Closed [Stories in The Snow] We Meet Again

[Svasra]

BumpedBumped just so Dragul would be able to find it with the edited post ^^

Timestamp: 65th of Winter, 512 AV Early morning

Once . . . long ago . . . before our memories and pens and papers, there was a romance so strong that ours today seem like candles compared to the sun.

It began with a man; a very simple, humble man. No one knew his name, but called him The Alchemist, his title and calling. He was young, and proud, the best Alchemist of his time or the next. At the beginning . . . no one really knew his beginning. His beginning was lost the moment he became to make a name for himself that would transcend ages and generations. Everyone stopped caring what he was in the past, and were only concerned about whom he was now and whom he would transform to be.

To have no beginning can be a curse and a blessing, but our tale is not to preach such lessons.

This Alchemist - did he even have a name except the calling we have given him? - traveled to Avanthal to expand his vast stores of knowledge. He had tomes and tomes of such writing, all in his own slanted script, constantly scribbling new beasts, new herbs, new plants. From everywhere!

Svasra paused where she was in writing out the newest legend she had heard from her parents, the one revolving around the popular Morwen's Orchid. Popular in the sense of the love the Vantha gave it, as the flower itself was uncommon within the wastes. The woman shifted her weight slightly, and recapped the ink jar. It was larger than others, and because of it took a bit longer to freeze and turn an uncomfortable texture in the cold of Avanthal. She had a while to write a bit before replacing it back in her pocket and close to her body heat. Wiping the bright green quill with reflective violet stripes - some type of bird she had forgotten about - on the snow, Svasra hummed quietly. She had built herself a small desk to the side of the road by packing snow in a general rectangle over her legs, and then freezing some ice as a top layer to create a hard surface. Sure, her ink bottle often ran away over the ice, but Svasra caught it before it fell.

She had only been nestled in the snow for about half a bell now, awaiting Dragul's arrival. They had agreed to meet once more, and this time would actually do something productive towards leaving. They were leaving anyways, though the prospect of it being together was still uncertain. She was early, of course, which meant she didn't expect Dragul for a little bit.

Am I being nuts? I am meeting with an Akalak that strode into a group of angry Vanthas without fear. Was that bravery, stupidity, or a need to prove himself to someone? To himself? Should I even trust him? Without heed though, Dragul's words returned as he spoke of meeting someone you couldn't help but trust. Svasra looked down at her hands where they clenched around her journal, and consciously loosened each finger. Of course I know that feeling, she thought in a tone that rung with sadness she didn't want to face. Svasra took a breath and shook her head, forcing the thoughts away yet again. Now was not the time to think about that.

Svasra rose to break her mind's thoughts, eyes melting from a dark brown to the gray-blue haze they normally possessed. She looked around herself in a fit of impatient, muttering, "Where is he?" even though if he arrived now he would be almost fifteen chimes early. A Vantha can hope though.

[Dragul]

The sun was low in the sky-as low as it got in this northern part of the world. Morning was progressing upon the people of Avanthal with a slow, determined pace, like that of a glacier. Shadows lingered about where the rising sun's light struck the sides of various buildings. Alleyways were covered in a blanket of shadows that would dissipate as the sun climbed higher in the sky. However for the time being they remained, and Dragul took full advantage of them. Yet each one he visited on his way to meet Svasra, only proved to aid him little in his investigation.

Each shadow only said the same vague thing "The Alchemist is but a legend, lost to time. The goddess may know, but on this her lips are surely sealed".

It infuriated him. The story he had heard, rang with an undercurrent of truth, the man-the Alchemist-had once existed, or still did for all he knew. However beyond that all he had were stories that he had heard in passing through his various stops along his way to Avanthal, and while he was in the city itself. However he held some hope, for he did know one thing, the Alchemist had not been in Avanthal for some time. For the time being though he decided to abandon his inquiry into the shadows regarding this matter, and hasten to his meeting with Svasra, which he realized he had a few moments left to arrive at without being late.

