Correspondence Between Aarias and Cellia

[Cellia]

Spring 510 - Don't read until I have left (One year passing for travel)

Aarias Stormshadow,

I hope you have listened to my explicit directions not to open this letter until after I have departed from your homeland. Well, I guess that's a silly thing to put on a letter given that I don't know when you opened it.

More to the point - I am already wishing a year has gone by so that I may come back to this exciting place you call Endrykas. I can't fathom that you -move- your city to cope with the elements. It's really fascinating. Truly, it is!

I can tell all my friends about the handsome Drykas man I met. I feel you're an added bonus to my trip for I would have not understood half of the environment if I didn't spend long nights out in the Sea of Grass having you explain it all to me. I met a Drykas Warrior - you are everything I have read about and more.

You cannot imagine the excitement that exploded in my bosom when you asked to keep in contact. Personally, I thought you couldn't wait to get rid of me. I must have distracted you enough from all your studies - I, of course, meaning physical training. You're a warrior after all! It's hard to imagine strong men like them sitting on the docks as I do. Let alone flipping through pages of imaginary stories. It's curious what the imagination allows us to fabricate.

I'll pray to the gods to keep you safe from harm. Oh, and they should also make sure our letters are delivered safely to one another I suppose. Personally I would be most distraught to not receive a letter back from you. I know it will take time but the wait is worth it.

~ Cellia Del'illor ~

P.S. and please refer to me as Cellia from now on - I feel a little awkward when you address me as Lady Del'illor. Those titles are meant for ladies - not merchants like the Del'illor family.

[Aarias]

Sent from Aarias Spring 1st 511 AV - Addressed to Lady Cellia Del'illor

((OOC note: Any misspelt material / grammar is because of Aarias writing in Common and he is not used to it - yet.))

Dear Cellia,
This is first of many letters, I assure you. It will be nice to send letters to you and receive them. On a different note, I am sure you are laughing at my attempt to write in Common. It's been so long, many years. Normally Pavi spoken with hands as well as words. Writing is different art completely. Common spoken, hardly written for me. Hardly writing at all except for military whatnots.

Endrykas moves with the land, making a sustainable society in Cyphrus. Otherwise we don't live well off of land and many die, depressing sadness. Though death is not uncommon here. Elements as well as animals take their toll but I like to think about it like them getting another chance to be. To live.

You want more of my life and I want more of yours. Sitting by washing water must be fantastic sight. My land is beautiful and I cherish it but a stationary city. Cottages, docks, and its own life is a place of imagination. You belong. The life of a Drykas does not suit you although we do read and appreciate art much like you do at your home.

Draw me a picture, I would love to see your homeland. Appreciate your prayers but do not fear. No fear allowed. I will write again even if, I have a feeling, much is wrong.

I will have Vac look over my penmanship so that next time I write all will be well.

Much care,

Aarias Stormshadow

[Cellia]

Sent: To Aarias Stormshadow - Spring 30th 511 AV

Aarias,

Don't be so hard on yourself, Aarias. I will delightfully conclude that your letter was fantastic to read. You'll be pleased to know that my father gave me his old letterbox in order for me to keep track of our correspondence. As soon as I could, I ripped open your letter in order to read - well more like decipher - your penmanship.

Pavi, that's your trader language? The special gesture craft. Is it true that your horses can actually understand you? I could have sworn that I heard that from one of the nearby stalls while my father traded his weapons. It's so amazing to have trade between our cultures. The Drykas really seem to know the land as well as thanks for them being a part of this world.

Between you and me, I would live in the planes if I could. It's so open and free! Oh, how lovely it will be. If only, if only. It's horrible to hear about death being a common occurrence. Have you just... learned to accept it? Do you even feel depression? (Oh how awful that must have sounded. Please don't take that the wrong way Aarias)

I am not ofended you would say such a thing. I cannot hunt, I can only swim, draw and write but my father has a friend who has been letting me, slowly, learn how to craft and cut jewels in order to make necklaces. If I gain an apprenticeship then you will be the first one I make something for. Something with a diamond since that's your clan right? Diamond warrior of the Endrykas.

