35th of Spring, 511 AV
Emerald Pond, Late Evening
Emerald Pond, Late Evening
Night had fallen, or at least some semblance of night, for even now after spending so long in the city Evalin still could not tell if what she saw was truly what was. The stars in the sky blinked and moved in an epic game of tag that spend the entire universe, while the moon sat like a silent guardian overlooking their fun with a solemn expression. Upon the ground there was a similar scene. The buildings of the city all leaned to one side as if resting upon one another for the night. Dancing moonbeams filled the street, and the flowers sung soft lullabies to the slumbering citizens.
"What an accursed city. I loath it ever more each time I come..." The voice came from a lone figured, cloaked and hooded, that walked along the lakes shore lines. Curiously she did not venture so close as to see her reflection in the water, nor did she allow the waters to touch her. Her eyes gazed skyward, points of red only just visible from within the shadows of her hood. In her hand she held an ornate staff, and about her neck there hung a necklace with a shimmering gem.
How many years has it been... Evalin paused in her walk to ponder this question, yet quickly her interest faded, Matter it not for I am here now, though for what reason?
Absently she stroked her necklace, glancing down at it from time to time as she walked, What say you my dear Tsenrika...?
A cold stirred from within the stone, and a voice as frigid as the winds of the north whispered to her mind, I know not your whims...
This brought a smile to Evalin's face as she turned and walked a few steps farther from the lakes edge, Come now my dear Tsenrika, there is no reason to be as such. A finger traced the outer edge of the Familiar trapped in his sealed form, and as she did she whispered softly, "Come forth my dear Tsenrika. Grace me with your presence..."
The gem would shimmer and glow for a moment, and then it and the from which it hung would begin to melt, pulling together to form a single floating sphere no bigger than a blue jay. The familiar's surface was like a perfect mirror, reflecting everything about it. Evalin could see her own face in its surface, and her smile grew slightly wider as she continued, "This be your first time in this city yes? Tell me what you think of it?"
The familiar would float to rest just above her shoulder, its voice still echoing within her mind, It is a curious place that holds little interest to me...
The woman chuckled, raising a hand to brush a finger against Tsenrika's smooth surface, "Speak you this because you care not for the city, or because you dislike that what you see may not be what you see?"
The Familiar was silent for an endless moment, but when he spoke his words were soft and filled with contempt, I care not for trickery that would baffle the senses... Tis a truly distasteful thing...
"My I would never have guessed that the city would trouble you so... Curious that one such as yourself would be dissuaded by a few minor trickeries and deceptions of the senses."
It take but one trickery to hide death's shroud from view...
Evalin paused to ponder this a moment, "Very true, yet I wonder if it is the thought of death hidden that sours your demeanor, or if perhaps it is annoyance that you cannot believe what your perfect vision sees?" And to Evalin's satisfaction Tsenrika replied no. Turning slowly in a circle Evalin cast a glance at the lake, her eyes narrowing for a moment before her gaze returned upward, "Though truly, this city more than any other casts a cloak of wariness upon my shoulders. I fear I should never rest here..."