Finding his way through the scattering of shadows was easy enough, and their whispers lingered in his ears long after his passing. He had made a few friends among them since arriving in the city, and they had proved both helpful, and a nuisance, but he appreciated the latter none the less. His sight did not fail him through the shadows, thanks to the mark of Akajia, and just as he was about to arrive at the agreed upon meeting place he noticed Svasra. She was sitting with a makeshift desk of ice and snow over her lap, writing something. How he envied the Vantha and their ability to cope with the snow. Noticing her a short ways away, he wondered if she could see him through the thin veil of shadows. He imagined not, but to test this he concocted a delightful plan, and flashed a grin.

Stepping ever so lightly atop the compacted snow, he made his way onto the road, so that he was behind Svasra's 180 degree of sight. Then stealthily taking each successive step, he made his way up to where she was sitting. When he arrived behind her he said:

"Good morning Svasra. Have you found another story to tell the world?"

Note:Dragul speaking in common

[Svasra]

"Good morning Svasra. Have you found another story to tell the world?"

Svasra swung around, black silken hair flying in a circle as her wide eyes pinned the tall man behind her. Her hand was tensed around her journal as though she was going to wallop him with it, and weight leaned slightly forwards as she planned to run. Svasra's didn't surprise very pleasantly, as she learned working in the Tavern. At least there she normally expected it, which made it easier to not completely freak out. When innocently waiting for someone though - and not someone easily missed, she might add! - and have them just appear behind you! Well, that was a different story entirely. It took a long tense moment for Svasra to register this Akalak was not threat - well, no immediate threat - and relax.

Her eyes shifted into their usual blue-grey shade, tinged with amber, and flecked with pink, pale blue, and green. Svasra lowered her book the fraction it had been raised, and frowned at the young male. Though he was probably many years her senior, by Akalak terms, she judged him quite the youth. "Please don't do that," she said politely, inclining her head in a greeting, "I do not scare well." Staying calm in hectic situations, sure, being the touchstone people need during stress, alright, but reacting passively to surprises had never been Svasra's strong suit.

Clearing her throat lightly, Svasra smiled, her demeanor changing into one of warmth and friendliness as before. "Well then, shall we begin our research?" she inquired, showing a list she'd made on some scrap paper squirreled away from her father. "I made a list of things I wish to know by the end of today," she explained, nodding.
1. Map of Mizahar, with cities
2. Lethal wild animals within Kalea
3. Anything about the Spires
4. Ways to Lhavit
5. The Ethaefal
6. Legends within Lhavit
7. The Akalak

"I hope you can personally enlighten me on number seven," she chimed, walking up to the door and holding it open for the tall man. "Try not to bump your head on anything," she added with a giggle.

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

[Dragul]

Dragul watched as the whirling cascade of black hair accompanied the turning of Svasra's head. The tensing of her arms and the way she clutched the book told him that she was ready to swing the book, but he doubted she would follow through once she saw who it was. Sure enough she didn't. She did show an expression that one would give a child for scaring them too many times, which made him grin. She asked he not do that again, to which he said "I shall take your request under consideration".

Asking if he was ready for what their intended meeting was to entail, inclined him to nod. It was after all why he was there, for he hoped to convince Svasra to trust him, if she didn't already. If that failed however, gaining information was never a bad thing. However, as he scanned the list of things to do that she presented him, he wondered what she meant by the seventh. Was she referring to his race as a whole, or was she referring to him in particular?

Extending him the courtesy of holding the door open for him, he bowed humorously, and proceeded into the room. Bending low so as to not hit the top of the door frame which wasn't built for his height level. He wasn't to sure on the legends of Lhavit, though the prospect of them, and the secrets that loomed in the shadows of that city did serve to entice him. Turning to Svasra, he asked "What do you mean the Akalak? Do you mean my kind, or me in particular?"

He tried to recall his journey to Avanthal. All the towns, the cities he stopped at briefly on his way. He could put a few of those on a map if he had to, but from what Svasra eluded to, she was more interested in going West to Lhavit. He admittedly knew very little about the celestial Ethaefal, aside from their basics, and that they existed. He imagined that they could journey west across Kalea, past...Sultros was it...and Lhavit would be near the coast on the western shore of Kalea. He knew next to nothing about the Spires, aside from who ruled over them...the Jamoura.