Working on your penmanship is a marvelous idea! It's already fascinating to see your unique handwriting. You're very free with your penwork. It's nice to see a difference.

Attached is a little something I drew for you. Please keep it - I expect you to have it when I return. Speaking of returning, I am trying to see when my father will be going back to Endrykas. I would like to join him and see you very much.

How have you been? My days are filled with working with jewels. I really have a good feeling about my father's friend. Soon, I might be getting my own job and earning my own pay.

~ Cellia Del'illor ~

*Attached is this image without the X and depositphotos*

[Aarias]

Sent from Aarias Spring Spring 55nd 511 AV - Addressed to Lady Cellia Del'illor

((The previous OOC note of mine still applies for this message. ))

Dear Cellia,
An old letterbox sounds great! I am sure to say that it will keep our letters dry. It is a shame that letters only move so fast through "the air" - messengers are better than nothing at all. I thank those who have gotten this letter to you.

Make as much fun of my penmanship, as you call it, as you like Cellia. Getting my words across is all I care about. Yes, Pavi is our trader language as you so put it. Your ears hear what is correct. I am glad to know such a smart scholar. You always have your nose in a book, yes?

About the death. Yes it is a common so we accept it and give thanks. Knowing that the individual will go back to the web and come back to this life once more. Perhaps even as a mighty strider. Nevzor is doing very well on that note.

Your drawing is a masterpiece. If jewels don't work out then you can always fall back on your artistic eye and talent. Nothing here can depict such beauty though. Remember that time we were on that hill with the sunset? It was pretty, yes? Well, I can safely say that your picture should be sold and bought for many, many, Miza's. Gold ones!

You guess right, Cellia. I am from the Diamond clan. Receiving any gift from you will be an honor. Let alone getting an apprenticeship for something you are interested in is too. Honorable is what I mean. Or perhaps just nice. We both know that the world forces us to work so why not do our best in an art or talent we enjoy. Tack has been pushing me to get my own line of work.

I am happy to announce that I am learning to be a member of the Watch, Endrykas' special guard that moves around Cyphrus to help and guide people. Protect all from harm. His name is Weykan Nighstone, I believe, and I have just been assigned to him this week. From what Irre was telling me, he is quite strict but the harder they are the more their students learn. I never thought my heart could beat as fast as it did when I first saw him. He is a -giant- of a man! And I thought I was tall. No, Cellia, this man towers over me and he has power with his eyes to just glance at you and make you shudder. I wouldn't want to be fighting with his battleaxe on a rainy day.

It's dangerous and I would never ask you to come out here alone. Perhaps we can plan my Spring to be spent with you? A little time off shouldn't hurt. I am sure Master Nightstone will approve if I, in return, work hard and prove to him that I deserve a break. It will be small but yes. Would your family take me in?

If your father is already coming to Endrykas then perhaps you can come here and then I can take the run back with you and stay. You know traveling alone is a horrible idea.

You should really sell your pictures, Cellia. I am looking at your town as I write this and my mind is fluttering with what life a city holds. I rarely go to Riverfall, the city of the Akalak warriors. Perhaps we can go there sometime. I hear they export fine gemstones and wine. I hate to sound romantic, you know I am not a big romance Drykas.

However, I do find myself thinking of you often as the seasons roll on. Perhaps by the end of the Winter we may have a plan, a definite meeting.

I shall keep your picture with me, do not worry. It's beautiful as you are and I hope that man we briefly talked about in the summer is progressing. I am sorry I forgot to ask how that was getting on. I figured if good news should come, you would write about it to me.

You deserve to be happy, Cellia. Plus, you can always say you have a Drykas friend who will bring down the hammer if anything bad should occur.

