there was nothing like the moments before departure. The four of them sat in a room during Kalinor's after hours, meeting like thieves planning a heist. Hunts didn't always go well, and sharing drinks was no longer a sacrosanct tradition, but this part always happened. The room always brimmed with a fraternal sort of energy, and nowhere in Kalinor would one be able to find the same levels of camaraderie and mutual respect. Zlynge barked once when Dominyon finally descended into the room. Navisya tugged sharply on his collar. "Easy," she hissed at him, then looked up and smiled cordially at her cousin. His familiar shape was a pleasing sight, and now that she was back in Kalinor and he was in arm's reach again, it was still an enormous relief to see him. Troubling, though, that he looked so sullen. "Morning." The dog stood and wandered up to Dominyon to say hello and request a pat on his head. Once he was satisfied that he'd welcomed the newest member of the room, he returned to Navisya's side and laid his head in her lap. Black nails scratched softly around his ear. She smirked when Dominyon addressed her. "Oh, you know they never listen to me." Navisya grasped Zlynge by his muzzle. "You're not picky, are you Zy?" She passed a quiet look to her father, who seemed to stiffen. Reacting on some nonverbal cue, he spoke. "We could start with the ridge," he said carefully, inspecting his long nails and ignoring whatever stares his brother might be giving him. "We could benefit from a high vantage point and see where the snows have fallen, if they have at all." Tevander turned his head mechanically, aiming eyes at his daughter. "Sya, did you see anything when you returned to Kalinor?" Navisya shook her head. "Our ship dropped anchor near the coast, and I came back to Kalinor mainly through low-lying passes." There were many entrances into the cavern city, some of them flowing with water at lower points closer to the sea. It had been years since Tevander had left the shadow of their home. He'd forgotten the lay of the land south of Kalinor. "If Uncle still insists on the valley, then I am content. You have the experience, after all. You did seem to have some plans laid out." While their elders talked, Navisya placed her curious golden eyes back on her cousin. She wore a small, sad smile, features brimming with worry. Dominyon was still missing his wife, and it was beginning to show. The smiling cousin she remembered was a shadow of his former self.

[Dominyon Curare]

Dominyon was able to focus a bit more easily as Navisya spoke. He already knew that she knew nothing of Namalia’s whereabouts. But the simple fact that she had traversed something close to the same route that his wife might be returning by formed that illogical sort of connectivity in his brain that sometimes happens. She wasn’t able to lend much to the debate of valley versus ridge, and Dom didn’t particularly care that she said she was agreeable to either. A year ago he might have cast a look at her as much to say wow – thanks for the support there girl. But now…he just sipped some more juice and lowered his hand to scratch at Zlynge’s ear absentmindedly. His eyes were lost somewhere else, but then he raised them and caught Navisya watching him. He saw that look, and knew it more than he’d have liked to admit. He didn’t care for other people to worry about him, and it grated that he was letting his inner turmoil shine through so transparently – or so he must assume it did.

Tossing her a grin that resembled something more like one of times past – easier times – he asked, “What? Did you finally figure out that your best friend back in school was just faking it because she fancied your handsome cousin?” He chuckled, hoping he sounded as cheesy as he was trying to be. “Don’t worry – I hear she married one of the Orchids.” He shuddered and made a mock grimace. “You can have the last laugh – you don’t have to put up with a husband. We’re such pains. I think there’s a good chance you can hold out and die a spinster, honestly.”