While he gave her some time to contemplate his previous question he said "Well i suppose that we might as well start at the top of the list". He began to search for a map of mizahar, and a book on travel paths through Kalea.

Note:Dragul speaking in common

[Svasra]

Svasra made no comment as Dragul only 'took her request into consideration', scowling at the large man as he passed. Maybe next time she just wouldn't hold back hitting him with her book, that'd teach him! Stroking the leather spine of the journal, Svasra wondered what would give first - the Akalak or it? She decided perhaps she didn't want to find out, lest the spine of the book splinter by some ungodly amount of stiffness the Akalak just might possess.

Following after Dragul, Svasra paused as his gaze turned to hers. "What do you mean the Akalak? Do you mean my kind, or me in particular?" he asked. The formal man spoke in a Common slightly above her Conversational knowledge, placing words in a different order than casual speakers. Pausing a moment, Svasra puzzled out his meaning diligently. Though when she did, it elicited a sly grin to flicker over Svasra's previously dour expression. So he had caught onto the double meaning. Good. A smart companion was one that would keep them alive. And Svasra sane. While her eyes showed approval and appreciation, Svasra moved off with little to say but,
"Both."

The two made their way into the quiet library, in which Svasra nodded to the librarian with a smile. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in here . . . the woman waved absently as Dragul went off to begin at the beginning, while Svasra took the next one down the list. Though she didn't particularly wish to find this information, she realized its necessity.

Humming to herself a jaunty tune, Svasra's pale finger ran along the spine of the books, once she'd entered the section on wild animals, seeing a few books ranging as far as a thin book on Glassbeaks. It looked ancient though, and Svasra questioned how accurate it was now-a-days. On the cover it listed Glassbeaks as locals to the Cyphrus region, so Svasra replaced the book and moved on. She needed a book on Kalea. Svasra paused when her hand ran over a potential book, taking it out carefully. Wind Eagles: Carrying the Inarta on their Wings, hmm, not quite. Replacing it, Svasra moved on, returning to the 'K' portion in hopes of finding a book specific to the fauna in Kalea. Most of the books were more specific though, speaking of a city they were closest to. "Aah, Lhavit . . . well let's try that," she muttered, peering at a dusty volume. What Lays Within the Glass Cityshowed many of the fauna, and a bit of flora within the city and its neighbor the Misty Peaks. Yet, they seemed fairly docile compared to the Yukman Vaspira had spoken of. Svasra frowned, but took the book anyways as she continued searching. "Dangerous . . . Lethal?" The Surviving Tales. Svasra gingerly took out the thin book, and flipped open to the first page.

Within these few pages lay the accounts of the survivors. Survivors to some of man's worst enemies, and most mysterious beasts. Perhaps they were just figments of imagination. Or tales told around a fire. The foolish traveler would disregard the warnings given by those who had faced and lived to write down their story.

"That sounds pleasant," Svasra muttered to herself as she took the book along with the previous one back with her. Glancing down the aisles, Svasra wandered over to the geography section where she hoped to find her companion. She realized most of these books would be in Vani, perhaps a few in Common, and just hoped Dragul would be able to puzzle it out. Then again, maps were pretty self-explanatory, no? Finding Dragul a few chimes afterwards, Svasra smiled and held up the two books she managed to find. "Any luck?"

Note: Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common.

Storyteller NoteEdits are due to repairing the language discrepancies.

[Dragul]

Dragul found himself struggling with his Vani, more than he had anticipated. While most of the books were easy to garner intent from, many he had to take a moment to piece together. It proved annoying, and mildly tiresome. Yet he endured. He had made haste over to the geography section upon arriving in the library. He had taken the time away from Svasra to think over her trick question, which he was correct in guessing she had intended as a test, or at least a ploy. Clever girl.