Much care and be safe,

Aarias Stormshadow

[Cellia]

Sent: To Aarias Stormshadow - Fall 78th 511

*Letter was sent but never received by Aarias - perhaps someone found the missing letter and might deliver it back to Cellia or forward it to Aarias*

((I just wrote out a whole post and lost the whole thing Instead of writing it over again ... I'll just say the letter was lost. Uuuugh! It's so aggravating! ))

[Aarias]

Sent: To Cellia Del'illor - Winter 15th 511

Cellia,

I hope all is well with you since I have no received a letter in return. I pray that you are well and don't wish to stop our connection. Please tell me that is not the reason you did not return my last letter. Did I say something? Did it get lost? Please reply so that I may know you are well.

As far as going to see you, it will have to wait until you come back here and we can talk then I am sure. Perhaps I will come back with you but it all depends on if I get the o.k. from Nightstone. He has been pushing me and pushing me and I don't know if my body can handle it. The more work I put in, the more effort he thinks I am lacking.

Vacien is well and has been helping uncle Tack with whatever Tack chooses really. Weapons, running, armor, ... whatever. He has a great master who actually cares for him! I think that most days Nightstone wants to kill me so he doesn't have to deal with me anymore. It's not that I am a bad student, I put everything forward but he just finds faults and constantly wants to see more.

You're most likely traveling so I assume these letters will only be stacking up at your home. It takes a whole year to come to Endrykas. I wish it were closer.

I give all my protection to you on your travels,

Aarias Stormshadow

[Cellia]

Sent: To Aarias Stormshadow - Winter 35th 511

Aarias,

It saddens me to hear that my long and thought out letter did not reach your hands all the way in Endrykas. Do not worry yourself with thoughts that I have abandoned our friendship and correspondence. Your letters bring warmth to my heart. I can actually read them now since your writing has increased in quality exponentially!

I am sorry to say that I won't be coming back to Endrykas this season. When my father told me that I was to stay with my mother, I knew not to fight him on the subject. You know how you can tell certain things are amiss just by the look in someones eyes? Well, my father wished for my mother not to be lonely. You have to understand that I pleaded and pleaded with him but I know my place and I would not deny my mother my company.

With all my being I want to lash out at her one moment and then hug her the next. Please try and come and see us soon - I fear my father will never let me return to Endrykas if this becomes a pattern.

How has your training been? I hope to hear great improvement - has Nightstone or whoever lessened his grip on you?

Getting your letter has lessoned my stress. I did not get the apprenticeship that I was telling you about but what I did achieve is knowledge and a way to work with gems, cutting them and cleaning them, in a way I never thought possible. I'll have to go back and take care of father's shop as I usually do. Sitting on the stool and reading until the chime of the doorbell tolls, signaling someone has entered the shop or exited.

Please try and come to Zeltiva - the warmth and atmosphere will be a nice break from your rigorous studies,

My love, as always,

~ Cellia Del'illor ~

[Aarias]

Sent to Cellia Del'illor - Winter 60th 511

Cellia,

Your letter has been received this time with open arms and a happy smile. I am glad that my writing has increased, it is much appreciated. Tack has ordered me to stop scribbling down notes to you but I won't listen to him. He says that my time could be better spent working out my body and building my muscles but what he doesn't understand is that I am working out. My brain has to think of what to say and my hand has to write.

It is sad that you will not be joining me in Endrykas this year but I am sure that next year, instead of you coming to me, I will come to you. I can talk it over with Nighstone and I am sure he will let me go under some circumstances. You should be with your mother - it is important for you and I understand.

My training has improved indeed, I can feel my muscles grow tired less and less and under more work. It is a great feeling. I have even started to run to keep up my endurance. It is a great feeling to be fit - I crave the burning of fatigued muscles now. It is most strange.

You send your love to me now? Well, that is quite the change, Cellia. Are you falling in love with me through my letters? I would hope not - not that I wouldn't accept your love but ... letters are letters. Don't make a dream of a Drykas.

Aarias Stormshadow