Several stacks of various books line the shelves, some speaking of how to identify certain geologic features, and others discussing rocks, volcanoes, and mountains. Not quite what he was expecting. He browsed further along passing a book labeled The Rolling Plains of Cyphrus, which peaked his interest of his homeland, but was not what he was looking for. He found his way to the T section, and thumbed his way until he found a book named The Frozen Trails. Upon opening the book he read the opening, which was sadly in Vani, and it took him some time to piece together the intended intro.

Here...is a collection...various travel roads, and paths....in Taldera, and Kalea..

He kept the book, and moved on to finding a map. Eventually he found a stack of what at first appeared to be scrolls. Looking closer though he realized the the section was labeled Maps. He unwound a series of them, finding various detailed depictions of the immediate areas of various cities and towns. Eventually he found one that when he unrolled it, read at the top Mizahar: Post Valterran and sure enough when he looked upon it he saw each and ever city that was known to the denizens of Mizahar. However it begged the question, how did this come to rest in the frozen North of Taldera?

A few bells passed over his thoughts, and he noticed Svasra appear in his aisle. She asked him if he had had any luck, and held up her finds. He held up the book, and then unrolled the map of Mizahar.

"So far so good".

"To answer your question, my kind is a strong, prideful race. We excel at all things related to combat and physical strength. We live long, and bear children young, or so is the custom if one seeks to rise among the social tiers of Riverfall" his last statement was filled with a bit of resentment, that though at first may have seemed out of place, was spot on in his thoughts. "There is a duality that lives within our soul, and it often lives to define us as individuals, or destroy us. It is a war between light and darkness, some would say..." he trailed off wondering how long it had been since he had experienced his darker half taking over. He remembered it had been bad before his meeting with Akajia, but ever since then, his other half had been absent. This both relieved and worried him.

He tried to shake the thought loose, and resigned to his nature. "I'll tell you about me, perhaps once we have finished our task. I may let you know something no one save for shadows, and one individual knows".

Note:Dragul speaking in common

[Svasra]

"So far so good," Dragul said as he presented the map.
"Wow!" Svasra exclaimed, taking up the scroll eagerly as she gazed at it. "This is ... detailed," she said in an appreciative tone, though all the names where in Vani. She wondered just how much the Akalak knew, but didn't comment as he spoke once more.

"To answer your question, my kind is a strong, prideful race." I knew that, Svasra thought absently, though she nodded all the same, "We excel at all things related to combat and physical strength."
"I ... wouldn't have ... a guessed," Svasra said with a touch of sarcasm as she brushed a finger over Dragul's own defined muscles, and glanced at the cloak he wore, most likely hiding some sort of weaponry.
"We live long, and bear children young," Dragul continued, "Or so is the custom if one seeks to rise among the social tiers of Riverfall." His voice was draped in a pin-prick of resentment, and Svasra raised her brows slightly. He didn't elaborate though, nor did Svasra think he would. Yet another secret. How many did Dragul really have? How many would she be allowed to know? How many would she tell in return?

"There is a duality that lives within our soul, and it often lives to define us as individuals, or destroy us. It is a war between light and darkness, some would say..." Duality was a new word, one that made Svasra tilt her head slightly in confusion. From the rest of his speech though she began to realize it was related to something of two. This made Svasra's brows raise higher, and the Vantha seemed completely surprised by the fact. Which she was. A duality of the soul? What did that fully mean? Dragul didn't seem in any shape to continue though as he retreated in on himself, appearing thoughtful. Not wishing to interrupt his thoughts, Svasra's gaze flicked a dark brown as her own thoughts turned inwards, running over Dragul's words carefully.

Of the things he explained of his race, the duality was something new. Light and dark? Her understanding of the soul was a light much like the ones that wreathed above their heads at night, and within it lay the conscience and spirit. The soul was the casing of thought, love, and emotion. It may be processed in the brain, but the soul is where it was stemmed and fully understood. To have a duality though? Svasra frowned slightly in thought. She tried to puzzle it out herself, without turning to the Akalak as he lay within his own mind. Did he have two souls? Within one body? Her drumming fingers stopped as she stumbled upon the idea. "Two ... hearts, one body," she muttered under her breath, and cast a sidelong glance towards the tall cobalt man.

"I'll tell you about me, perhaps once we have finished our task. I may let you know something no one save for shadows, and one individual knows," Dragul finally said, drawing Svasra's attention fully back to him.
" Do I want to know ... a secret like that?" she asked with a raise of a brow, a small smile on her lips as she nodded all the same. "Perhaps I ... will tell you a secret that the only other person who knows is ... suspected as dead," she added quietly. Dead. It pained to say, but it was the truth. How many times did she have to chant quietly to herself the word, over and over, in order to accept it?

Shaking her head slightly, Svasra gestured to Dragul and moved to one of the tables. She spread out the map on one of them, and peered at it, head tilted. "I would have a long way to go," Svasra said quietly, "Maybe we." Dragul was right earlier, no matter how Svasra wished to deny it. Sometimes, you just ran into people you trusted. Was it how they met? His calm demeanor? Perhaps just the relaxed manner Svasra felt herself go when he was around, ever watchful. Her finger traced Wind Reach to Lhavit, crossing many miles. "I am ... supposing you have ... a horse," she added quietly, looking sideways at Dragul with a passive grey-blue gaze.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common."

[Dragul]

He realized, only after he had spoken, that not too many outside his race knew about the duality of the soul-aside from scholars. He noticed the pause it birthed in Svasra, and clearly she had not expected that. Still he had found a delightful sensation, soft, yet akin to a tingling frost across his muscles where the Vantha traced her finger. He smiled. He paused for a time while she took in all that he had said, and he occasionally caught wind of something that she muttered, but only slivers. She was conflicted by something, something in her past.

After a moment they made their way to a table and spread out the map so as to better see its content. Each city was labeled, but in Vani, yet he still managed to pick out a few that sounded and looked familiar by their placement. The detail was what-above all else-struck him upon seeing the map in its full splendor. He found Riverfall easy enough, and Avanthal wasn't hard to pinpoint. He traced with a finger, a rough outline of his journey, which all things told was a story in and of itself. Seemingly in time with his thoughts Svasra mentioned the distance with which she was faced in order to arrive at Lhavit. "Indeed such a journey shall take time. Many things can happen along the way. It is often along the road that one changes the most, and some of the greatest stories are discovered".

He missed something she whispered almost to herself. "Indeed i do have a horse, lest my arrival here would have been much longer delayed, and the journey all the more tiring and dangerous..." he paused "but yes i have a horse, a frostmarch in fact. Why?".

He paused recalling the rest of the list, "So what else do we need?".

He looked around figuring out where the next section would be that they would have to delve through in order to find the knowledge that they sought. Although he had never really preferred reading books for such knowledge he thought it would be wise. He had always preferred a hands on approach to knowledge, and ever since gaining his mark, the shadows-no matter how coy-had proven an invaluable source of knowledge.

Then a thought came to him, what did the shadows that lingered amongst this library know. Probably nothing useful, but perhaps something of interest that he could keep in mind.

Note:Dragul speaking in common

[Svasra]

As her pale finger ran from Wind Reach to Lhavit, Dragul's arm brushed hers as it traveled from Riverfall to Avanthal. She paused, and tilted her head, looking at the distance he went. He spoke in a straight-forward manner, with the mysterious air that intrigued the young storyteller, "Indeed such a journey shall take time. Many things can happen along the way. It is often along the road that one changes the most, and some of the greatest stories are discovered." Svasra had little to say in response to his words, and stared at the leagues Dragul had tread.
"How ... have you changed? What ... you ... have discovered?" she asked after a pause, though her tone was more rhetorical than looking for an answer. Peering at the man, Svasra blinked her ever-changing gaze. "You are such a ... mystery I cannot decide if it is a mask you wear ... or a simple habit," she added in a thoughtful voice. "I guess I will not know the difference ... until you begin to tell the secrets you ... hold." Svasra offered a brief smile, "Then, I guess ... I would share mine."

Turning her attention back to the map, Svasra hoped Dragul would follow suit. He made a comment on having a horse, and Svasra nodded acknowledgement, though gave no explanation. "You have come a ... far way with no one ..." she commented, tracing a straight line herself. "When ... do you then leave ... Riverfall?" she inquired, her tone conversational as they both retreated back to common ground that didn't have to do with privacy and the shadows. Addressing his question of their list though, Svasra added, "I have a bit on some animals. And that book I guess ... shows some trails. Let us find things about the ... Spires, and the Ethaefal," she continued with a small nod to herself. "I shall look for the Ethaefal." In more ways than one. Smiling, Svasra turned heel and disappeared back into the library's shelves, heading towards the section of races.

The Vantha felt more comfortable in the order of the library now, and scanned the titles quickly. A few had potential, and Svasra pulled them out. A Collection of Ethaefal Accounts was one of them; a familiar book Svasra recalled being briefly spoken over in school all those years ago. The Fallen was another, though it was quite tiny and appeared to be outdated, while The People of Glass had a colorful array of photos Svasra just could not resist. It showed various types of horns seen, depicted in careful paintings. She decided to take those and see how Dragul was fairing once more. If he found a few things, then they would sit down and look through the books they currently had.

Svasra wandered back towards the geography section, and peeked around the corner. Seeing Dragul with his back turned, Svasra's eyes lit up with excitement. She tried to stay quiet, creeping up carefully. When she was right behind him, Svasra went up on tip-toe, and grabbed onto his arm, peeking around him. "Find anything good?" she chirped brightly. Svasra had no idea if he scared as easily - most likely not at all - but she hoped to get some retaliation for the fright he gave her earlier. "I find some books too," she added swiftly, "We can look through them ... with each other."

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common."

[Dragul]

The silence that ensued was broken by Svasra's awed inquiries. How had he changed, he mused to himself? What discoveries did he make? One he was sure of was, that he detested loneliness. Despite the nature of his chosen profession and deity of worship he found it odd that he should prefer company to solitude. It was along the road with no one but Snowfall, and the occasional chatty shadow, that he realized company is what keeps one sane, it is what keeps one from forgetting.

"I suppose that i have realized the joylessness of solitude, no matter how much one may think they want it. I have realized the kind of paranoia one can come to know in prolonged solitude".

He was delighted when she said that she thought of him as a mystery, which meant that he was doing good in his attempt to remain as such. A mystery to the world around him, save for those within whom he placed trust. "I am glad that i can still maintain that ability of mystery, for it is something that takes years of cultivation". He was also delighted by the prospect of Svasra telling him her secrets and stories, and he smiled like a dog presented with the prospect of a bone. It was an innocent smile, despite its mildly devious nature.

"I left Riverfall on the first day of Fall. I have traveled far, some would say to far, but i had to show my determination..." he paused thinking back to that night "i had to show her how far I'd go" at the vague reference to his goddess his hand went briefly to the mark on his back, and he wondered ever so briefly, where her focus rested at the moment. Was it on him? Was it elsewhere?

Svasra showed him what she had found, and after a moment of brief deliberation, they had new items which needed to be procured. Svasra went away in pursuit of books on the Ethaefal, and he turned looking for something of the Spires. However he spent a good deal of time, and found very little, he remembered a scroll back by the maps that had been a brief detailing of the immediate area, and a smattering of the cities geography itself. Before he made his way back however he stumbled across a book, in his broken Vani, that's title read The City of Trees. He skimmed to the intro but couldn't make out anything more than a brief account...of...Spires...city of the Jamoura. He grabbed the book and made his way back to the geography section, where the table was, as well as the map he was looking for.

He had his back turned to the aisle, and so he did not see the approaching figure. However their footsteps while muffled were faintly audible in the silence of the library. His hand went to the small of his back, within his cloak, where one of the Lakans was hidden away. His hand caressed the handle. He almost made to pull it loose when Svasra grabbed his other arm, and leaned over him looking at what he'd found-it was a pleasent sensation, her tocuh. He relaxed his hand before she was the wiser, and showed her the book, and the map which he had just located with a smile.

They went to the table and he gave her the book, and began rolling out the map of the Spires. "What interest have you with the Spires?"

Note:Dragul speaking in common